Alphabet for Living - Patricia Russell-McCloud


A is for ATTITUDE
Attitude determines your altitude, how high you will fly in this life. Attitude is your asset. It is beyond mindset, for it encompasses your thoughts and actions. Attitude is your choice.


B is for BRAINPOWER
Brainpower is the best demonstration of who you are. You have it. USE IT.


C is for COURAGE
Courage is to face all that life offers. Courage is not a man with a gun, but to know that you have been licked even before you begin, but begin anyway, and see it through no matter what. Life is NOT for sissies.


D is for DEDICATION
Dedication to causes that are just. What is important to you? You dont need to do it all, you do need to do something. We must stand for something or we will fall for anything.


E is for EFFORT
Effort you must put forth to excel. There is personal honour and glory in every moment that you give your best, regardless of the outcome. You might not receive a ribbon or trophy or a standing oviation or any form of material recognition. Your reward lies elsewhere.


F is for FREEDOM
Freedom is never free. Freedom is your birthright. Its a basic human right. Without it, we have nothing. It is the right to be, to do whatever one wishes without impeding upon the rights of others. But freedom is never free. Go ask your grand-daddies.


G is for GENIUS
G is got the GENIUS in each one of us. Ever dug out something that you did in the past and was so awed by it? Well, its a gift to you that may have been forgotten. Well, genius is not confined to being good in MATHS and PHYSICS, nor being able to run 100m in 9.7 sec. Genius is expressed in countless ways. It is a type of genius to know what the say and when; it is a genius to craft and execute the correct strategy; it is a genius to possess deep empathy for another person's plight; it is a genius to form and lead a successful team; and it is a genious to remember someone's name. Experssing genius takes courage. Believe you can apply your mind to the matter and reach your level of genius. Your genius is flawless. USE IT.


H is for HERITAGE
Heritage holds and molds you.


I is for INTUITION
Intuition to look beyond the obvious. Intuition is a precious, life-enhancing feature that works with the other senses to keep us from being harmed. It is all-natural, a built in thermostat. Listen. Feel.


J is for JUSTICE
And the fact that we must fight every day to keep it blind. Justice is a woman, blindfolded and balancing scales. the problem with soceity is never over there. It's always right where each of us stands. Reflect and ask oursevles today...


K is for KNOW-HOW
Know how to use what you have to get what you need. Savoir Faire. Knowledge without know-how remains stuck on the shelf; it doesn't get pass go. Know-how is a combination of knowledge, observation, experience, flexibility and initiative.


L is for LIFE
You only go around one time, and this is not a practice run. Wouldn;t it be incredible if you could freeze-frame all your most enjoyable moments in your life? Which moments would you freeze-frame? Cherish your sweet memories. Look back, but DONT stare. Dont freeze and stay rooted in the past pleasures. Instead, move ahead to the next adventure. Dont wait.


M is for MEDITATION
Meditate, take time to get to know yourself. Look at where you are today. Check back your attitudes and behaviours, where are they heading. Consider the risks and the resolutions that you are making. Think about the relationship with others and community. then ask yourself,"Are my thoughts and the actions a reflection of my truest self?" Such is a daily self-assessment that must be done.


N is for NOW
Now is the time. Are you sure there is a need to kill time?
you only have a minute
Only 60 seconds in it
Forced upon you, can't refust it,
didn't seek it, didn't choose it. But, it is up to you to use it.
you must suffer if you lose it.
Give account if you abuse it.
It is just a tiny little minute
But your whole future is in it.


O is for ORGANISATION
Organisation will set your spirit free. The answer is not to put in longer hours at the office; the answer is to work more effectively each hour that you’re there.


P is for PREPARATION
The preparation to gain and maintain the lead position. A lot of work goes into winning. Preparation is like having a first-aid kit and knowing exactly where it is an how to use it. It helps you avoid being in a jam.


Q is for QUESTIONS
The questions that you must be willing to ask. Have you stopped recently to ask yourself WHY? We must give voice to the childlike impulse to ask “WHY?” about all that we don’t understand or accept. We must abandon our seat in the silent symphony.


R is for RISK
Risk reaps rewards. Life is a risk, but we live it. Every day is a leap of faith. Jump high.


S is for SURVIVAL
The survival of the swiftest. Knowledge, positive relationships. Preparation, Awareness, Flexibility, Packaging, Selectivity, Fortitude, Distinction, Expectant, Perseverance, Community.


T is for THE TRUTH
The truth will make your life light. Make truth a priority in your life, let it shine through, and it will set you free.


U is for UNITY
Unity makes us whole.


V is for VISION
Never lose sight of the top of the mountain. Aim high and follow your own vision straight to the top.


W is for WILLPOWER
The willpower to rise to the top of the crop. Its OK to fail your driving test many times, as long as you don’t give up.


X is for X-RAY
Hold people up to the light. Take nothing at face value.


Y is for YOU
And the statement you make.


Z is for ZODIAC
And your place in the sun.