From the Publisher: Life Lessons

Several times a year, I present a column made up of sayings. They can be used for speeches, sent to friends or just for your enjoyment. Called “I’ve Learned,” they show truth, wit and whimsy and should bring a smile to all.

I’ve learned that: You should never be a critic of your wife’s choices because, remember, she chose you.

That good listeners generally make more sales than good talkers.

That nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.

I’ve learned that in cold weather, we always look to summertime because it is the best of what might be.

That you make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.

That in sports as in life, you have to go where you think the ball is going to be, not where it is.

That words fly, writings remain.

That some men are all sizzle and no steak, and all hat and no cattle.

That we should bless the flexible, because they will not get bent out of shape.

I’ve learned that growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional.

That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he might have to eat them.

That the easiest way for me to grow in business is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

That life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.

That you should always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them more.

That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

That the horizon is limitless to those with vision who can see beyond the obvious.

I’ve learned these lessons on leadership:

“People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.” – John Beckley

“All men who have achieved great things have been great dreamers.” – Orison Swett Marden

“The three purposes of thinking are to solve problems, to create opportunities and to enrich the human condition.” – Abraham Lincoln

I’ve learned that a man who is mean is meaner to himself than anyone else.

That character is a diamond that scratches every other stone.

That people who work in politics can’t find honest work.

That if the cake is bad, what good is the frosting.

I’ve learned that true greatness consists of being very good in little things.

That a small leak will sink a great ship.

I’ve learned that if you talk to a man about himself, he will listen for hours.

That when angry count to 10 before you speak; when very angry count to 100.

That success is a ladder that cannot be climbed with your hands in your pockets.

I’ve learned that mistakes are the portals of discovery.

That pessimism never won any battle.

Famous quotes:

“Genius is 1 percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration.” – Thomas Edison

“Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.” – Thomas Carlyle

“If you put off everything till you’re sure of it, you’ll get nothing done.” – Norman Vincent Peale

“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.” – Reba McEntire

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

“He listens well who takes notes.” – Dante Alighieri

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

“You see things and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream of things that never were, and I say, ‘Why not?’” – George Bernard Shaw

Recipe for Success: 1 cup of ideas; ½ cup of goodwill; 1 pinch of positivity; ¾ cup of imagination; 1 lb. of leadership; 2 spoonfuls of teamwork; 1 cup of market vision; 3 tablespoons of challenge; and one bag of hope!