Quote of the Month

Circumstances are beyond human control, but our conduct is in our own power. -- Benjamin Disraeli (British Prime Minister and Novelist. 1804-1881)

Take Charge of Your Life

I was thinking about the quote that I used this month and it struck me that it may not be all that true. Are our circumstances really beyond our control? Are we not able to choose where we go and what we do? Are we stuck with the lives we find ourselves in today or do we have a choice? Having control of your conduct is merely a reaction to the circumstances. But who or whom put you in this place in the beginning? The wisdom of Mr. Disraeli fails to take this control into consideration.

I would hate to think that I have no control of where I go and what I think or do. There may be places in this world where others are in charge, but does that mean those that are under their charge don’t have a free will? If your circumstances find you in a position of lack does that mean you can’t change your circumstances? I think not.

In all things and at all times we are given choices. Which choice you make will determine what circumstance you end up in. This is why it is so important to weigh your choices carefully before taking that first step.

As I think about the value of a sound mind and freedom of choice I recall many times in my youth that I chose the wrong road. Not taking the time to discern where I would end up if I went down a certain path and plunging head long down it was to my detriment. For example, when I was 16, I quit school and ran away from home. It seemed the right thing to do at the time but has proved very costly in the end. So you see, I was in control of my circumstances and took a long look at the path I had chosen and did an exacting u-turn. Certainly I had lost forever the fun and excitement that I could have enjoyed during my last year of high school. Also I missed out on the opportunity to attend Interlochen, the college that as a child I had dreamed of attending. However all was not lost, I took control of my destiny and finished my schooling and even attended college for a time. But what I had lost I had lost forever.

So I must agree to disagree with Mr. Disraeli and I hope that you will too. Take charge of your life and circumstances; don’t just react to them.


© Copyright 2007 Ginger Marks

Tip for Success

Turn Your Business Card into a Business Building Coupon by Tom Egelhoff

During the 1980's I worked with a video rental chain in San Diego, California. The owner, in his travels around town, would often strike up a conversation with someone who had never rented movies from him before.

When this happened the owner would pull out a business card and write a note on the back that was good for a two for one movie rental. Rent one get one free. When that card was presented at one of the 43 locations in and around San Diego employees knew to give that customer extra special service because he was a referral of the owner.

Those customers who had met the owner and been treated with such good service at the store became the principle word of mouth advertisers for that business.

Just another creative use of a business card.