Motivational Interviewing Skills and techniques

Motivational Interviewing is an empathic, gentle, and skillful style of counseling that helps practitioners have productive conversations with individuals with co-occurring and other disorders. Essential characteristics of motivational interviewing include:

• Expressing empathy through reflective listening.
• Noting discrepancies between current and desired behavior.
• Avoiding argumentation and rolling with resistance.
• Encourage the consumer's belief that he or she has the ability to change.
• Communicating respect for and acceptance of people and their feelings.
• Establishing a nonjudgmental, collaborative relationship.
• Being a supportive and knowledgeable consultant.
• Complimenting rather than denigrating.
• Listening rather than telling.
• Gently persuading, with the understanding that change is up to the person.
• Providing support throughout the process of recovery.

This approach is different from pressuring a person through threats of negative health consequences, shame, or guilt. The core communications skills of motivational interviewing-asking, informing, listening-are well suited to helping people talk about, commit to, and undertake health behavior change. Empathy, hope, and respect provide the foundation for what is possible in recovery from co-occurring disorders.

It is a crucial, collaborative conversation and joint decision-making process between the practitioner and person receiving treatment. Ultimately, only the individual can make behavior and lifestyle changes to improve his or her health.

Motivational interviewing techniques include:

• Asking open-ended questions
• Using affirmations
• Forming reflective statements
• Providing a summaries

Entrepreneur's Top 4 Infographics of 2014

Often, an idea is best expressed through an infographic. Here at Entrepreneur, it's been a rich year for the medium.
From the habits of self-made billionaires and the world's smartest people, to hot startup scenes and the crazy number of times you sometimes need to try (and fail) before succeeding, these infographics clearly and succinctly walked us through fascinating and often complex topics. Here's a countdown of Entrepreneur.com's most-viewed infographics of 2014.

1. The 7 Hottest Startup Scenes in the U.S.
Based on key benchmarks for entrepreneurs, including the median salary for a technology employee and the price of office space, here are the seven friendliest cities for starting a business.

2. Count It: How Many Times These Business Leaders Tried Before They Succeeded
Success often starts with persistence. The founder of Pandora reached out to investors 300 times before getting funding, and James Dyson invented 5,126 failed vacuum cleaner prototypes before getting one right. Here's a look at business leaders who tried and failed (a lot) before finding success.

3. The World's 20 Hottest Startup Scenes
The U.S. is home to six of the top 10 startup ecosystems in the world, but some surprising cities are upping their game with notable strides in funding, talent, trendsetting and more.

4. What Really Motivates Employees
Money isn't always the biggest motivator. Here's a look at what your employees really want.

3 Secrets to Develop Habits That Matters

The end of the year is a great time to pause, look back and recognize how far you've come. Give yourself a pat on the back, as much of your progress is due to the habits and routines you've put into place.
While developing these habits can be imperative to an entrepreneur's success, adhering to them takes practice and discipline.
For your New Year's resolution, consider taking your habits to the next level. Here are three tips:

1. Think about the end result. I see people spending too much time, energy and focus on the actual habit they are trying to add to their routine. They make a list, fill up their calendar and even get someone to serve as an accountability buddy -- all in the name of the habit. Stop wasting your time formulating a habit, instead focus on the outcome. My suggestion is to spend that time visualizing what the habit will get you. What is the result of taking on that new habit?

2. Have a goal in mind. You've got years -- or maybe even decades -- of experience under your belt. The way you've done things, the routines you've put into place, have gotten you right here, right now. If you're going to change, you're going to have to do things, well, differently.
But to break a lifelong habit or form a new one, you've got to have a specific goal you're marching toward, and it should be measurable. The more exact, the better. There's got to be something you're working on that you can break down to a level of quantification. For instance, if you want to be more punctual, consider writing down how long every task actually takes. This will allow you to observe where you may be wasting time (i.e. checking emails), which may be causing you to be continuously late.

3. More times, less time. If you're picking up a new habit, then by default it means that it's not comfortable. That's why it isn't a habit yet. When starting out go easy on yourself. Make it okay to do less of the habit but more times per a specific time period, like a week or a month.
When I decided to make it habit to get in more in shape, I decided to become a triathlete. In that first year, I can't begin to count the number of seven-minute workouts. Yes, I only worked out for a very short amount of time. My thinking was, "I'd rather do something five times a week, for as much time as I have than to hold myself to some standard that a workout isn't a workout unless it's a certain amount of time." And it worked.
thank you

Two frogs in the milk !!!

This is the story of two frogs. One frog was fat and the other skinny. One day, while searching for food, they inadvertently jumped into a vat of milk. They couldn't get out, as the sides were too slippery, so they were just swimming around.The fat frog said to the skinny frog, "Brother frog, there's no use paddling any longer. We're just going to drown, so we might as well give up." The skinny frog replied, "Hold on brother, keep paddling. Somebody will get us out." And they continued paddling for hours.After a while, the fat frog said, "Brother frog, there's no use. I'm becoming very tired now. I'm just going to stop paddling and drown. It's Sunday and nobody's working. We're doomed. There's no possible way out of here." But the skinny frog said, "Keep trying. Keep paddling. Something will happen, keep paddling." Another couple of hours passed.The fat frog said, "I can't go on any longer. There's no sense in doing it because we're going to drown anyway. What's the use?" And the fat frog stopped. He gave up. And he drowned in the milk. But the skinny frog kept on paddling.Ten minutes later, the skinny frog felt something solid beneath his feet. He had churned the milk into butter and he hopped out of the vat.Author: Melissa D Zartman

Every bucket counts !!!

Once day, having learned that the King of Fez was hunting lions in the neighbourhood, they decided to invite him and his court, and killed a number of sheep in his honour. The sovereign had dinner and went to bed. Wishing to show their generosity, they placed a huge goatskin bottle before his door and agreed to fill it up with milk for the royal breakfast.

The villagers all had to milk their goats and then each of them had to tip his bucket into the container. Given its great size, each of them said to himself that he might just as well dilute his milk with a good quantity of water without anyone noticing.

To the extent that, in the morning, such a thin liquid was poured out for the king and his court that it had no taste than the taste of meanness and greed.

Source: "Leo The African" by Amin Maalouf

A turn of the screw !!!!

There was an industrialist whose production line inexplicably breaks down, costing him millions per day. He finally tracks down an expert who takes out a screwdriver, turns one screw, and then - as the factory cranks back to life - presents a bill for £10,000.

Affronted, the factory owner demands an itemised version. The expert is happy to oblige: "For turning a screw: £1. For knowing which screw to turn: £9,999."

Author: Oliver Burkeman in "The Guardian Weekend", 13 August 2011

Your influence on the universe !!!!

I read the first chapter of "A Brief History Of Time" when Dad was still alive, and I got incredibly heavy boots about how relatively insignificant life is, and how, compared to the universe and compared to time, it didn't even matter if I existed at all.When Dad was tucking me in that night and we were talking about the book, I asked if he could think of a solution to that problem. "What problem?" "The problem of how relatively insignificant we are."He said, "Well, what would happen if a plane dropped you in the middle of the Sahara Desert and you picked up a single grain of sand with tweezers and moved it one millimetre?" I said, "I'd probably die of dehydration." He said, "I just mean right then, when you moved that single grain of sand. What would that mean?"I said, "I dunno, what?" He said. "Think about it." I thought about it. "I guess I would have moved a grain of sand." "Which would mean?" "Which would mean I moved a grain of sand?" "Which would mean you changed the Sahara.""So?" "So?" So the Sahara is a vast desert. And it has existed for million of years. And you changed it!" "That's true!" I said, sitting up. "I changed the Sahara!""Which means?" he said. "What? Tell me." "Well, I'm not talking about painting the Mona Lisa or curing cancer. I'm just talking about moving that one grain of sand one millimetre.""Yeah?" "If you hadn't done it, human history would have been one way ..." "Uh-huh?" "But, you did do it, so...?"I stood on the bed, pointed my fingers at the fake stars, and screamed: "I changed the universe!" "You did."Source: "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer

The fence !!!

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily, gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said “you have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.” You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. Make sure you control your temper the next time you are tempted to say something you will regret later.

The hedgehogs !!!

It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold.

The hedgehogs, realizing the situation, decided to group together to keep warm. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions.

After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.

Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. They learned to live with the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order to receive the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.

The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities.

The tiger's whisker !!!

Once upon a time, a young wife named Yun Ok was at her wit's end. Her husband had always been a tender and loving soulmate before he had left for the wars but, ever since he returned home, he was cross, angry, and unpredictable. She was almost afraid to live with her own husband. Only in glancing moments did she catch a shadow of the husband she used to know and love.

When one ailment or another bothered people in her village, they would often rush for a cure to a hermit who lived deep in the mountains. Not Yun Ok. She always prided herself that she could heal her own troubles. But this time was different. She was desperate.

As Yun Ok approached the hermit's hut, she saw the door was open. The old man said without turning around: "I hear you. What's your problem?"

She explained the situation. His back still to her, he said, "Ah yes, it's often that way when soldiers return from the war. What do you expect me to do about it?"

"Make me a potion!" cried the young wife. "Or an amulet, a drink, whatever it takes to get my husband back the way he used to be."

The old man turned around. "Young woman, your request doesn't exactly fall into the same category as a broken bone or ear infection."

"I know", said she.

"It will take three days before I can even look into it. Come back then."

Three days later, Yun Ok returned to the hermit's hut. "Yun Ok", he greeted her with a smile, "I have good news. There is a potion that will restore your husband to the way he used to be, but you should know that it requires an unusual ingredient. You must bring me a whisker from a live tiger."

"What?" she gasped. "Such a thing is impossible!"

"I cannot make the potion without it!" he shouted, startling her. He turned his back. "There is nothing more to say. As you can see, I'm very busy."

That night Yun Ok tossed and turned. How could she get a whisker from a live tiger?

The next day before dawn, she crept out of the house with a bowl of rice covered with meat sauce. She went to a cave on the mountainside where a tiger was known to live. She clicked her tongue very softly as she crept up, her heart pounding, and carefully set the bowl on the grass. Then, trying to make as little noise as she could, she backed away.

The next day before dawn, she took another bowl of rice covered with meat sauce to the cave. She approached the same spot, clicking softly with her tongue. She saw that the bowl was empty, replaced the empty one with a fresh one, and again left, clicking softly and trying not to break twigs or rustle leaves, or do anything else to startle and unsettle the wild beast.

So it went, day after day, for several months. She never saw the tiger (thank goodness for that! she thought) though she knew from footprints on the ground that the tiger - and not a smaller mountain creature - had been eating her food. Then one day as she approached, she noticed the tiger's head poking out of its cave. Glancing downward, she stepped very carefully to the same spot and with as little noise as she could, set down the fresh bowl and, her heart pounding, picked up the one that was empty.

After a few weeks, she noticed the tiger would come out of its cave as it heard her footsteps, though it stayed a distance away (again, thank goodness! she thought, though she knew that someday, in order to get the whisker, she'd have to come closer to it).

Another month went by. Then the tiger would wait by the empty food bowl as it heard her approaching. As she picked up the old bowl and replaced it with a fresh one, she could smell its scent, as it could surely smell hers.

"Actually", she thought, remembering its almost kittenish look as she set down a fresh bowl, "it is a rather friendly creature, when you get to know it." The next time she visited, she glanced up at the tiger briefly and noticed what a lovely downturn of reddish fur it had from over one of its eyebrows to the next. Not a week later, the tiger allowed her to gently rub its head, and it purred and stretched like a house cat.

Then she knew the time had come. The next morning, very early, she brought with her a small knife. After she set down the fresh bowl and the tiger allowed her to pet its head, she said in a low voice: "Oh, my tiger, may I please have just one of your whiskers?" While petting the tiger with one hand, she held one whisker at its base and, with the other hand, in one quick stroke, she carved the whisker off. She stood up, speaking softly her thanks, and left, for the last time.

The next morning seemed endless. At last her husband left for the rice fields. She ran to the hermit's hut, clutching the precious whisker in her fist. Bursting in, she cried to the hermit: "I have it! I have the tiger's whisker!"

"You don't say?" he said, turning around. "From a live tiger?"

"Yes!" she said.

"Tell me", said the hermit, interested. "How did you do it?"

Yun Ok told the hermit how, for the last six months, she had earned the trust of the creature and it had finally permitted her to cut off one of its whiskers. With pride she handed him the whisker. The hermit examined it, satisfied himself that it was indeed a whisker from a live tiger, then flicked it into the fire where it sizzled and burned in an instant.

"Yun Ok", the hermit said softly, "you no longer need the whisker. Tell me, is a man more vicious than a tiger? If a dangerous wild beast will respond to your gradual and patient care, do you think a man will respond any less willingly?"

Yun Ok stood speechless. Then she turned and stepped down the trail, turning over in her mind images of the tiger and of her husband, back and forth. She knew what she could do.

Source: Korean fable

The two hospital patients !!!

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on holiday.

And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch and, after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

The law of the garbage truck !!!

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!

The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck'.

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally, just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

I wanted to change the world !!!

When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.

I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.

When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.

Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.

Author: unknown monk around 1100 AD

The last ride !!!

'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.' 'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way',' I answered quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.' I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left', she continued in a soft voice. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. 'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing', I said 'You have to make a living', she answered. 'There are other passengers', I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy', she said. 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.

Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Author: New York City taxi driver

BUILDING BRIDGES !!!

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.
Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.
One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work," he said.
"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"
"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence - an 8-foot fence - so I won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow."
The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."
The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.
The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.
About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.
There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge... a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work handrails and all - and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.
"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."
The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."

A POUND OF BUTTER !!!

There was a farmer who sold a pound of butter to the baker. One day the baker decided to weigh the butter to see if he was getting a pound and he found that he was not. This angered him and he took the farmer to court. The judge asked the farmer if he was using any measure. The farmer replied, amour Honor, I am primitive. I don't have a proper measure, but I do have a scale." The judge asked, "Then how do you weigh the butter?" The farmer replied "Your Honor, long before the baker started buying butter from me, I have been buying a pound loaf of bread from him. Every day when the baker brings the bread, I put it on the scale and give him the same weight in butter. If anyone is to be blamed, it is the baker."


What is the moral of the story? We get back in life what we give to others. Whenever you take an action, ask yourself this question: Am I giving fair value for the wages or money I hope to make? Honesty and dishonesty become a habit. Some people practice dishonesty and can lie with a straight face. Others lie so much that they don't even know what the truth is anymore. But who are they deceiving? Themselves

MEANINGLESS GOALS !!!

A farmer had a dog who used to sit by the roadside waiting for vehicles to come around. As soon as one came he would run down the road, barking and trying to overtake it. One day a neighbor asked the farmer "Do you think your dog is ever going to catch a car?" The farmer replied, "That is not what bothers me. What bothers me is what he would do if he ever caught one." Many people in life behave like that dog who is pursuing meaningless goals.


Life is hard by the yard, 
but by the inch, 
it's a cinch. 

--Gean Gordon

Stories about being yourself !!!

Once a king came to the garden and saw fading and dying trees, bushes, and flowers. An oak said that he dies because it can’t be as high as a pine. Applying to a pine tree, the king found her falling down because it can’t give grapes like a grapevine. And grapevine was dying because she couldn’t blossom like a rose. Soon he found a single plant, pleasing heart, bloomy and fresh. After questioning, he received the following answer: - I think it’s a natural event, because when you planted me, you wanted to get a joy. If you would like to grow an oak, grapes or rose, you would put them. So I think that I can’t be anything else than what I am. And I try to develop my best qualities. Look at yourself. You can only be yourself. It is impossible for you to become someone else. You can joy and blossom or you can fade if you do not accept yourself.

Short stories on how to be happy !!!

An old man lived in the village. He was one of the most unfortunate people in the world. The whole village was tired of him, he was always gloomy, constantly complained and always was in a bad mood. The longer he lived, the more bile was becoming and the more poisonous were his words. People avoided him, because his misfortune became contagious. It was even unnaturally and insulting to be happy next to him. He created the feeling of unhappiness in others.

But one day, when he got eighty years old, an incredible thing hap-pened. Instantly everyone heard the rumor: "An Old Man is happy today, he doesn’t complain anything, smiles, and even his face is freshened up ." The whole village gathered together. An old man was asked:
- What happened to you ?
- Nothing special - he answered. - Eighty years I've been chasing happiness, and it was useless. Then I decided to live without happiness and just enjoy life. That's why I'm happy.

Motivational stories about challenges !!!

Once a small gap appeared in the cocoon, through which the butterfly had to appear. A man, who accidentally passed by, stopped and watched how the butterfly was trying to get out of the cocoon. It took a lot of time, the butterfly was trying very hard, and the gap was as little as before. It seemed that the power would leave the butterfly soon. 

Then a man decided to help the butterfly. He took a penknife and cut the cocoon. The butterfly immediately got out, but her body was weak and feeble, and the wings were barely moving.

A man continued to watch at the butterfly, thinking that now her wings would spread and she would fly. However, that did not happen.

The rest of her life the butterfly had to drag her weak body and wings that weren’t spread. She was unable to fly, because a man who wanted to help her did not realize that an effort to enter through the narrow gap of the cocoon was necessary for the butterfly, so that the life-giving fluid would move from the body to the butterfly’s wings and that the butterfly could fly. Life forced the butterfly to leave her shell hardly, so that it would become stronger and would be able to grow and develop. 

If we were allowed to live without meeting difficulties, we would be via-ble. Life gives us challenges to make us stronger. 

Inspirational stories about achieving dreams !!!

Two grains were lying side by side on the fertile soil. The first grain said: "I want to grow up ! I want to put down roots deep into the ground and sprout from the ground. I dream to blossom in delicate buds and proclaim the coming of spring. I want to feel the warm rays of sun and the dew drops on my petals !".

This grain grew up and became a beautiful flower.

The second grain said: "I 'm afraid. If I will put down my roots into the ground, I don’t know what they will face there. If I will grow tender stems, they can be damaged by wind. And if there will be flowers , they may be disrupted . So I'd rather wait for the safer time.

The second grain was waiting. While the chicken that passed by did not peck it. 

Inspirational stories about strength !!!

Once, a person decided to realize his dream. Only he didn’t have enough strength to do it. Then he turned to his mother:
- Mother, help me!
- Darling, I would be glad to help you, only I don’t have it. And everything I have, I already give to you…
He asked a wise man:
- Master, tell me, where can I get strength?
- It is said that, it is on the Everest. Only I couldn’t find anything there, except the snowy winds. And when I came back, the time was irretrievably lost…
He asked the hermit:
- Holy Father, where to find strength for realizing my dream?
- In your prayers, my son. And if your dream is false, you will understand it and find peace in your prayers…
Who didn’t the person ask, but the results of his search were only confusion.
- Why are you so confused? - asked an old man passing by.
- Yes, I have a dream, good man. But I don’t know where to find strength for realizing it. I asked everyone already- from Everest to hell. But there was no one who could help me. 
- Not everyone, - a light flashed in an old man’s eyes, - did you ask yourself that?

Inspirational stories about goal setting !!!

One man was searching for an answer to the question: “What is the power? “ He found out that there was a sage in his region. He came to this sage and saw that there was a nice house instead of poor shag and children were playing in the yard… A man was surprised; he thought that people who comprehended the truth, should live differently. He asked the owner to help him to find the answer.
A sage said:
— You can find the strength yourself. Seek your way or follow the road of the ancestors.
One man, looking for perfection, was training hard day after day. And he knew the power of body.
Not bowing to the difficulties, he went ahead. Defeated himself. And he knew the power of spirit.
Comprehending the thoughts of great people, he found his opinion. And he knew the power of knowledge.
He fell in love, bowed down to the earth goddess of his heart. And he knew the power of feelings.
He got a house, a family, took his child in the arms, and knew the power of life. Encountering the unknown with pacification, he did not regret about the past and knew the power of death.

Inspirational stories about uniqueness !!!

Think of all the people who live or ever lived on our planet since the very beginning of time. None of them is like you! What a miraculous thing is to be you! Nobody has the same combination of talents, abilities, sorrows and opportunities. No one has the same friends, family jokes, acquaintances. Nobody‘s finger prints are the same. No one has the same concerns or goals like you. No one! You are unique!

Accept and enjoy this uniqueness. You don‘t have to pretend to look more like other expect you to be. Don‘t be afraid to be different. No one in the world has the same things going on in his mind, soul, spirit as are going on in yours. It is a gift only to you. Treasure and share your uniqueness!

Nobody can speak your words. Nobody can smile your smile. No one can bring the same unique impact of you to another person. 

Enjoy your uniqueness, let it flow out amoung your family and friends, all the people you meet. 

Give yourself away and be inspired by the fact that you are UNIQUE! 

Inspirational stories about overcoming challenges !!!

My friend Jerry was one of the most positive people I had ever known. He was always in a good mood and always had something encouraging to say. 

He was a manager at a restaurant. If his employee had a bad day, Jerry always helped him to look on the positive side of the situation.

Jerry‘s attitude truly amazed me. So one day I asked him: „How can you be so positive all the time?“. He replied: „You see, every morning I tell myself, that I have two choses for that day – to be in a good mood or in a bad. I choose the good one. And when something wrong happens, I can be sad and angry or I can learn from it instead. I choose to learn. Thus I choose the positive side of life“. I said: „It is not that easy“. He replied: „Yeas it is. Life is all about choses. You can choose how people or situation will affect your mood, your life“.

One morning Jerry left the restaurant‘s back door open and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. He tried to open the safe, but his hands shaked due to nervousness and he slipped off the combination. So the robbers shot him. Fortunately, Jerry was quickly found and brought to the nearest hospital. After many hours of surgery and long intensive care, Jerry was released home. 

When I met him, I asked, what were his thoughts durign the robbery. „I thought that I should have locked the back door“, he replied. „Then, when I laid on the floor, I remembered about my choses in this case: a chose to live and a chose to die. I chose to live.“

I asked, if he were scared. Jerry continued: „When they wheeled me into emergency room and I looked at the faces of doctors, I got truly scared. I knew, that I need to do something. So when the nurse asked me, if I was allergic to anything, I replied „Yes“. Doctors and nurses stopped working as waited for my answer. I took a deep breath and yelled „Bullets“. They started laughing and I asked: „My chose is to live, operate me as I am alive, not dead“. 

Now Jerry is alive owing to skills of his doctors, however his amazing attitude played an important role too. I learned from him, that every day we should choose to live fully no matter what.

Inspirational stories about marriage !!!

I was waiting to pick up a friend at the airport. That day I had one of those experiences that change people‘s lives. It happened just two feet away from me. I noticed a man, carrying two bags, coming toward me. He stopped next to me to greet his family. 

First of all he laid down his bag and came closer to his younger son (about six years old), they gave each other a warm, loving hug. Then the father looked in his son‘s eyes with words: „I missed you so much, it‘s so good to see you, son!“. The boy smiled and said: „Me too, dad“.

Then the man talked to his older son (nine or ten years old). „Oh, you are quite the young man, I love you very much!“ and cupped his face. Then they had the most tender hug too.

Afterwards the father said „Hi, baby girl“ to his baby daughter. She was squirling excitedly in her mother‘s arm and watching her returning father all the time. The man gently took his little daughter, quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest. The little girl laid her head on his shoulder in pure contentment.

After several moments, then man looked at his wife and said „I‘ve saved the best for last“ and shared with her the most passionate kiss. They stared at each other, beaming big smiles. They reminded me of newlyweds. 

Suddenly, I heard myself asking „Wow, how old have you been married?“. „Been together fourteen years, and married twelve of those“ . „Well then, have long have you been away?“. He replied with joaway?“. He replied with joyous smile on his face: „Two whole days!“.

I was stunned, as I imagined that he had been gone for several weeks at last. I could only say: „I hope that my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years“. The man looked straight into my eyes and told me something that changed my life:

„Don‘t hope, friend, decide!“... 

Happiness is relative story!

Two men were jailed in the same cell. They were in the same conditions, but one of them was unhappy, and the other one was happy.
- Why are you so sad? – a happy man asked unhappy man. 
- What should I joy for? I am unlucky. Recently I was free and had a rest at the resort, and then, as you know, is more interesting than here - unhappy man answered and asked a happy man: - And why are you so satisfied? 
- You see, - a happy man said, - recently I was in another prison, where the conditions are much worse, and there is just a resort here, compared to what it was. Many people want to get here, but I am the lucky one. So why don’t I have to joy? 
Everything is relative and has to be learned in comparison. If you want to be happy, just compare your current position not with what is better, but with what would be worse. 

Inspirational stories about giving up !

This is a story about how important is being persistent and never give up, no matter how many failures you have experienced in the past. A man was spending his holiday in Africa. One day he watched the elephants passing by. To his great surprise these giant strong animals were being held only by a small rope, tied to their front leg. Obviously, they could easily run away any moment. However, they did not. Then he saw a trainer and asked him, how could this happen that not a single elephant makes an attemp to break free. The trainer explained: „When the elephants are very young, we use the same size rope to tie them, and at that time it is enough to hold them. Gradually they grow up, get stronger, nevertheless they never try to get away, as they believe that the rope will still hold them. The man was stunned. These strong animals could break free any time, but they did not, because they believed that this is impossible. Sometimes people act like elephants, when they give up after the first failure. Remember, that failures are part of learning. If we want to succeed, we should never give up, but try and try again.

Encouraging story about changing !

Once upon a time, there was an unfortunate poor man. His home was also very poor – a small and empty house, where mice made their nests and spiders made their webs. People tried to avoid coming into his house – why should they stick their noses into those poor ruins? And the poor man thought that poverty is the reason of his misfortunes – his eternal destiny.
So once, the poor man met a wizard and complained to him about his poverty and miserable life. The wizard felt sorry for the poor man and gave him an unprecedented vase. And said:
- This is a magical vase that will save you from poverty.
The poor man took the vase and wanted to sell it at first and then spend the money on alcohol, as usual, besides, why would he need such a beautiful thing? But then he started admiring the vase and couldn’t take it to the market. He brought the vase home, put it on the table and started admiring it. 
- It’s not right for such a beautiful thing to be empty, - the poor man thought. So he picked some wildflowers and put them into the vase. 
It became even more beautiful.
- Not good, - the poor man though again, - that such a beautiful thing stands next to a spider web. 
So the poor man started cleaning his house from spider webs, sweeping out cockroaches and mice, cleaning the dust, washing the floor and the walls, whitening the ceiling. 
And it became clear that his house wasn’t poor, but rather warm and cosy. And the poor man wasn’t a poor man anymore, but a hard working host, who had no time for thoughts about misfortune.

Inspirational stories about determination !

I will tell you a story of my friend Monty Roberts. 

As he was a kid, his father as a horse trainer was moving from stable to stable, from ranch to ranch, training horses. Thus, the boy‘s school career was constantly interrupted. One day, when he was a senior, teacher asked him to write about what he wanted to be when he grew up. He did not hesitate a minute and wrote seven-page paper about his aim to be an owner of a horse ranch, he wrote many details and drew a location of buildings and stables and even a detailed house plan. 

Two days later he received his paper back with letter „F“ on the front page. After class he came to teacher and asked: „Why did I receive an F?“. The teacher responded: „This dreams is so unrealistic for a boy like you, who has no money, no resources and who comes from itinerant family. There is no possibility that you will reach your great goals one day.“ Then the teacher offered to rewrite the paper with more realistic attitude.

The boy went home and asked his father, how should he act. The father answered: „This decision is very important for you. So you have to make your own mind on this“.

After several days the boy brought the same paper to his teacher. No changes were made. He said: „Keep the F and I will keep my dream“.

Now Monty Roberts owns 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of 200-acre horse ranch and he still has that school paper, which now is framed over the fireplace.

Remember, you have to follow your heart and never let anyone to steal your dreams.

Inspirational quotes

Acknowledgement that the extra life we are given is not just for us but for the benefit of others who we will continue to meet in our extended life’s journey.- Arthur Ammann

It means to me the opportunity of a lifetime. I feel so honored to have been1 of the 10 chosen to receive this prestigious reward. It’s nice to see more people who have given back to society with their ‘extra life’.- George Dove

It was a celebration of giving, kindness, inspiration and love in motion. We are forever connected in spirit and hopefully we’ll see each other again. THANK YOU ALL!- Bruce Harper

So wonderful. It gives me confidence and courage.- Jean-Paul Iyamuremye

It was the first time my work has been recognized. I didn’t think that was important but it was surprisingly powerful. I’m honored to be a part of this group.- Jennifer Jones

It’s nice to know that Medtronic really cares and pays attention to its patients.- Edward Levien

Being a part of the Bakken Invitation which spans countries, cultures and medical therapies was life changing.- Sara Meslow

The Bakken Invitation was the most incredible honor I have ever received! I have won Ms. Wheelchair America, carried the Olympic Torch & received other awards, but this is the most amazing honor. To win an award from a man & company that truly changed my life. There are not enough words or sentences!!- Tracy O'Connor

Helped me remember how impactful it is to share your story with others. It inspires us all to give back!- Allison Smith-Conway

I can’t find the proper words to express what it means for me. I can only say that I will never forget it, I will always be grateful and you will always be able to count on me.- Claudia Tecglen

Inspirational story !

Youth Changemaker: Sixto Cancel

Sixto Cancel grew up in Connecticut in several foster homes. Despite his challenges in unstable families, Sixto graduated high school and entered Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011.

Changemaking came early to Sixto. As a sophomore in high school, he was involved in a local Youth Board and noticed that, like himself, his peers in foster care were struggling with the SATs. So, he launched a project called Stellar Works, which offered afterschool tutoring and transportation for high school students with a history of foster care involvement. He convinced numerous teachers at the charter school he attended to volunteer to be tutors and mentors to these students.

It wasn't long before he noticed that many of his peers didn't just need help with the SATs but also with basic skills like math and reading. And he knew that this wasn’t just a problem in his town—youth in foster care all over the state were struggling to get the educational supports they needed.

With the support of the youth board, Sixto approached lawmakers for the state of Connecticut and made the case for expanding the budget to build out his program and hire teachers trained to provide remedial supports. And he got it. With $17,500 from Connecticut and an additional $5,000 from a private donor, they were able to provide essential tutoring for youth in need for the next two years.

Since forming Stellar Works, Sixto has busied himself with numerous leadership and policymaking opportunities, including getting involved with national advocacy and advisory organizations that give youth in foster care a voice. His primary goal has been extending the duration and quality of foster care supports to youth.

Uniting Siblings in Care

As a Young Fellow at the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, an organization working to improve the foster care system, Sixto has had the opportunity to participate in national conversations on how to improve outcomes for youth who leave foster care, including assisting in the Success Beyond 18 campaign—a national campaign calling on states to make sustainable reforms to foster care that support youth aging out of the system.

He also was a part of a large youth-led campaign in for the Siblings Bill in Connecticut and other New England states. The bill was passed in 2012, giving young people in foster care the right to visit their siblings. Read his testimony here.

Sixto continues his advocacy as a member of the National Foster Care and Alumni Policy Council, where he offers policy recommendations and a youth perspective to George Sheldon, the Acting Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families. Every six months, the Council meets with federal bureaus including the White House and SAMHSA to give policy recommendations on foster care policy and specific issues the young members care about and have faced, including sex trafficking.

“It’s an honor to represent young people in foster care on the national level and share my story and also represent the hundreds of other young people in foster care,” says Sixto. “It’s also a lot of weight to be the representative of my peers. But if you present an issue the right way, you can change the whole dynamic of an issue.”

Duffels Not Trash Bags for Youth

In 2013, Sixto went grassroots. With the youth advocacy powerhouse DoSomething, he launched a petition calling on the Connecticut Department of Children and families to break the tradition of giving foster youth who have aged out of the system a garbage bag for their belongings—and to instead give them duffel bags.

“It’s hard enough to lose a parent, friends or a home,” Sixto said in his petition, “but when my belongings were thrown into a trash bag, I’d lost my dignity. No child or young person deserves to feel this way.”

The petition garnered over 10,000 signatures. During the process the youth learned that Connecticut actually had a policy in place to provide duffel bags instead of garbage bags but was not following it.
 

A "Youth Life Coach" Video Library

Sixto is also the founder of Think of Us, a Commitment of Action for the Clinton Global Initiative America. Think of Us is dedicated to creating an online library of videos that will coach youth through their experiences in youth serving systems, among other social impact consulting work. The videos will bring together voices of youth in or formerly involved with foster care, social workers, probation officers and even parents who have given up children to foster care. 

Combining learning sciences, real-life stories and how-to videos, Sixto hopes to provide a unique and comprehensive virtual collection of lessons on everything from how to fix a broken car part to how to transfer out of the juvenile justice system and getting started in earning a college degree online.

Sixto describes his social mission as one thing: "to help vulnerable youth become the best person that they can be."

A Champion of Youth Engagement in Policymaking

“Young people are told that the sky is the limit, but not everyone has the same opportunities," he says. "Policy and legations dictate the lives of all youth but especially vulnerable youth like youth in foster care and in juvenile justice system. It is our responsibility as an invisible population to be the voice for venerable youth so that we keep the moral principles that this country was made alive."

"We need a Presidential Youth Council so that influencers could better understand us, serve us and to co-create opportunities for all Americans to reach the American dream through an adult-youth partnership," he adds.

“I am shocked and honored to be named a Top 24 Under 24 Youth Changemaker. It makes me feel even more responsible to my calling. Being a Changemaker has everything to do with the whole network of people who I have worked with over the years to improve the lives of youth who have had similar traumatic experiences like me. No one person has the ability to change everything about a social issue—but together we have the ability create lasting positive impact.”

37 Inspirational Quotes That Will Change Your Life !!!

A beautiful collection of Inspirational quotes that are loved and highly shared throughout our Twitter & Facebook pages.

Inspirational Life Quotes

“Just know, when you truly want success, you’ll never give up on it. No matter how bad the situation may get.” - Unknown

“Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else.” – Les Brown

“I don’t regret the things I’ve done, I regret the things I didn’t do when I had the chance.” –Unknown

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” - Joshua J. Marine

“Its hard to wait around for something you know might never happen; but its harder to give up when you know its everything you want.” – Unknown

“One of the most important keys to Success is having the discipline to do what you know you should do, even when you dont feel like doing it.” - Unknown

“Good things come to those who wait… greater things come to those who get off their ass and do anything to make it happen.” - Unknown

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, or worn. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace & gratitude.” - Denis Waitley

“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” – Bill Cosby

“Go where you are celebrated – not tolerated. If they can’t see the real value of you, it’s time for a new start.” – Unknown

Dont be afraid to stand for what you believe in, even if that means standing alone.. - Unknown

“The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra

“Forget all the reasons it won’t work and believe the one reason that it will.” - Unknown

“I am thankful for all of those who said NO to me. Its because of them I’m doing it myself.” – Albert Einstein

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs

“Life is short, live it. Love is rare, grab it. Anger is bad, dump it. Fear is awful, face it. Memories are sweet, cherish it.” – Unknown

“When you say “It’s hard”, it actually means “I’m not strong enough to fight for it”. Stop saying its hard. Think positive!” - Unknown

“Life is like photography. You need the negatives to develop.” - Unknown

“Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.” – Jack Canfield

“The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow. For every challenge encountered there is opportunity for growth.” - Unknown

“Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs.” – Farrah Gray

“The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible.” – Joel Brown

“Self confidence is the most attractive quality a person can have. how can anyone see how awesome you are if you can’t see it yourself?” – Unknown

“We learn something from everyone who passes through our lives.. Some lessons are painful, some are painless.. but, all are priceless.” - Unknown

“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. it means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” - Unknown

“Nobody ever wrote down a plan to be broke, fat, lazy, or stupid. Those things are what happen when you don’t have a plan.” – Larry Winget

“Three things you cannot recover in life: the WORD after it’s said, the MOMENT after it’s missed and the TIME after it’s gone. Be Careful!” – Unknown

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” – Carl Bard

“When the past calls, let it go to voicemail, believe me, it has nothing new to say.” - Unknown

“Rule #1 of life. Do what makes YOU happy.” - Unknown

“Walk away from anything or anyone who takes away from your joy. Life is too short to put up with fools.” – Unknown

“Love what you have. Need what you want. Accept what you receive. Give what you can. Always remember, what goes around, comes around…” – Unknwon

“Just remember there is someone out there that is more than happy with less than what you have.” – Unknown

“The biggest failure you can have in life is making the mistake of never trying at all.” – Unknown

“Life has two rules: #1 Never quit #2 Always remember rule # 1.” - Unknown

“No one is going to hand me success. I must go out & get it myself. That’s why I’m here. To dominate. To conquer. Both the world, and myself.” - Unknown