Inspirations - Tuesday, January 1, 2019

May anything negative from the past year, be swept away by the Blessings of the New Year.

Henry Ford

Author, Speaker, Consultant

Publisher of VISIONS Newsletter

Inspirations - Monday, December 31, 2018

The most important thing about getting somewhere is starting right where we are.

Bruce Barton - 1886-1967 - Author

Inspirations - Friday, December 28, 2018

Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.

Peter F. Drucker - 1909-2005
Management Consultant - Educator - Author

Inspirations - Thursday, December 27, 2018

It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success.

Lionel Messi
Argentine Professional Football Player

Inspirations - Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Go the extra mile, it's never crowded.

Jay Shetty
Storyteller and Viral Content Creator

Inspirations - Tuesday, December 25, 2018

During 2019 may you stay tuned to the still small voice of your Creator, and realize your  passion and purpose.

Wishing you and your family Joy, Peace and Happiness at Christmas, throughout the Holiday Season, and during the coming year.

Please join us in prayers for a more peaceful world.

Henry & Dianne Ford

Inspirations - Monday, December 24, 2018

Never believe someone who tells you that you don't deserve what you want.

Taylor Swift - Singer - Songwriter

Inspirations - Friday, December 21, 2018

It isn't always a change of scenery needed to make life better. Sometimes it simply requires opening your eyes.

Richelle E. Goodrich - Author

Inspirations - Thursday, December 20, 2018

Appreciation is a wonderful thing; it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.

Francois-Marie Arouet de Voltaire
1694-1778, Writer and Philosopher

Inspirations - Wednesday, December 19, 2018

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.

Stephen Grellet
1773-1855, Missionary

Inspirations - Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Painting pictures in our mind of what we want serves as the foundation for greater living and greater relationships.

Mary Morrissey

Inspirations - Monday, December 17, 2018

Kindness is an inner desire that makes us want to do good things even if we do not get anything in return. It is the joy of our life to do them. When we do good things from this inner desire, there is kindness in everything we think, say, want and do.

Emmanuel Swedenborg - 1688-1772
Scientist, Philosopher and Theologian

Inspirations - Friday, December 14, 2018

The easiest thing in the world is to come up with an excuse not to do something. I found that the most important thing in life is to stop saying, I wish, and to start saying, I will.

David Copperfield
Magician

Inspirations - Thursday, December 13, 2018

Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.

Og Mandino
1923-1996, Author

Inspirations - Wednesday, December 12, 2018

It's not what you do once in a while; it's what you do day in and day out that makes the difference.

Jenny Craig - Weight Loss Expert

Inspirations - Tuesday, December 11, 2018

I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.

Maya Angelou
1928-2014, Author and Poet

Inspirations - Monday, December 10, 2018

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.

Henry David Thoreau - 1817-1862
Poet - Philosopher

Inspirations - Friday, December 7, 2018

It was an egregious violation of the American Constitution. We were innocent American citizens, and we were imprisoned simply because we happened to look like the people who bombed Pearl Harbor. It shows us just how fragile our Constitution is.

George Takei

-

May we never forget Pearl Harbor, or repeat any of its injustice.

Henry Ford - Author, Speaker, Consultant 

Inspirations - Thursday, December 6, 2018

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.

Maya Angelou - 1928-2014
Poet - Singer

Inspirations - Wednesday, December 5, 2018

In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit.

Anne Frank - 1929-1945 - Diarist

Inspirations - Tuesday, December 4, 2018

I would rather be able to appreciate things I cannot have than to have things I am not able to appreciate.

Elbert Hubbard - 1856-1915
Writer - Publisher - Artist

I Am So Glad I Did Not Eat That Donut

I Am So Glad I Did Not Eat That Donut!

Proof That One Should Do What They Say

By: Henry Ford at www.successisyou.org

On November 18th I attended a Book Signing, where I had the good fortune to meet Margaret Bernstein, Director of Advocacy & Community Initiatives at WKYC Channel 3 - Cleveland.  Margaret is a former newspaper columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and is the author of several books, including Donuts with Dad.  Her competence, high visibility and warm personality has resulted in many fans and followers.

As I was leaving the Book Signing, Margaret offered me a donut from her Display Table.  After refusing several times, I finally decided to take one to go; and commented to Margaret that “I will take this to my wife.”  Fast forward to December 2nd. Margaret Bernstein has a Book Signing at my church, Mt. Zion of Oakwood Village. This time good fortune (and early arrival) caused us to cross paths as she was taking books into the church.  Once inside the church, I introduced Margaret and her daughter to my wife Dianne. After exchanging the customary “so nice to meet you” comments; Margaret asked Dianne, “Did you enjoy the donut I sent you?” Dianne’s response was; “I sure did, and Thank You!”

I was completely floored, but managed to ask Margaret; “Are you trying to get me busted?”  Of course, there was laughter from all involved; but only because I had been sincere and truthful in my intentions.  The obvious “what if” in this scenario is “what if I had eaten that donut?” Chances are that I may have felt the need to make up a lie (remember we’re in church), to cover up insincerity.  My credibility would have been weakened with Margaret, her daughter; and OH YES, with my wife Dianne. Even the great taste of a Glazed Donut cannot remove the bad aftertaste of insincerity.

Two  Facts From My Experience:
Margaret Bernstein has a great memory.
You should get your own donut and give it to someone you love (CLICK HERE!)

Inspirations - Monday, December 3, 2018

Genius might be the ability to say a profound thing in a simple way.

Charles Bukowsko - 1920-1994
Poet - Novelist

Inspirations - Friday, November 30, 2018

Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity.

Og Mandino - 1923-1996 - Author

Inspirations - Thursday, November 29, 2018

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one.

Pocahontas

Inspirations - Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley.

Theodore Roethke - 1908-1963 - Author

Inspirations - Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Your dream is a reality that is waiting for you to materialize. Today is a new day! Don't let your history interfere with your destiny. Learn from your past so that it can empower your present and propel you to greatness.

Steve Maraboli
Author and Speaker

Inspirations - Monday, November 26, 2018

Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.

Alexander Pope - 1688-1744 - Poet

Inspirations - Friday, November 23, 2018

The words you speak become the house you live in.

Hafiz - 1325-1390 - Poet

Happy Thanksgiving 2018

Reflections of  November 22, 1963

On November 22, 1963, a female co-worker, after cheering the death (by assassination) of John F. Kennedy, a president, war hero, husband, and father; turned to me, laughed, and asked, "Well, what are you people going to do now?"  Each day I answer that question in my compassion toward others.  

 - From Page 150 of Reflections and Perspectives by Henry Ford - 

Giving Thanks Today that we can rise above circumstances, surroundings, poisonous minds and tongues, and other forms of ignorance and hate. YES WE CAN!

Happy Thanksgiving

Inspirations - Thursday, November 22, 2018

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

John F. Kennedy
May 29, 1917 - November 22, 1963
35th President of the United States

Inspirations - Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.

Norman Vincent Peale - 1898-1993
Minister - Author

Inspirations - Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.

Oprah Winfrey
Actress - Producer - Talk Show Host

Inspirations - Monday, November 19, 2018

When we recognize that we don't have all the time in the world, we see our priorities most clearly.

Laura Carstensen - Actress

Inspirations - Friday, November 16, 2018

In the midst of winter, I found there was within me an invincible summer.

Albert Camus - 1913-1960
Author - Journalist

Inspirations - Thursday, November 15, 2018

Success isn't just about what you accomplish in your life; it's about what you inspire others to do.

Unknown

Inspirations - Wednesday, November 14, 2018

I never dreamed for success, I worked for it.

Estee Lauder - 1908-2004
Entrepreneur

Inspirations - Tuesday, November 13, 2018

You've always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.

Glinda - Wizard of Oz

Inspirations - Monday, November 12, 2018

Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strength.

Corrie Ten Boom - 1892-1983
Watchmaker

Inspirations - Friday, November 9, 2018

Storms make trees take deeper roots.

Dolly Parton - Singer - Actress - Author

Inspirations - Thursday, November 8, 2018

Sometimes the light you see at the end of the tunnel is a mirror reflecting your smile.  Keep smiling and the light gets brighter.

Henry Ford
Author, Speaker, Consultant
Publisher of VISIONS Newsletter

Inspirations - Wednesday, November 7, 2018

When you can do the common things of life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.

George Washington Carver - 1864-1943
Botanist - Inventor

Inspirations - Tuesday, November 6, 2018

The way you vote, the way you live, the way you protest, the pressure you bring to bear on your government, has an impact way beyond your borders. That is your privilege, and your burden.

J.K. Rowling

From Harvard Commencement Speech, 2008

Inspirations - Monday, November 5, 2018

If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.

Zig Ziglar - 1926-2012
Author, Motivational Speaker

Inspirations - Friday, November 2, 2018

The soul is stronger than its surroundings.

William James - 1842-1910
Psychologist

Inspirations - Thursday, November 1, 2018

It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.

John Wooden - 1910-2010
Basketball Player

Inspirations - Wednesday, October 31, 2018

The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.

William James - 1842-1910
Psychologist

Inspirations - Tuesday, October 30, 2018

How you see your future is much more important than what has happened in your past.

Zig Ziglar - 1926-2012
Author, Speaker

Inspirations - Monday, October 29, 2018

Strength does not have to be belligerent and loud.

Russell Brand
Comedian, Actor

Inspirations - Friday, October 26, 2018

One of the best lessons you can learn in life is to master how to remain calm.

Catherine Pulsifer - Author