Masters of camouflage

From Isabelle B. that I follow on Twitter @isabellebaron,
She took it from Science Friday.
Why another video of some interesting nature wonder... Because it's amazing.
Ok, good for a starting point.  But they go further, all the way down to filming the skin of a live octopus so you can see the pixels changing color!  Amazing !!

For once, not only a cool video but a cool video backed with scientific explanation.



... my bet is that we'll "see" this on a tank or a plane soon...

:-| and.. thx Isabelle

Re : Le renard et le corbeau

Il était encore une fois ...
Le renard et le corbeau.

Une pause, un sourire, un classique,
pour vos journées remplies,
de livrables sérieux.



Il Était Éncore Une Fois from Pascal Blais Animation Studio on Vimeo.

Venez procrastiner pour 1 min. 13 sec.

;-)

Hans Rosling plea for free database access

I admit it's a bit serious, you might even add nerdy... but it's awesome for multiple reasons.  First this presentation is packed with real valuable informations - anthropology - presented in a new, cool, dynamic way.  Second the speaker, Hans Rosling, instead of being a geek praised only for his research, masters the delivery of this presentation in an efficient yet funny way!  Finally, I'm stunned by the end message, the goal he wishes to achieve : Make the data available to everybody through free web tools; all this in order to kill myths with actual, factual, data.  What !??  It's not already done !!! my God! When I put this in comparison with all the books and the painting once hidden in museum now accessible on the web, free, with Google's help, I support Hans' quest !  Free DATA !!!

Worth the 20 minutes you'll dedicate to this ;-)

Sit back, turn your brain on

If you wish to go further, digg into the Gapminder web site.  It's a non-profit, web museum and it's filled with  content !  Great !! 

Acte 5 - Olivier Martineau - Les finissants de l'industrie de l'humour contre-attaquent

Olivier Martineau,

Écoute public




Shuut il dort



mmm

Conclusion : C'est clair qu'il y a de tout pour tous les goûts... et que derrière les tirades simples, beaucoup de travail est fait afin qu'elles fassent mouche.  ;-)

Acte 4 - Sexe Illegal - Les finissants de l'industrie de l'humour contre-attaquent

Paul Sexe et Tony Legal, débridé, génial.

Bing




Bang




Paf




Rentre dedans !  Fullll phatique !

Acte 3 - Simon Leblanc - Les finissants de l'industrie de l'humour contre-attaquent

Simon Leblanc, un gars de Gaspésie qui me fait penser à Fred Pellerin ;-)

La piscine




La bine



humour facile ?

Acte 2 - Etienne Dano - Les finissants de l'industrie de l'humour contre-attaquent

Étienne Dano,

Renversé par son monologue sur Subway




Interpelé par son monologue sur Carnior




Et franchement amusé par son dernier clip : "Douchebag"



... oups, il est aussi issu de la machine Juste pour Rire...

Acte 1 - François Bellefeuille - Les finissants de l'industrie de l'humour contre-attaquent

François Bellefeuille, un vétérinaire qui a viré en humoriste.  Style bien à lui qui mérite d'être entendu ;-)

J'ai deux extraits phatiques...





T'sé !

Prélude - Les finissants de l'école Nationale de l'humour contre-attaquent

Je m'en allais gentillement "poster" des clips humoristiques qui avaient attiré mon attention et détendus l'air ambiant, stagnant, de ma rate que... ma comparse de blog s'est permise un écrit pamphlétaire sur l'humour du peuple.  "Humour anglais à l'honneur"

... mmm ... ça m'a piqué un peu car je fais parti du peuple, la plèbe, les jarrets noirs, les soumis, les chômeurs.

L'humour prend bien des déclinaisons.  Que ce soit la comédie, la satyre, le burlesque, le pince sans rire, le situationnel, le stand-up, l'imitation, la caricature... bien mal avisé est celui qui, comme pour la musique, essaie de tout catégoriser par genre.  Autant de genres, autant de publics récepteurs qui sont disposés, ou non, alors que le timing fait exploser la blague.  Alors bien peu pour moi de tirades disjonctées classées dans une catégorie... une tirade sera disjonctée selon le récepteur, le public, qui l'écoute.  Toute performance artistique nécessite un public disposé à faire éclore le rire.  Rien n'est jamais certain, rien ne peu jamais être catégorisé, surtout pas à la hauteur du travail entier d'un artiste.  Tout les artistes, tout genres confondus ont de bons et moins bons produits.  Tout artiste, tout genre d'art confondu a un plus ou moins grand auditoire potentiellement réceptif à son style.  ... et tout artiste offre de bonnes et moins bonnes performances.
... d'ailleurs moi je ne l'ai pas trouvé super drôle ce David irlandais, ...

Puis elle en remet, ma collègue de blog avec son "Phatique".  Elle nous prend de haut le p'tit peuple et en plus... elle a raison car j'ai du aller voir dans le dictionnaire afin de vérifier le sens.  Là j'étais insulté! Des artistes qui parlent pour ne rien dire... on parle pour ne rien dire lorsque personne ne nous écoute.  Seulement.  Si un public porte attention à ce que l'on dit, si un public nous laisse libre usage de la tribune qu'est une scène et un micro... nos paroles portent.  Elles ont un sens.  Un sens qui sera décodé et apprécié bien inégalement encore une fois... selon les expériences, état d'esprit et humeurs du public.  C'est compliqué en somme.  Ce n'est pas simple, surtout pas simplet.

Je demande que ma collègue de Blog se rétracte et qu'elle offre des excuses publiques à tous ces artistes qui travaillent d'arrache pied pour faire exploser à distance leur travail.  Tous ces artistes qui mettent tant d'effort à faire exploser leurs blagues dans nos cordes vocales afin qu'elles résonnent dans nos têtes.

na.

Et pour bien faire, je vais pour la prochaine semaine au moins, à tous les 2 jours, poster des clips de ces artistes de la relève que j'ai jugé vraiment bons en ma qualité bien personnelle et bien imparfaite de public.

;-)

Galimatias

Quel beau mot, rarement utilisé.  Je l'ai retrouvé au détour d'un article fort sérieux sur la tuerie en Norvège.

Le mot puis l'article.

Selon le wiktionnaire, voici la petite histoire, l'étymologie du mot:

L’origine exacte de ce mot est obscure; certains le rapportent à l’argot scolaire de la Renaissance humaniste et en font un composé où gallus (« coq ») désigne un étudiant participant aux discussions réglementaires, avec la terminaison grecque -mathia (« science »); d’autres le font dériver du grec byzantin κατὰ Ματθαῖον katà Matthaîon signifiant « selon Matthieu »; l’Évangile selon Matthieu était récité sur un ton de monotone psalmodie, d’où le sens de « discours, psalmodie ».

Une autre hypothèse est couramment avancée : jusqu’au XVIe siècle, dans les tribunaux, les plaidoiries se faisaient en latin. Ainsi, un jeune avocat défendant la cause de son client nommé « Matthias » et dont le coq importunait le voisinage le matin, se trompa en voulant dire « le coq de Matthias » (soit en latin gallus Matthiae). Or, il dit à la place « galli Matthias » (littéralement « le Matthias du coq ») ce qui provoqua inévitablement l’hilarité générale dans le tribunal. C’est cette bourde, restée fameuse, qui serait à l’origine de notre galimatias.

... et pour la signification 

Nom commun galimatias /ga.li.ma.tja/ masculin

- Discours embrouillé et confus, qui semble dire quelque chose et ne dit rien.

• Tout ce qu’il dit, tout ce qu’il écrit n’est que galimatias.
• C’est un pur galimatias.
• Je n’entends rien à tout ce galimatias.
• Galimatias double ; galimatias que ne comprend ni celui qui le fait, ni celui qui l’écoute ou qui le lit.
• Qui songe à votre argent dont vous me faites un galimatias ? — (Molière, L'Avare ou l'École du mensonge, acte , scène)

L'article maintenant où Marc Simard exprime son opinion, ma foi fort importante, 

Marc Simard L'auteur est professeur d'histoire au collège François-Xavier-Garneau, à Québec.

Vendredi dernier, alors que les informations et les images en provenance de Norvège ont commencé à circuler sur le web et dans les médias, un sentiment de désespoir et d'impuissance m'a envahi, comme à chacune des tueries dont j'ai été témoin indirect depuis de nombreuses années. Pas seulement à cause de la démence du geste et de la souffrance des victimes et de leurs proches, mais aussi parce que je savais que nous aurions à subir collectivement un matraquage médiatique centré sur la personne du tueur avec photographies, témoignages et documents à l'appui.

Comme à chacune des fois précédentes, je me suis demandé pourquoi les médias fournissent autant de publicité gratuite à un déséquilibré dont c'est précisément une des motivations principales: faire parler de lui et de ses idées et voir sa face d'illuminé révélée au monde entier.

Un tel geste devrait être l'occasion pour les médias sérieux et responsables de s'interroger sur leurs pratiques en la matière, sur quatre points précis.

D'abord, il m'apparaît malsain de publier toutes les photos disponibles de l'halluciné, y compris celles où il endosse son uniforme d'opérette et où il brandit fièrement son arme. Pour une majorité de citoyens, ces images n'auront pas d'autre effet que de satisfaire leur curiosité (malsaine') ou de susciter une certaine répulsion. Mais elles alimenteront malheureusement les délires des psychopathes en herbe et susciteront vraisemblablement des vocations. Une photo passeport au maximum.

De même, pourquoi nommer le meurtrier' En effet, la simple publication de ses initiales et la mention de sa nationalité seraient largement suffisantes et le priveraient de la notoriété à laquelle il aspire.

De plus, pourquoi publier des extraits de son indigeste galimatias, qui n'a aucune valeur intellectuelle ou même historique' Un court résumé des motifs absurdes qu'il invoque dépasse déjà largement l'espace auquel l'indigence de sa pensée devrait lui donner droit.

Enfin, et c'est probablement le plus important, on devrait s'abstenir de ressusciter, à chaque massacre, les auteurs des hécatombes du passé en mentionnant leurs noms et en exhumant leurs photos des archives, où elles devraient se racornir à jamais. Ces bouchers ne sont pas des héros et encore moins des modèles. Qu'on n'ignore ni les gestes ni les victimes, mais qu'on relègue leurs auteurs aux oubliettes de l'histoire. C'est le châtiment le plus approprié (et d'une certaine façon le plus cruel) qu'on puisse leur infliger!

Les professionnels de l'information devraient centrer leur attention sur les témoignages, les réactions de la population, les analyses des spécialistes et les réponses des autorités. Et laisser aux chacals et aux bouffe-merde les divagations du détraqué et son entreprise d'autopromotion.

On rétorquera qu'il en va du droit du public à l'information, mais cet argument est un peu court. Qu'on me permette de douter que la photo d'un clown dans un costume d'Halloween constitue une information. Il ne s'agit pas de censure, mais de responsabilisation. Outre la concurrence des médias rivaux, la publication de toutes ces informations est-elle nécessaire ou même utile et n'est-elle pas, dans une certaine mesure, néfaste' Voilà la question.

VW - The Dark Side

Ran through this, ...

As a Star Wars aficionado, ... I could not resist but fall for this kind of marketing.   

Of course there is an important message pushed by Greenpeace: Volkswagen must put forward policies to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, ... if it has not already done so.  As a leader or wannabe world leader in this market, nowadays it goes with good corporate citizenship. 

But let's just have fun for a minute...

In reverse order.

The reactions of Greenpeace to a clip produced by VW for the superbowl 

I

VW: The Dark Side from Greenpeace in Nordic on Vimeo.

II

VW: The Dark Side Episode II from Greenpeace in Nordic on Vimeo.

The VW production, ... awesome !

May the force be with you ;-)

And if you wish to dig a bit down the Greenpeace message follow this link.

Papis Rock

Il y a ces artistes que la machine médiatique amène à nous par le biais de publicités, de critiques, d'articles et d'influences.
 
Puis il y a les autres, les inconnus que l'on croise au détour d'un festival.  Eux qui surprennent l'oeil et notre curiosité, qui nous font nous retourner et nous arrêter, le sourire coinçé dans nos émerveillements d'enfant.
 
Les Nomad Urbains et leur spectacle de rue, le troisième cycle, réussissent ce tour de force.  Ils sont différents, ils choquent justent assez pour que l'on demeure intéressé.  Peut-être les avez-vous déjà vus ?  Ils finalisent leur projet de spectacle, les Papis Rock, que je considère sublimement décoiffant.  Que pensez-vous de ce vidéo ?
 
La curiosité est comblée lorsque l'on peut discuter avec l'un d'eux, sans façon, entre amis biens arrosés.  Mélanie était de passage il y a quelques mèches, avec toutes son énergie et la vie débordant de ses grands yeux.  Bravo !
 
 

Infographic: How To Have A Rational Discussion

via Simoleon Sense by Miguel on 3/21/11

Via Brandon Scott Gorrell @ Thought Catalog

Google ART Project

Ça ne remplacera jamais les silences marqués de bruits de pas et de murmures commentés.

Cela ne peut se comparer aux longs après-midi pluvieux, absorbé par la lumière des lieux dans les orbites de l'oeuvre.

Et encore, on ne peut remplacer le plaisir de voyager jusqu'à eux, sis au coeur de cités riches d'histoire et de moment présents.

Mais...

Voyager de la gallerie des miroirs à Versaille puis à la nuit étoilée de Van Gogh à New York pour glisser sans effort à L'Hermitage, à St-Petersbourg.

C'est FANTASTIQUE !

... et tout cela au bout des doigts de quiconque possède une connexion internet.

... on se doit d'admettre que l'Homme et la technologie produisent parfois de bien grandes choses.

Google Art Project

Bring Me Sunshine - The Jive Aces

Bien que le week-end fut fort sympa, rajouter un peu de plaisir lumineux ne peut qu'aider à brosser le temps maussade du printemps sous la carpette.

Prenez une pause,

Merci Lise.

Élection 2011 - Résultats Chambly Borduas

Lors de mon dernier post, je vous présentais Jean-François Mercier ainsi que les jeux de son élection, ou non.

Voici les résultats, très locaux, du vote du 2 mai dernier.  Pour les résultats généraux, ... vous savez où aller ;-)

... il n'a pas gagné mais troisième, c'est quand même surprenant.  De toute façon nous ne sommes pas à une surprise près dans cette élection ...

Le gros cave

Le monde vu de Beloeil cette semaine ...

Quelle ne fut pas ma surprise de constater, en ouvrant mon journal régional que Jean-François Mercier, dit "Le gros cave", s'est présenté aux élections fédérales... dans MA circonscription.

Pied de nez au système politique, coup de marketing fumant, impertinence crasse, sympathique bonhomie... j'ai tout entendu car il a suscité des réactions dans tous les médias; c'est donc un grand coup de marketing, au minimum: "Parlez de moi en bien, parlez de moi en mal, mais parlez de moi."

Vais-je voter pour lui ?

... qu'il puisse présenter sa candidature en suivant le processus standard je ne peux être contre cela.

... qu'il utilise cette tribune pour servir un paquet d'inepties c'est un peu triste mais bon, c'est aussi la faute des médias qui lui accordent autant de temps d'antenne.  - je suis coupable autant qu'eux -

... On le trouve divertissant ou peut-être sommes-nous seulement voyeurs ou simplement curieux, le fait est qu'on l'écoute, au moins pour nous servir quelques lignes, il sait être punché. Je le trouve drôle.

... Qu'il jette dans l'ombre les autres candidats locaux c'est la faute du lecteur qui n'a qu'à faire ses devoirs. Je dirais qu'il m'a influencé dans l'autre direction car j'ai pris le temps de lire ce que les autres candidats locaux avaient à déclarer, un peu décevant.

Et s'il était élu...

... là se serait un vrai problème. Ce serait comme un cancer pour la démocratie, un signe que le système ne fonctionne vraiment plus, que les électeurs ne prennent plus ce rôle au sérieux. Le Parlement à un manque cruel d'élus compétents, il n'y a pas place pour les amuseurs publics. Mais... aux dernières élections André Arthur a été élu, n'est-ce pas déjà un pas vers la décadence ?

Non, je ne voterai pas pour lui.

Our lives are spent trying to pixellate a fractal planet.

A Whole Lotta Nothing by Matt Haughey on 3/31/11

The futility of the entire human condition, summed up in a single photo and caption

I love this ! ;-)
Bang !

The triumph of coal marketing

The triumph of coal marketing

via Seth's Blog by Seth Godin on 3/22/11

Do you have an opinion about nuclear power? About the relative safety of one form of power over another? How did you come to this opinion?
Here are the stats, and here's the image. A non-exaggerated but simple version of his data:

For every person killed by nuclear power generation, 4,000 die due to coal, adjusted for the same amount of power produced... You might very well have excellent reasons to argue for one form over another. Not the point of this post. The question is: did you know about this chart? How does it resonate with you?
Vivid is not the same as true. It's far easier to amplify sudden and horrible outcomes than it is to talk about the slow, grinding reality of day to day strife. That's just human nature. Not included in this chart are deaths due to global political instability involving oil fields, deaths from coastal flooding and deaths due to environmental impacts yet unmeasured, all of which skew it even more if you think about it.
This chart unsettles a lot of people, because there must be something wrong with it. Further proof of how easy it is to fear the unknown and accept what we've got.
I think that any time reality doesn't match your expectations, it means that marketing was involved. Perhaps it was advertising, or perhaps deliberate story telling by an industry. Or perhaps it was just the stories we tell one another in our daily lives. It's sort of amazing, even to me, how much marketing colors the way we see the world--our reaction (either way) to this chart is proof of it.

Searching for data I  found this blog post filled with interesting comments.
Then I found this post ! ... the source... very interesting!  Hope it's reliable.

77 Great Quotes

77 Great Quotes 

Courage

1. “Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.” – Tom Krause

There are no guarantees in life. Even the false security of having a house, a family and money in the bank will pass. The only constant in life is change. The sooner we can accept that, the smoother life will be.

2. “The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.” – Sven Goran Eriksson

We all fear failure. It’s a learned habit. It is said that the only fears we are born with are the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises, the rest is learned. There’s nothing wrong with failure. In fact, if you never fail, you will never grow.

3. “If we’re growing, we’re always going to be out of our comfort zone.” – John Maxwell

I couldn’t agree more with this quote. The more comfortable I get with being uncomfortable, the faster I grow. When you’re moving forward and making progress, you will feel uncomfortable, and that’s okay.

4. “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” – John C. Maxwell

We grow up with the idea that we have to look for others for answers. Instead of seeking approval, look inside of yourself and feel what is right. We are all unique, therefore we are all on our own path. No one can tell you exactly what to do, because their destination is different from yours.

5. “They can’t hurt you unless you let them.” – Unknown

When I read this quote, I think about our imagination and our fears. Almost all of us are suffering without a cause. The fear of fear is worse than fear itself. You’ve probably heard it many times, but that’s because it’s true.

6. “The key to change… is to let go of fear.” – Rosanne Cash

The more you can let go of fear, the faster you will grow. I’m not talking about eliminating fear or being fearless. When I think about letting go of fear, I think about acknowledging it and letting it be there. There’s nothing wrong with being afraid.

7. “If you wait to do everything until you’re sure it’s right, you’ll probably never do much of anything.” – Win Borden

I’ve gotten many e-mails from people asking me for advice. The common thread that runs through them all is that they want to make sure they’re doing it right. My answer is always the same: you have to try, fail and try again. There are no guarantees. There is only the path.

8. “Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.” – Raymond Lindquist

What is familiar is comfortable. Even though the familiar might be worse than the unfamiliar, we still tend to hold on to it, because going into the unknown is uncomfortable. Having the courage to go into the unfamiliar can be tough, but not impossible. It requires a shift in perspective. Become curious. Become an explorer of life. This is an adventure.

9. “Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill

This is another good take on courage. What we have to remember is that definitions and perspectives are constantly in flux. There are no absolutes. Courage for me isn’t the same as courage for you, which is why, in the end, you have to trust yourself.

10. “There is far more opportunity than there is ability. “ – Thomas A. Edison

Most people are afraid to take action. Sure, they have ideas, but they don’t do anything about it. It’s scary to go down that path, which is why so few do. In the end, you have to determine what kind of life you want to live: one of mediocrity, or one of greatness?

Motivation

11. “Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.” – James Dean

Dreams are important, but they do not come to fruition if you do not take action. Don’t procrastinate. Start living the life you want to live today. There is always a step you can take. There is always something you can do.

12. “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” – Unknown

If you never start, you will never get anywhere. If you want to find your passion, it starts with trying. You will fail, you will make mistakes, but that’s a part of the journey.

13. “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” – Brian Littrell

I’ve found that going after my goals rigidly only makes me unhappy. I now make goals, but I am flexible about them. I am open to new possibilities. Having a goal is essential, but use it as a guideline and not as something you have to reach.

14. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

Everything that you see around you will pass. Whatever success you may achieve will pass. Whatever failure you may run into will also pass.Doesn’t that make you wonder if life is more than chasing success and avoiding failure?

15. “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar

Following your passion isn’t effortless. I know many who think it should be, which is another obstacle holding them back from taking action. This is not a ride in the park. It’s a path of rapid growth. It contains both joy and fear.

16. “Never, never, never, never give up.” – Winston Churchill

Whatever you do—keep going. When I started playing poker professionally at the age of 18, I knew I was going to succeed. I was prepared to do anything. I knew that others were making money playing poker, so I thought “if they can, so can I.”

17. “Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” – Abraham Lincoln

You determine your happiness. There are several studies out there that show that even if you win the lottery, your state of happiness will return to its previous level in about a year. What happens outside of you is of little importance, as long as you have the basic necessities.

18. “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Rohn

Motivation ebbs and flows. When I started blogging, the first few months were easy, but then I started bumping into periods of low energy. Habit and a focus on helping people is what kept me going. I constantly reminded myself that this was what I wanted to do.

19. “Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.” – Wayne Dyer

You are responsible for how you feel. You can blame external things if you want to, but it will never change how things are. It is only when you accept your own responsibility that you can change.

20. “There’s always a way – if you’re committed.” – Tony Robbins

If you’re passionate enough and if you care enough, you will overcome any obstacles. Excuses will be a thing of the past, but if you’re not determined, you will let the smallest excuse hold you back.

Inspiration

21. “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” – Confucius

If you’ve been trying to make your passion a reality, please do not quit. If something doesn’t work, all you have to do is change your approach. Look at people who are already doing what you want to do, and learn from them.

22. “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” – Walt Disney

Everything that has been invented has at one time or another been thought of as impossible. Don’t let other people hold you down when it comes to going after your dreams. Trust your heart and follow your highest excitement.

23. “Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.” – Benjamin Spock

I know you may doubt yourself when it comes to listening to your heart, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. The sooner you embrace an attitude of curiosity, the sooner you will start trusting yourself. So what if you make mistakes? Who cares?

24. “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

The people that can do the things they think they cannot do are the ones who succeed. Following your passion and living your purpose is not always easy.

25. “Action will remove the doubt that theory cannot solve.” – Petryl Hsieh

You can spend your whole life thinking and theorizing, but it is only through action that you gain clarity. I’ve noticed that theory can only take me so far. When I actually start taking action, things are much different than in theory.

26. “Using no way as a way, using no limitation as limitation.” – Bruce Lee

Sometimes you have to be the pioneer. The only limitations you have are the ones you impose on yourself.

27. “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

If you want a better life, all you have to do is get started. It doesn’t matter if you believe yourself to be a slow learner, because if you never start, you never get anywhere. It’s better to start than to live a life of regret.

28. “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” – Confucius

This is an excellent follow up to #27. You can try to learn as much as you want, but if you do not take action, you won’t get any results. You cannot know everything before you start, so don’t even try. Just begin and expect mistakes. Learn from them and keep going.

29. “Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.” – Buddha

It can take a while to find your passion, but when you do find it, it’s your duty to give it your all. It’s not enough to find your passion; it takes hard work to make it a reality.

30. “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” – Maria Robinson

Dwelling on past mistakes does you no good. You can change everything today if you want to, or you can keep living the life you’ve always lived. It’s up to you, but remember this: every moment is an opportunity to change your life.

Success

31. “All that we are is the result of what we have thought.” – Buddha

Your thought patterns and beliefs determine your life. If you are not happy with where you are, take a look at what beliefs are holding you back from having the life you want.

32. “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” – Aristotle

Find your passion and purpose in life. Love what you do and the end result will reflect it. If you do the work with joy, you will have no trouble perfecting every detail.

33. “God helps those who help themselves.” – Benjamin Franklin

This is an excellent way of saying that once you start taking action, the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place. I’ve experienced this first-hand. It wasn’t until I showed the universe I was serious that I started getting “lucky”.

34. “That some achieve great success is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.” – Abraham Lincoln

You can do what you love. There are people just like you, doing what you want to do. I may have different strengths than you, but in the end that doesn’t matter. If I am more tech-savvy than you doesn’t matter. We all have to find our own path.

35. “A jug fills drop by drop.” – Buddha

You do not need a crystal ball. Knowing what steps to take makes life boring. Take life one day at a time. Enjoy the surprises life throws at you.

36. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

Don’t look at successful people and feel like you are not enough. You are comparing yourself to someone who has worked hard at perfecting his craft. All you can do is start. If you want to get good at something, go do it.

37. “Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.” – Bruce Lee

Keep an open mind when you are following your passion. There will be surprises and obstacles on your path. What impact they have is determined by you. You have the ability to choose if they are positive or negative. Be flexible. Be like bamboo.

38. “A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.” – Bruce Lee

What your goal is doesn’t matter, as long as it is something that inspires you to take action. There are is no reason to be overly serious about what you do. Think back to your childhood years and your playfulness. Emulate it and your life becomes effortless.

39. “The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.” – Chinese Proverb

In order for you to be successful, you will have to go through trials. You will make mistakes, you will screw up and 

you will be scared. It’s a part of life, so stop running away from it and start running towards it.

40. “Everyone who got where he is has had to begin where he was.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

It’s easy to look at someone who’s already rocking it when you yourself haven’t even gotten started. It’s easy to forget that the one you admire has been where you are. It’s easy to forget, so remind yourself of the fact that we are all the same, and if that is true, you can do this as well, even if you doubt yourself.

41. “Fall seven times, Stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb

The most successful people are the most persistent. When I began my journey with making my passion a reality, I didn’t succeed right away. I spent years and thousands of dollars trying to learn. I didn’t give up, which is why I am here today.

42. “The path to success is to take massive, determined action.” – Tony Robbins

Take action. Take Action. Take action. I can’t say it enough. If you want something, you have to take action. Plan, learn and absorb as much as you want, but without action, you will never get to where you want to be.

43. “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. “ – Thomas A. Edison

This is another good quote illustrating the importance of action. How many ideas you have doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that you take action!

Wisdom

44. “When the solution is simple, God is answering.” – Albert Einstein

The human mind has a funny tendency of trying to make everything complex. It takes effort to keep things simple. The more stuff you can eliminate from your plate, the more you get done. Focus on simplicity.

45. “Know thyself.” – Plato

We are all different. You have to find how you work and what makes you happy. Stop looking at others for answers and find your own. It takes time, but there’s no rush anywhere. Enjoy the process, because that’s what life is about.

46. “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” – Lao Tzu

If you’re unhappy, you can’t expect something or someone outside of yourself to fix it. You are the only one responsible for your life. If you want to change and start living with passion, you are the one that has to act.

47. “Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?” – Confucius

There is so much war going on in the world. We need to start treating each other with respect. We are the same species. We are brothers and sisters living on the same planet. We are in this together. Everything that separates us from each other should be reconsidered.

48. “Only the shallow know themselves.” – Oscar Wilde

There is always more you can learn about yourself. Personal development is a never-ending journey. Once you think you know what you’re all about, life will throw a curve-ball at you and you’ll discover new, subtle facets.

49. “Wisely, and slow. They stumble that run fast.” – William Shakespeare

Take it easy. Once you’ve rushed enough in your life, you will realize that there is nowhere to go. The need to go fast comes from a feeling of lack. This feeling can only be remedied from where it originates—the inside.

50. “When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion.” – Abraham Lincoln

This should be the religion of all people on earth. What good is a religion if it separates us? Who cares if your god is better than mine if all it leads to is hatred and war? It’s time to sit down and think about what we’re doing.

51. “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” – Buddha

You may think that being successful or having something will make you happy, but do you really believe that? Once you have strived enough, you may start questioning what society has taught you. We do need the basics, but no more. If you want to be happy and at peace, look inward.

52. “If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” – Bruce Lee

Do not overanalyze. Err on the side of taking too much action, rather than thinking too much. Most people are thinkers, because it is easy, but few are doers. It’s hard, frustrating and sometimes painful, but it works.

53. “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” – Thomas Jefferson

You have to beat this point into your head: take action, and do it now! The stars will never align. Circumstances will never be perfect. The sooner you get started, the better off you will be. You will have to make mistakes, because it is the only way.

Truth

54. “Simplicity is the key to brilliance.” – Bruce Lee

The human mind wants to complicate. It takes awareness to keep things simple. It is only when you embrace simplicity that you start to realize how much you are capable of. This is what Everett did, the author of Art of Being Minimalist.

55. “Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” – Lao Tzu

You already have everything you need. Be grateful for the things you already have. It’s easy to get caught up in the drama of life. Focusing on negativity is easy, but focusing on the positive is what makes a difference and spurs you into action.

56. “The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.” – Confucius

Instead of telling people what to do, go and do it first and then speak. I have had more than a few people tell me that they were going to do something, and they never did. It doesn’t leave a good impression.

57. “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw

Always maintain the beginner’s mind. Whenever you think you’ve got it, you’re mistaken. You are never too old to play. You are never too old to have fun. It all comes down to your perspective.

58. “We acquire the strength we have overcome.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

When you face your fears, you grow stronger. Each time you do something you’re afraid of, it becomes easier. This has been true in my life, so I have no doubt that the same will be true for you. When you start out, it’s hard, but it gets easier. Trust me.

59. “Every choice you make has an end result.” – Zig Ziglar

Be aware of the actions you take and the consequences they have. It’s easy to act in haste. It’s easy to do selfish things. They may look good in the short-term, but in the long-term you’ll be digging your own grave. The same goes for going after your passion. It may be hard in the short-term, but it is more than worth it.

60. “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

When Michael Jordan was a kid, he was horrible at basketball, but he kept failing, practicing and trying, which is why he became great. If you want to make something happen in your life, you have to start failing, trying and moving forward.

Life

61. “Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.” – Unknown

Everything around you and inside you is constantly changing. The people that resist this process are the ones constantly whining and complaining. They are in constant internal agony. Keep going, be curious and remember to breathe.

62. “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu

There is no rush anywhere. The perfection of life lies in the ability to accept the perceived imperfection. This is why I recommend you find your passion, because life is a process that never ends. If you find something you love doing, you will be at peace. If you strive for a big payday, you will be striving even when you hit your goal.

63. “A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu

Have plans, but do not be rigid. Be present and focus on each task. Thinking about an end goal will cause stress, because your mind is focusing on the future, on lack, instead of focusing on what’s in front of you.

64. “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” – Confucius

This is such a simple quote, yet so powerful. If everyone lived by this, the world would be a better place. Treat others with respect and kindness, because that is how you would like to be treated, right?

65. “One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.” – Unknown

One day you will die. Why not make your life worth it? Every fear you have will disappear. They only exist because you have given credence to them. They exist because you allow them to.

66. “Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason” – Jerry Seinfeld

You don’t have to re-invent the wheel if you’re starting something new. It’s perfectly okay to learn from someone who’s already been where you want to be.

67. “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other” – Abraham Lincoln

You determine your success. No tools, strategies or courses can do it for you. If someone has resolution, but bad tools, he will succeed. But it someone has poor resolution and the best tools in the world, I certainly wouldn’t bet on him or her.

68. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” – Plato

We’re all going through this journey together, and we all have our own problems. Remember to be kind. Remember others, because you are not the only one that has problems. Focus your energy on being kind and helping. You will see a difference in your life.

69. “People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within.” – Romana L. Anderson

There is nowhere to go. There is nowhere you have to be. Happiness comes from within and looking for it outside of yourself will only lead you deeper down the rabbit hole.

70. “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” – Muhammed Ali

You have to be willing to take risks. I’m not talking about going for broke with a slim chance of success. I am talking about jumping into the unknown and going after the things that excite you, even if you are afraid.

Time

71. “Procrastination is the bad habit of putting of until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday.” – Napoleon Hill

Take whatever you’re procrastinating on and do it right now. Get into the habit of using your awareness of procrastination as a trigger to take action. When you make it a habit, you are no longer slave to that which we call procrastination.

72. “The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.” – Albert Einstein

Time is an interesting beast, because it is relative. Put your hand on a stove and time moves slowly. Watch an excellent movie with someone you love and time flies by.

73. “Beware the barrenness of a busy life. “ – Socrates

You can do a lot of busy work. Actually doing the work is when you get results, but it’s hard and we tend to procrastinate a lot. If you’re just going to be busy, you might as well do something else. Do something that matters or nothing at all.

74. “Take time for all things: great haste makes great waste. “ – Benjamin Franklin

Remind yourself to be present with whatever you are doing. Keep your focus on one thing. Avoid multi-tasking. It doesn’t allow you to get into the flow and dip your soul into the eternal nature of all that is.

75.  “Time you enjoyed wasting is not wasted time.” – T.S. Elliot

There is nothing wrong with wasting time. I tend to force myself to work, so I’ve had to learn that wasting some time and having fun isn’t a deadly sin. It’s essential to a happy life.

76. “Don’t let the past steal your present” – Cherralea Morgen

We all dwell on the past too much. I know I do. Don’t let your past determine your future. Focus on what you want to do, and go do it. Release the past and step into your potential.

77. “Time spent laughing is time spent with the gods.” – Japanese Proverb

Last, but not least, remember to enjoy your life. Remember to be grateful for the little things. Remember to be kind to the people around you and remember to follow your heart.