Monday, January 26, 2009

Issue 499 - The Desiderata?

Hi,
I hope all is well with you.

Regular readers will know very well that for certain issues of the newsletter I like to publish The Desiderata.

It's a piece written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s and it was first shown to me around 6 years ago.

I love it - I think each phrase or sentence can provide huge inspiration for your day, and the piece as a whole is a great attitude to have in life.

I've published it many times over the years I've written The Great Gordino newsletter, and Issue 500 is as good a time as any.

So why am I using it for Issue 499?

Well quite simply I have something else I want to write for Issue 500, but I wanted to keep up with the idea of using The Desiderata as I think it's so good, so here it is:

The Desiderata, by Max Ehrmann 1920s
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
********************************************************************
Ok, that's it for this week,

'Til Next Time,
Health & Happiness,
Gordon
gordon@gordonbryan.com

Transform Your Life in 21 Days:
http://www.transformyourlifenow.com/

Monday, January 19, 2009

Issue 498 - 3 Black Men To Go Down In History

Hi,
I hope Monday finds you well.

So, what would you call your newly started record company if you were in a city dominated by the motor industry, nicknamed Motor City?
How about taking the city's other nickname - Motown?

Hmm, not bad, and that's what an ex-boxer did with $800 he borrowed.
The man was Berry Gordy, the record company was, er, Motown, and it celebrates 50 years.

One of the most popular and influential record labels of all, it was started by a black man.
Is that relevant?
Well yes, because at the time the US was still heavily segregated, and for him to create something that would cross into mainstream culture was something which contributed to a movement of change in the US.

50 years ago also saw the time of Martin Luther King, who's birthday is celebrated in the US today. He gave his 'I have a dream' speech by the monument in Washington and a day after MLK Day, across the way from the Monument at the Capitol Building, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President, the first black President.

'America needs to be more humble', 'I want to be a uniter, not a divider' words of a President-elect which sound good, and uttered by George W Bush.

There is a feeling that Obama has a chance to make change, and he will have his work cut out.
The U.S. has maybe 20% of population under the poverty line, and without health cover.
Let's hope Russia doesn't choose inauguration day to invade Ukraine.

Let's hope Obama gets the chance to settle into the job - his life will change tomorrow.
Will yours?
Mine will be busy at the curling rink.

The names of Martin Luther King, Berry Gordy and Barack Obama show what can be achieved on massive scales - just think what you could do on a smallers scale in your own life?

Ok, that's it for this week.

'Til Next Time,
Health & Happiness,
Gordon
gordon@gordonbryan.com

Transform Your Life In 21 Days:
http://www.transformyourlifenow.com

Monday, January 12, 2009

Issue 497 - Remembering David Vine

Hi,
I hope everything is ok where you are.
I heard today that David Vine has died

David Vine is a sports commentator that was a familiar voice and face to me for many years.
He commentated on many sports, from snooker to skiing, and was lucky enough in a fiercely competitive business to have a hugely successful career.

Way back when I can remember watching Ski Sunday on the BBC, every Sunday during the winter months as David Vine described the donwhillers hurtling themselves down the slopes which look nothing like as steep on TV as they actually are.

It makes me think that had the internet been around back then, it would have been possible to make money from downhill skiing, just as it is today, just as it will be next winter.

That's one of the beauties of sport - the ongoing, never ending story.
It means you simply will never run out of source material that you can turn into profit.
I write about in my 'Make Money From Sport' book:
http://www.gordonbryan.com/sport

All you need to know is the techniques to use, and then apply them. After that it's up to you, but as more and more people wonder what the future holds as the economic woes worsen further, look to sport for a reassuringly consistent base to tap into for profit.

If you're wondering how to make money from downhill skiing, just ask me, and I'll tell you.
There'll be no secrets, just a formula to follow. I only charge $7 for the guide, which is about the price of a coffee and doughnut, so why not sit me down, pay for my coffee and doughnut and just ask me!

You can get the guide here:
http://www.gordonbryan.com/sport

Ok, that's it for this week, I'm actually having a day off from the curling rink today, so I'm making the most of relaxing while I can!

'Til Next Time,
Health & Happiness,
Gordon
http://www.transformyourlifenow.com
http://www.gordonbryan.com/sport
gordon@gordonbryan.com

Monday, January 05, 2009

Issue 496 - Leaping Too Soon Into 2009?

Hi,
I hope Monday finds you well.

Did you know that there was a leap second in 2008?
I didn't, until right at the end of the year, when apparently the countdown should have been 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, er 1 again, Happy New Year!

It's all to do with the speed that the Earth travels around the sun, yada yada geeky science, but the extra second needed to be added to keep everything in synch.

I was reminded of it today as I walked around Tesco's and saw the hot cross buns on sale foe Easter.
Crikey, we're still in the 12 days of Christmas!
Nowhere is there any sign in the commercial world of it still being Christmas. I've been saying for many years that this is a missed opportunity, but like most things I say, I appear to be on my own.

The extra second we had in 2008 begs the question of how you used it.
We all get the same amount of seconds, we just choose to spend them in different ways.

So as we leap into 2009 (geddit?) I don't suggest you work out how you will spend every second, because you will be spending all the seconds working out how to spend the next ones.
No, that would just be silly...

What I *do* suggest though, is that you work out how you will spend the year, the months.
What will you do, and why?
What is the end goal?

Will you spend 2009 reacting to circumstance, or dictating your own future?

And to think fairly important idea came from a stroll around Tesco's. I nearly told the girl at the checkout, but let's just say at 8pm in the evening she didn't look in the mood!

Ok, that's it for today, I'm off to check my watches.

'Til next time,
Health & Happiness,
Gordon
http://www.transformyourlifenow.com
gordon@gordonbryan.com