Holding people to the responsible course is not demeaning; it is affirming. Proactivity is part of human nature, and, although the proactive muscles may be dormant, they are there. By respecting the proactive nature of other people, we provide them with at least one clear, undistorted reflection from the social mirror.

Of course, the maturity level of the individual has to be taken into account. We can't expect high creative cooperation from those who are deep into emotional dependence. But we can, at least, affirm their basic nature and create an atmoshere where people can seize opportunities and solve problems in an increasingly self-reliant way.

Stephen R. Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
pp. 76

In order to make the best and the most of our lives, the law of success requires us to invest our whole minds and our whole souls and our whole selves in our own destiny. No obstacle can for long obstruct the path of a whole-souled, whole-minded, enthusiastic, industrious person.

Stirling W. Sill
The Best of Stirling W. Sill
pp. 45

One reason why teen-agers prefer sleeping on the top bunk: they can look down at the floor and get an ariel view of their wardrobe.

Robert Orben
Reader's Digest
July 1996, pp. 180

The happiness we are looking for, I've learned, is already inside of us. Our mission is to discover our own individuality, uniqueness and goodness and to affirm the goodness and wonder of other people. We must love each other unconditionally, without thinking: 'What's in it for me?' We must love others for their own good and not ours. If we do good things for others unselfishly, they will love us in return, which will make us feel wonderful about ourselves -- and that's happiness.

Dennis Wholey
Parade Magazine
Gaining Control
pp. 46

The ability to subordinate an impulse to a value is the essence of the proactive person. Reactive people are driven by feelings, by circumstances, by conditions, by their environment. Proactive people are driven by values -- carefully thought about, selected and internalized values.

Stephen R. Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
pp. 72

Many of our everyday decisions are based upon information about ourselves which has been stored as "truth"--but which is really a combination of hearsay from family, friends, and peers, actual past experiences, and information we read, listen to, and view on television.

Denis Waitley
Seeds of Greatness
pp. 56

Everyone has problems. This is because you and everything in the universe are in a constant process of change. Change is an inexorable natural law. What is important to you is that your success or failure to meet the challenges of change are dependent upon your mental attitude.

Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone
Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude
pp. 81