A good read to start your new year!

Well, I'm back after finishing another semester of school and getting through the Christmas festivities.  I hope that all of you enjoyed your holiday with family and friends.  

While the main focus of Christmas is certainly not about the gifts one receives, I wanted to share with you a gift that my mother gave to everyone in our family.

It's a book called The Traveler's Gift written by Andy Andrews that is an easy read and highlights seven decisions people make that determine their personal success in life.  While my mother has experienced many adversities in life and rarely complains; it is her faith in God, persistence and positive attitude that have helped her to overcome these obstacles. 

After having my nose in text books for the past few months, it was refreshing to read a short and encouraging book that is full of reminders of how we can live the best life possible.  I think I will try to read some of Andy Andrews other books before I go back to school in January.  Below are some of my favorite quotes from this book.

“Times of calamity and distress have always been producers of the greatest men. The hardest steel is produced from the hottest fire; the brightest star shreds the darkest night.”   

"You must know, that in the game of life, nothing is less important than the score at halftime.  The tragedy of life is not that man loses, but that he almost wins.  As a human, you detour and ease off because you lack understanding.  You quit because you lack faith."

“If I associate with chickens, I will learn to scratch at the ground and squabble over crumbs.  If I associate with eagles, I will learn to soar to great heights.”

“For centuries, dreams have been used to communicate instruction and direction to people of purpose – great men and women.  God used dreams to prepare Joseph for his future as a leader of nations.  He gave battle plans to Gideon in a dream.  Joan of Arc, Jacob, George Washington, Marie Curie, and the apostle Paul were all guided by their dreams.”