Articles by Michael A. Verdicchio on ArticleSnatch.com

What You See Is What You Get

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500

I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "What you see is what you get." It has been used for a long time, in a variety of ways including song lyrics. It is popular today with computer tools. The letters of the phrase form the acronym, "WYSIWYG." In referring to computers, " WYSIWYG," or "what you see is what you get," is used to describe a system in which content during editing appears very similar to the final product. So, how about when you look into the mirror? Who do you see? Just who is that person? Have you ever just stopped for a few minutes and stared into the mirror? I'm not talking about fixing your hair or adjusting your clothing. I'm talking about staring right into the mirror. Who do you see? What do you think of that person? Do you like who you see? Is that person headed for success, or failure in life? Is that person just getting by day after day? What has that person accomplished that is impressive to you? Do you admire that person? Now I am sure that there are a number of people that you admire. **End Summary** Topics: WYSIWYG]]> mirror]]> failures]]> shortcomings]]> weaknesses]]> admiration]]> belief system]]> emotion]]> thoughts]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Listen to one of Michael A. Verdicchio's Pep Talks at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com/christians1free.html Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html . Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

The Ham Rut

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500

I heard a story quite a while ago about a deliciously cooked ham. The dinner guests just raved about how good that ham tasted. Finally, one of the guests asked her host what her secret was to preparing such a succulent tasting ham! She replied that her special secret was that just before cooking, she trimmed off both ends of the ham. "And why do you do that," the inquisitive guest asked? The proud host then explained, "Well, that's how my mother taught me to cook it. That's the way I have been doing it for years, and it always comes out delicious." Not satisfied, the curious one pressed on. "But why did she trim off both ends of the ham? How in the world does that make it taste so good?" "I really don't know," her guest replied. "I've never thought about it. But I'll ask her, and I will get back with you." The next day she called her mom and asked why she trimmed the ends off the ham before cooking, hoping to get some secret cooking answer. But her mom was no help at all. **End Summary** Topics: Ham]]> rut]]> change]]> self educate]]> improve]]> thinking]]> skills]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Listen to one of Michael A. Verdicchio's Pep Talks at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com/christians1free.html Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html . Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

Where Are You Today? Where Will You Be Tomorrow?

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

In the springtime of 1975, I heard a statement that just flabbergasted me! It really blew me away! It was indeed one of the moments in life that just stops you dead in your tracks. The statement I heard had two parts to it. The first part was, "You are today where you are because of your believing." It was bold and confronting. Initially, I didn't like it. Was it really saying that I am today in life where I am because of my believing? If it was true, it would simply eliminate any excuses that I had for my life. That would put all the responsibility for my life on me. That would mean that "where I was" in my life was because of me! That challenged me to be logical for a change instead of emotional. When you think about it honestly, if that statement is not true, then we are today where we are because of what? Is it because of everybody else? Is it because of the economy? Is it because of limited education? Are any of us responsible for our own actions anymore? **End Summary** Topics: Belief system]]> believing]]> take charge]]> today]]> tomorrow]]> mind]]> heart]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Listen to one of Michael A. Verdicchio's Pep Talks at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com/christians1free.html Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html . Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

How Many Fire Hydrants Do You See?

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

I did this silly exercise once. I did it because I knew it would work and I thought it would be a good example to share with others. But, I didn't want to share it until I had personally tried it. So, I tried it, and I have shared it on occasion. This exercise shows very vividly how our minds work. Some refer to this process as,"The Law of Attraction." Now, the "Law of Attraction" also has other names like, The Law of Magnetism, or, The Law of Vibration. But whatever people choose to call it, everyone utilizes this universal law. And, by the way, this is not just a "New Age" theory. This law has been around a long time. I read once that the ancient Egyptians were aware of it. In his book, "As a Man Thinketh," James Allen cites a verse from the book of Proverbs as his launching point to discuss this powerful principle: "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Just like the Law of Gravity, the Law of Attraction works, time and time again. It can bring about positive results and it can also bring about negative results. **End Summary** Topics: Law of Attraction]]> Law of Vibration]]> Law of Magnetism]]> positive]]> negative]]> poverty]]> poor]]> success]]> successful]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Listen to one of Michael A. Verdicchio's Pep Talks at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com/christians1free.html Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html . Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

Stop Saying That!

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Standing by the desk in my office one day, I suddenly blurted out, “I am really getting frustrated over this!” And I was, too! About five or six seconds after saying that, I caught myself, and said, “I need to stop saying that! Why in the world do I want to admit, agree, confess and focus on all the frustration that I am having here?” I knew that by putting my focus and attention on that, I would simply attract more frustration. After a short prayer, I decided to stop thinking about the dissatisfaction I was experiencing, and instead start telling myself that a breakthrough was coming soon. I simply made a decision to change what I was thinking. Once I changed my thoughts, my attitude changed, and I was in a much better mood. Emotions follow our thinking. That’s the way we were designed and built. Try it out. Close your eyes and think for a few minutes on your most favorite food. See it in your mind, taste it, go ahead have another bite! Wow, that is good! And just how do you feel after doing that? Are you angry and upset? No. **End Summary** Topics: frustration]]> success]]> attitude]]> positive]]> negative]]> defeating]]> change]]> failure]]> defeat]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio has inspirational and motivational “Pep Talks” on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html . Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

Simple Keys To Being A Winner!

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

When was the last time you ran into someone who said, “I do not want to succeed at anything in my life?” I don’t know of anyone who does not want to be successful. You really don’t hear people going around saying, “I want to be a failure in life!” It's quite the opposite; almost everyone truly desires to be successful in their life. Many people don’t think that they will be successful, but still, they would like to be. Those who have not yet been talked out of their dreams and goals would still like to see them come to pass in their lives. You and I both know that not everyone achieves their goals. Some do and some do not. Some will win and some will lose; some will fail while others succeed. Why is that? Some people have a desire to do something or to be somebody. They can see where they would like their life to be. But, they never really get started on the journey. For them it is an attitude of, “Well, that would sure be nice.” **End Summary** Topics: Success]]> goals]]> dreams]]> visions]]> Kentucky Derby]]> desire]]> fail]]> failure]]> winners]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio has inspirational and motivational “Pep Talks” on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html . Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

How Do You Define Prosperity?

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

The United States of America is often described as a “land of opportunity and prosperity.” Many businesses and companies in the USA have documented a “prosperous year.” In fact, over the centuries, many individuals from the United States of America have been called, “very prosperous.” But the question I have for you is, “When you hear the word, ‘prosperity,’ what does that mean to you?” When you hear that word, what do you think of? Perhaps a better question might be, “Are you a prosperous person?” Most people equate the word “prosperity” and the phrase "being prosperous" with money. In other words, the more money you have, the more prosperous you are. If you are lacking money, then you are lacking prosperity. But what is the standard? The dictionary definition of “prosperous” is, “having success, flourishing, well off, favorable.” And, biblically, to prosper simply means to have success. But what exactly is the standard? Who decides what is or isn’t prosperity? How do you know if you are a prosperous person? You are the only one who can define prosperity for you. **End Summary** Topics: Bible]]> scriptures]]> prosper]]> greed]]> denial]]> prosperity]]> prosperous]]> abundance]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio has inspirational and motivational “Pep Talks” on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html . Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

One Word Can Change Everything!

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

I want to share a simple but important key in goal setting. For many years, successful people have been writing down their goals and affirmations. Then, they discipline themselves to read those goals or affirmations every day. This is one proven method of getting information into your belief system. Once something is in your belief system, it will become evident in your life. It's not magic; it's just the way the mind works. We will always evidence in our lives what we hold in our belief system. Some call it "belief system," while others refer to it as "core beliefs." The Bible refers to it as the "heart." In fact, one verse states, "As he thinks in his heart, so is he." Regardless of how you choose to label it, this is the way the mind works. As a result, people have been writing down their goals for many years, in order to get information into their heart. They write things like, "I am going to be successful," or, "I will loose 30 pounds this summer." They say, "I am going to do this," or "I'm going to be that. **End Summary** Topics: Because]]> goal setting]]> goals]]> affirmations]]> core beliefs]]> belief system]]> heart]]> successful people]]> mind]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio has inspirational and motivational “Pep Talks” on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html . Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

Have You Failed?

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Have you failed? Try again. You say that you have tried again and failed again? Well, try again, and again, and again! Don't Quit! Almost everyone knows the story of Thomas Edison who refused to quit. He tried about ten thousand items before he got the light bulb to work. I think we're all glad that he didn't quit, especially if you are reading this article on your computer! Some might say, "Oh, sure, Thomas Edison. You know, he was a brilliant inventor." It may be true that he was a brilliant inventor, but the fact remains that he was not a quitter! And that's the point. Countless stories tell the tales of men and women who just refused to quit, refused to give up, and refused to give in. Each disappointment was just another step closer to victory. That's how they looked at it. But sadly, far too many people look at a set back or a disappointment as a failure, and then they just quit. They abandon their dreams, they discard their goals, they put their plans in a drawer and just quit! **End Summary** Topics: positive attitude]]> negative attitude]]> quitting]]> failed]]> try again]]> Thomas Edison]]> happy]]> fulfilled]]> dreams]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio has inspirational and motivational âPep Talksâ on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html . Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

Are you Hanging in There?

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Probably, many a time that you have asked someone, "How are you doing?" and they responded back by saying, "Oh, I'm hanging in there." There's a friend of mine that when I ask him, "How are you doing?" his answer is always the same. He says, "I'm doing great, but I'm getting better." Isn't that a terrific attitude? What a positive thing to say! But, does it really matter? When you ask someone, "How are you doing?" You get any number of different responses like, "Oh, alright I guess," or, "I'm a doin'," or, "Oh, so, so." But a very popular response is, "I'm hanging in there." Hanging in there? You're just hanging in there? Is that your assessment of how your life is going right now, just hanging in there? Now to me, that sounds like one step away from hanging on for dear life, or, maybe at the end of your rope! Hanging in there? Do you really want to spend the rest of your life just hanging in there? Each day is really tough, but I think I can make it. **End Summary** Topics: hanging in there]]> success]]> victory]]> failure]]> defeat]]> abundance]]> more than conqueror]]> end of my ropes]]> positives]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio has âPep Talksâ on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html . Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

The Rat Race

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

There are an awful lot of people who think that instead of being in the human race, they are in the rat race. What does that mean? Why do they think like that? The life we live as human beings has often been described as a "rat race." You have probably heard common phrases like, "Another day in this lousy rat race," or, "Welcome to the rat race," or similar phrases. The term "rat race" more than likely came from the rat's desperate struggle for survival. It very strongly implies an endless, self-defeating pursuit. There is no question in my mind that the life of a rat is a deplorable and disgusting existence to say the least. But, on the other hand, it is contemptible to say that human beings are like rats. More importantly, it is devastating to those that accept it as so. Let's think logically for a moment. Are we to believe that the Creator's intention was for billions of people to be all over the earth struggling to survive due to a limited supply? That sure sounds like the life of a rat to me! **End Summary** Topics: rat race]]> doubts]]> worries]]> fears]]> abundance]]> apple seed]]> negatives]]> abundance]]> prosperity]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio has inspirational and motivational Pep Talks"Â on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html . Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

Do You Hate Your Job?

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

What I'm about to say, some people may find simply amazing. Others will doubt it. Still others will simply dismiss it and just not believe it. But, it is true. I have seen it, I have talked to people, and I have read about it in many books. It really is true. Most millionaires are still working. Now there are a lot of people who just cannot understand why someone who is worth millions of dollars is still working. Why? They have plenty of money. They don't need to work. They could be on the golf course every single day. They could be lying on the beach somewhere, sipping those drinks with the little umbrellas. They could even be on an exotic world cruise. Why in the world are they working when they don't have to? There are a great number of people who dream of having millions of dollars and not doing any work at all. They can see themselves spending their days just relaxing, finally done with that nasty four letter word, "work." One of the biggest reason people think that way is because they hate their job. So many feel like a slave to a company. **End Summary** Topics: Work]]> job]]> millions]]> cruise]]> golf]]> beach]]> Bill Gates]]> success]]> successful]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio has Pep Talks"Â on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html . Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

Why Doesn't Everyone Succeed?

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Nearly a hundred years ago, Orison Swett Marden wrote the following: "Success is every human being's normal condition; he was made for success; he is a success machine, and to be a failure is to pervert the intention of His Creator." Those comments by Mr. Marden are so true. Human beings were not designed to fail. The intention of the Creator was and is that we always succeed. I like that phrase, "a success machine!" When you stop and look around, all of creation is designed for success! Fruit trees are designed to successfully produce fruit abundantly. Vegetables, flowers, grass and plants are all designed to flourish. Even the animals are all designed to successfully enjoy the life they have been given. Bears are designed to successfully catch fish. Lions are designed to have such a roar that they successfully freeze their prey. Cheetahs are designed to successfully outrun all land animals. With everything around us designed to be successful, to produce, and to flourish, why would we even consider that human beings are designed any differently? **End Summary** Topics: Success]]> successful]]> fate]]> luck]]> failure]]> dominant thoughts]]> success machine]]> meant to be]]> all the breaks]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years, and offers, Pep Talks"Â on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .

What's Your Destination?

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

When traveling from one location to another, your destination is determined by your set direction. If you live in Los Angeles and your destination is New York, then your direction needs to be east. If you're on the East Coast and you want to get to the West Coast then your direction needs to be west. This may seem to be very obvious, and it is, but it is also very true with where our lives are headed. Your goals, dreams, and desires are your destinations. But you can only arrive there if you are headed in the direction that will take you there. Just as wishing and hoping to be in L.A. while you are in New York doesn't get you there, so, too, wishing and hoping for your goals and dreams to come to pass does not bring them into your life. Suppose your desire in life is to be a best selling author. Well, what are you doing to point yourself in that direction? Is there anything that you do on a daily basis that is pointing you in that direction? How about weekly? **End Summary** Topics: goals]]> dreams]]> desires]]> destination]]> direction]]> Colorado]]> New York]]> California]]> L.A.]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years, and offers, Pep Talks"Â on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .

Lazy People Blame and Complain!

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Many people believe that the reason that they are not successful is because of the economy. They hear that good jobs are scarce. They see prices continue to rise. They know that lots of people struggle. And so, they just accept that the present economy is the reason they are not successful. Others blame the government for their lack of success. They complain that taxes are too high. They say that there is not enough government help and subsidy. These people believe that if the government would just do things right, then they could be successful. Others believe that the reason they cannot succeed is due to "evil practices" in the corporate world. They blame shady business policies. They have adapted the belief that they are simply working to make someone else wealthy. A lot of unsuccessful people truly believe these things. They are convinced that situations and circumstances in life are certainly not their fault. But is that really true, or are some people just lazy? It is very easy to blame rather than to take responsibility. It is the easy way out. It also contributes to people developing a false sense of reality. **End Summary** Topics: blame]]> complain]]> lazy]]> goals]]> dreams]]> desires]]> responsibility]]> government]]> economy]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years, and offers, Pep Talks"Â on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .

Are You a Statue or a Pigeon?

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Perhaps you've received emails where the sender has a personal signature, maybe even complete with a quote of some kind. There are a lot of people who like to put a quote, phrase, or something similar to that under their name when they send out an email. Maybe you like to put a quote under your name when you send out emails too. Recently, my son told me about something he read on an email that he received at his job. What he read didn't exactly inspire and motivate him. It didn't give him pause for consideration or profitable thinking. And, even though it was probably intended to be funny, he didn't see the humor in it at all! The line under the signature read, "Just accept it. Some days you're a statue and other days you're a pigeon." Wow! First of all, my son didn't like the "accept it" part of the quote and I don't blame him. Life is not determined by fate! We do not just have to accept whatever happens to us. We have the freedom of will to take charge of our own lives. Secondly, my son took issue with being a pigeon. **End Summary** Topics: statue or pigeon]]> pigeon]]> statue]]> email signature]]> email]]> free will]]> goals]]> dreams]]> affirmations]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years, and offers, Pep Talks"Â on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .

Working Hard Does Not Produce Success

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400

One of the pieces of advice about life that many young people hear is, "If you want to be successful and get ahead in life you need to work hard." That advice means to get a good job and put your nose to the grindstone by working hard at it, and doing your best. A lot of young people start out doing just that. They really put forth a great effort and work hard, sometimes working long hours and weekends too. They believe that being successful requires hard work, and they are willing to work as hard as they can so that they will be successful. When things are not going as well as expected, many think that it is because they aren't working as hard as they should, so they begin to work even harder. Many people in their 40's and 50's have taken on a second job. It certainly is a lot more work when you have two jobs than when you have just one job. That is definitely working harder. I remember someone once saying, "Learn to work smarter, not harder." What great advice that is. I have nothing against hard work. **End Summary** Topics: retirement]]> work]]> success]]> successful]]> Denny"'""s]]> Wal-Mart]]> job]]> work hard]]> working]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years, and offers, Pep Talks"Â on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .

Shut Up!

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400

The title of this article might seem obnoxious to some people. Others might find it down right rude. But give me a moment or two, so I can explain why you may really need to shut up! Words are indeed very powerful. That's no secret. But most people do not realize just how powerful their own words are. The truth is your words can change your life. I'm talking specifically about the words you think and speak to yourself about yourself. Some refer to this as, "self talk." Whatever you call it, we all talk to ourselves. Throughout the course of the day, we all mutter things to ourselves about ourselves. We all have thoughts about ourselves. Very few realize that those words and those thoughts are literally life changing. The sad thing is that what most people speak to themselves is negative. They say things like, "I'm never going to get ahead." "My life is just miserable." "I just can't lose any weight." I'll never find a better job." "I can't find the right person to marry." And on and on they go. **End Summary** Topics: words]]> victory]]> success]]> possibilities]]> low self-esteem]]> failure]]> discouragement]]> helplessness]]> high self esteem]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years, and offers, Pep Talks"Â on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .

How to Get the Results You Want!

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400

The choices you have made and the actions you have taken have produced the results that you see in your life right now. A lot of people might totally disagree with that statement, but I believe it is very true. Your results are directly produced by the decisions that you have made. I understand that we are living in an, "it's not my fault" society. Today, very few people take responsibility for their own actions. And, if you listen to what some people say, you might think that we are all victims! But the truth of the matter is that the results in our own lives are because of our own choices and actions. We make a decision. We choose a particular course or action and then we reap the results. Here's an illustration. Let's say you find yourself one beautiful summer afternoon sitting in a stadium enjoying a baseball game. How did you arrive at that particular result in your life? Did you go to sleep the night before and then just wake up sitting in the stands, cheering for your team? Well, of course not. Somewhere along the line, you thought about going to a baseball game. **End Summary** Topics: Success]]> failure]]> thoughts]]> free will]]> emotions]]> choices]]> actions]]> feelings]]> baseball]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years, and offers, Pep Talks"Â on audio CD, at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com . Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .

Stop Complaining About It!

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

How many "complainers" are employed where you work? I'll bet you know more than one. Over the years, I have worked for a number of different companies in a number of different fields. I've observed, as I'm sure you have too, that a lot of complaining goes on at the work place. After the workday is finally over, do those complainers stop complaining? Absolutely not! By quitting time, they are on a roll, and they just continue to complain. Over an extended period of complaining, maybe a year or two, do the circumstances and conditions of the complainers get any better? Has all that complaining brought them any positive results? No. They still have a lot to complain about. And that's my point. People many times fail to recognize how detrimental complaining really is. As a matter of fact, it is a formula for failure, or at best, a formula for a very unsuccessful and unrewarding life. Most people who are complainers feel that if they don't voice their displeasure with current circumstances and conditions then they are just settling and accepting the life that they have. They view their complaining as fighting back verbally. **End Summary** Topics: Complain]]> complaining]]> focus]]> think]]> enjoy life]]> unsuccessful]]> unrewarding]]> desires]]> goals]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years. Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .

Why Not Dream Big Dreams?

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Children have lots of big dreams. But it seems that the older we get, the more get talked out of our dreams. Do you have dreams? Are they big dreams? Your dreams and your vision are very important because they are yours! Every day countless people abandon their dreams. They either succumb to those who tell them that they can't, or they look at their own ability and talk themselves out if it. This is especially true if they have a big dream! Walt Disney had a pretty big dream. And there were many people who thought he was absolutely crazy. A 330-acre theme park in Anaheim, California, called Disneyland? His wife was not sold on the idea at first either. "When I started on Disneyland," Walt admitted, "My wife used to say, ˜But why do you want to build an amusement park? They're so dirty.' I told her that was just the point mine wouldn't be." Walt was turned down numerous times in attempts to get bank financing. He once said "I could never convince the financiers that Disneyland was feasible, because dreams offer too little collateral." But, Disneyland did become a reality in 1955. **End Summary** Topics: Dreams]]> vision]]> goals]]> fear]]> failure]]> Walt Disney]]> Disneyland]]> Michelangelo]]> Bill Gates]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years. Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .

How Successful People Think

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Successful people think successful thoughts. They know that entertaining thoughts of failure and defeat is a waste of time. Successful people think of future possibilities, not of past set backs. Now, plenty of people think that it's easy for successful people to be positive and think thoughts of success, because they are successful. But the reason successful people are successful is because they carry thoughts of success. I recently read part of an interesting interview with actor Jim Carrey. The article reported that he said the following: When I wasn't doing anything in this town, I'd go up every night, sit on Mulholland Drive, look out at the city, stretch out my arms and say , "Everybody wants to work with me. I'm a really good actor. I have all kinds of great movie offers." I'd just repeat these things over and over, literally convincing myself that I had a couple of movies lined up. I'd drive down that hill, ready to take the world on, going, "Movie offers are out there for me, I just don't hear them yet." It really doesn't matter what you think of Jim Carrey. **End Summary** Topics: Jim Carrey]]> success]]> successful]]> think]]> thoughts]]> thinking]]> failure]]> change]]> changing]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years. Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .

Your Attitude Is Your Choice

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Few people believe that their attitude is their own choice. For most people, their attitude depends upon people and circumstances. If people are nice to them, then they have a good attitude. If circumstances are favorable, they are in a good mood. On the other hand, if someone treats them unfairly, then they have a bad attitude. If the circumstances are not favorable, they are in a bad mood. Most people fail to realize that their attitude and their mood are really their own choice. Let me give you a silly example. Awhile back, someone sent the following to me in an email. A little old lady went to the mirror one morning and noticed that she had only three hairs on her head. As she looked into the mirror, she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today." That's exactly what she did. And, she had a great day. The next morning, at the mirror once again, the little old lady noticed that she only had two hairs on her head. Looking herself right in the eye, she said, "Today, I think I'll part my hair down the middle." That's exactly what she did. **End Summary** Topics: Attitude]]> good attitude]]> bad attitude]]> circumstances]]> bad mood]]> good mood]]> change]]> choice]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years. Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .

Who Is Really To Blame?

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

There are people today who have become real experts at blaming everyone and everything for their problems. They have mastered "The Blame Method." It is a sad way to live because they never see the real cause of their problems. These blamers get up every morning and quickly put on their "Victim" sweatshirt. Out the door the head, prepared to go through another day expecting to be victimized. They spend the day pointing their fingers at the economy, the government, their boss, other employers, their spouse, and anyone else they encounter. Some of these people even go so far as to blame God for all their troubles and for everyone else's as well! Maybe it would be a better course of action to ask God for help, instead of blaming Him! I have also observed, and you probably have too, that these blamers are very good whiners and complainers as well. Even if things appear to be going well, they know it probably won't last. And while they wait for things to go wrong, they whine and complain about all the things that happened yesterday, emphatically pointing out who was to blame for it all. **End Summary** Topics: blame]]> luck]]> fate]]> complain]]> whine]]> victim]]> blaming]]> victor]]> champion]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years. Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .

Failure Is Not An Option

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Far too many people live their lives with worry and doubt. They are afraid. What if it goes wrong? What if it doesn't work out? What if I don't get the job? What if my marriage fails? What if I really lose a lot of money on this business venture? Of course, I certainly have no problem with planning and thinking things through, and considering your decisions. That is very necessary. But how refreshing would it sound to use the phrase, "what if" in a positive sense, instead of the usual negative sense? What if this goes right? What if this works out better than I thought it would? What if I get a great job? What if I have a very successful marriage? What if I make more money on this business venture than anyone ever expected? Now that certainly is a refreshing point of view! In fact, try saying some of those things out loud and see what kind of gut reaction you get! People use, "what if," in a negative sense when they are afraid of failing. **End Summary** Topics: Worry]]> doubt]]> fear]]> failure]]> success]]> marriage]]> job]]> money]]> business]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years. Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html .