Key to Success - Zig Ziglar

To Cross the Bridge to a New Life Use SMART Goals

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tree Covered in Ferns at Hillsborough River State Park

What Lies Behind Us and
What Lies Before Us
Are Tiny Matters Compared
To What Lies Within Us
       Ralph Waldo Emerson

The surface of this tree may be covered by frilly ferns. Some may view it as disfigured, while others may see it as beautiful. But its strength comes from its inner trunk.

Prosperity and Abundance: Luke 11:9-10

Sand Dollar: Lido Key, Photo by Bruce G. Smith

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; Seek, and you will find; Knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Luke11:9-10

Whenever I find a Sand Dollar on the beach, I see it as a sign of good luck. It is such a simple creature, yet it is intricately designed. I also leave it in place to remind me that items flow in and and out of my life. They are meant to be enjoyed, but not harmed or hoarded.

Happy Birthday Norman Vincent Peale

The controversial minister Norman Vincent Peale founded the modern inspirational movement. He wrote the book, The Power of Positive Thinking, and initiated a movement across the World. He combined psychology and religion to help people overcome their fears and achieve success.

A controversial minister because some Evangelical Christians do not find his teachings Christian, but instead consider him a heretic and a cult leader. Several psychologists also have spoke out against his teachings and consider them dangerous. The Wikipedia post for Norman Vincent Peale came across as extremely biased, and the entire post was dedicated to refuting Peale’s teachings.

However more people accept and embrace his positive thinking than ridicule it. He has his detractors, but don’t let them stop you from reading his words of wisdom. In the media today and among our friends and family, negative thoughts abound. Turning these thoughts around, and having a positive outlook on life would fix a lot of the World’s perceived problems. That is not to say one should bury his head in the sand like an ostrich, and ignore real problems, but things are often not as bad as they seem.

The Power of Positive Thinking published in 1956 has sold over 5 million copies. Throughout the text Peale uses bible verses and psychology to assist readers in obtaining a positive viewpoint on life and give them strength. In doing so, he seeks to minimize a person’s fears, worries and stress so the individual can pursue positive actions and outcomes. It is difficult to find a solution when you see the problem as insurmountable.

Peale wants people to live a vigorous and vital life. He wants people to pursue their dreams energetically with hope rather than wallow in fear. Hope motivates people while fear saps a person’s strength and desire.

Norman Vincent Peale also started Guideposts magazine to help people find comfort and hope. It is still a thriving entity fully accessible on social media. It offers prayers and inspirational messages throughout the day to help with daily difficulties.

He was born May 31, 1898 so on what would have been his 117^th birthday enjoy life, explore and be energized.

Review of Disney's Tomorrowland: an Optimist's View of the Future

Synopsis: In Disney's Tomorrowland the world is getting ready to self destruct, and everyone is willing to let it go. Except Casey Newton, she refuses to accept its demise. She wants to fix the problem, and she drags the other characters along for the ride. Tomorrowland has time travel, dimensional travel, fight scenes, robots and androids, and a little bit of steam punk. The dimensional travel mixes Jules Verne’s space ship with Dr. Who’s phone booth.

Review: Tomorrowland communicates a positive theme. The message throughout the movie is one person can make a difference. It is a decent movie, 4 stars. The acting, story line and message are good. Although, the beginning felt too much like a pre-ride movie at Epcot. Once you get past the introduction, the movie perks up.

George Clooney plays Frank. He is the one that created the mess by making something he shouldn’t have. Frank is a bit cranky and disillusioned, and is happy living off the grid.

Britt Robertson plays the protagonist, Casey Newton. She is the optimist, and runs counter current to the rest of the characters. She believes things can change, and the world can be fixed. It is not doomed.

Raffey Cassidy plays Athena in the movie, and she does a great job. She recruits Frank and Casey for the utopian society. She reminds me a bit of Hayley Mills from the original Parent Trap.

The antagonist is David Nix, played by Hugh Laurie. He would rather not fix the world's problems. He doesn't feel that people in their current state are worth rescuing.

Brad Bird directed the movie and helped write it. He also did The Incredibles and Ratatouille. I think, his goal was to create a movie reminiscent of a 1950 children’s matinee, and he was successful. It is a good children’s science fiction matinee movie. It has some laughs, some action, and emotional pull. It is worth seeing.

Prayer for Departed Veterans