Things I learned from a few Americans

Obama

1.) Audacity of hope - Not blind or ignorant optimism, but hope rather than cynnicism in the face of difficulties, darkness and difficult times. It takes strength to do this.

2.) Everybody, your friends and your team, have faults and will continue making new mistakes. Don't dwell and waste your limited time and effort on the negatives or irritability of others. It can hinder you from progressing with your work or task at hand.

3.) Abraham Lincoln's quote - "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Don't let differences in opinion, ideas and conflict divide you and your family especially when you have the same goals and vision. Don't blame each other. Work on your own faults and weaknesses instead. I know this could sound simple but it takes real effort, development and strength of character to do this.

4.) The most dangerous threat or enemy in a country, team or family is not found outside but rather inside of the country, team or family. This dangerous threat or enemy will try to divide us amongst ourselves. When united, we stand a chance to face our enemies. When divided, our enemies need not face us at all. Remember the stories in 3 kingdoms or just imagine going against a basketball team that's fighting against each other.

5.) True greatness of America is not in its tall sky scrapers, military power or the size of its economy but the pride is based on a very simple premise summed up in a declaration made over 200 years ago: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Come to think of it, this mentality came first before the sky scrapers, military power and big economy.

John Templeton

1.) Stay ahead by working hard.

2.) Hard work is a gift from God. An ABILITY given to us.

3.) Use your time wisely by keeping yourself preoccupied with the few important things only.

4.) We all have limitations including our time, our effort and our mind. We can only do one thing at a time most of the time.

5.) Like weeds, distraction and excess comes to us continuously. We must always discard them. Keep it simple.

6.) When you rule your mind, you rule your world.

7.) You cannot have peace of mind without strength of mind.

8.) Happiness comes not from having a certain set of circumstances but from having a certain set of attitude. I guess that explains how a poor handicapped man can be happier than a rich athlete.

Ben Franklin

-Read Poor Richard's Almanack!

Some favorite quotes:

1.) If you'd be wealthy, think of saving more than getting (a distraction): The Indies have not made Spain rich, because her outgoes equal her incomes. (This is harder than it sounds)

2.) You can die quicker by being too lazy than working too hard.

3.) Necessity never made a good bargain. Don't be in that position.

4.) Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools that have not wit enough to be honest.

5.) Wink at small faults - remember thou hast great ones.

6.) Little Strokes, fell great Oaks.

7.) An empty sack cannot stand upright.

8.) Work on getting rid of one habit a year. After 10 years, you'll be a very changed man.

9.) Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure, when he is really selling himself to it.

10.) He that lives well is learned enough.

11.) He that pursues two hares at once does not catch one and lets the other go. One thing at a time.

12.) Path to wealth - Industry, Savings and Discernment.