Cool Runnings is a true story of motivation

Posted on by Phil

Everyone laughed when a ragtag team of men from Jamaica tried to enter the Olympics as a bobsled team. But it was they who had the last laugh at the Calgary games as they sailed into victory.

While the team did not end up winning a medal, they earned respect as bobsled contenders and their story was immortalized in the 1993 film Cool Runnings.

Some members of the team were runners, others were pushcart racers, but none of them had experience on ice. After all, they were from balmy Jamaica. However, they trained hard and took personal responsibility to work toward their goal of making it to the Olympics.

They were off to a bumpy start, but soon impressed crowds with their speed and precision. At the end of the games, as they neared the finish line, an accident occurred and their sled flipped over. The audience was silenced with shock and fear, but the men pulled themselves up, lifted the sled over their heads and walked proudly toward the finish line.

Ilchi Lee believes that this kind of motivation is what it takes for an individual to live a fulfilled existence.  

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Celine Dion sings of eternal love

Posted on by Phil

The 1997 film Titanic gave the world more than a story about love that can survive death and time. It also brought into light the wonder that is Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On.

Dion's song is about a woman who has lost her lover but still feels the power of their love as she lives on in the wake of his absence.

"Near, far, wherever you are / I believe that the heart does go on / Once more you open the door / And you're here in my heart / And my heart will go on," Dion sang.

This song has remained a classic for both its inspirational lyrics and Dion's impressive vocal range. The kind of love that the Canadian singer tells of is also known as Tau, an ever-lasting, all-encompassing kind of positivity that has the power to lead to a more peaceful mankind.

Author and flutist Ilchi Lee believes that Tau is one of the most powerful forces on the planet and that all individuals should strive toward achieving it.  

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Foreigner inspires young musicians to follow life dreams

Posted on by Phil

The 1980s smash hit Jukebox Hero by Foreigner likely inspired many young guitar players of the time to let go of the things holding them back, pick up a guitar and rock on.

The song begins by painting a picture of a man who has been left out in the rain after the defeat of failing to score a ticket to see his favorite band. However, the next day, that individual saw the light of inspiration and picked up an old six string.

"Didn't know how to play it, but he knew for sure / That one guitar, felt good in his hands, didn't take long, to understand / Just one guitar, slung way down low / Was a one way ticket, only one way to go / So he started rocking, ain't never gonna stop," sang the musical genius Lou Gramm.

Playing the guitar made the young man feel alive and as though there is purpose in his life. He took the personal responsibility to pursue his dream and fulfillment.

Ilchi Lee believes that this is what it takes to be successful in life. If all individuals lived like the young man in Foreigner's Jukebox Hero, then the world might be a better place.  

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Disney movie Up implies there is no limit to human potential

Posted on by Phil

The 2009 film Up made many theater-goers cry within the first 20 minutes, but it is not a sad story, as it shows what a person can do when they use their full brain potential to reach their destiny. 

As a boy, Carl Fredricksen meets a spunky redhead named Ellie. The two go on to be best of friends, making big plans to visit Paradise Falls in South America.

They end up getting married, and do not ever forget about their dream even while they are set back by financial responsibilities. Carl and Ellie grow old together, and sadly, the man outlives his wife.

He lives a secluded existence for a while until he finds himself on his way to the falls in his house that is suspended in air by balloons with some unexpected travel companions. A young boy scout and a talking dog show Carl the beauty in life as they continue on their adventure to Paradise Falls.

The story is touching as it encourages audiences to follow their life dreams. The tenacity and motivation displayed by Carl are aspects which Ilchi Lee believes can lead to personal fulfillment.  

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Rudy is an inspirational story of determination

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Based on the true story of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, the 1993 film Rudy tells a story of what an individual can do when they take the personal responsibility to fulfill their dreams.

The story centers around a young man who dreams of playing football for Notre Dame, but relinquishes his dream because of a perceived lack of intelligence and athletic ability. However, the death of one of his close friends makes him realize that life is too short to not pursue lifelong dreams.

Rudy leaves his hometown, enrolls in a junior college near Notre Dame and receives tutoring from a trusted mentor. He gets a job working maintenance, and eventually achieves grades that are good enough to get him accepted into the notable university.

He takes a job with the football team as a tackling dummy, but his team soon realizes Rudy's true potential and allows him to honorarily participate in a game, letting the young man reach his destiny.

Stories like this one show what can happen when individuals assume personal responsibility for their happiness and work hard toward their goals. Ilchi Lee believes this is the best way to be successful in life.  

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Getting into a routine can be key

Posted on by Phil

Remaining productive at work is part of one's personal responsibility, and this can be accomplished by getting into a routine and setting daily benchmarks.

While routines lasting for long periods of time can have negative consequences in a person's life and perhaps make them feel too comfortable, they can be beneficial in the workplace.

As most workplaces typically have many similar days in a row, such routines can be relatively easy to get into, which can have a positive effect on one's level of productivity.

For instance, it can be tremendously helpful to set certain benchmarks over the course of the day. Setting goals of accomplishing a certain amount of work prior to lunch and in a certain amount of time can help a person stay on the right track and maintain a balanced work schedule.

With these routines, workers still need to be cognizant of potential hiccups during the day, which can break up one's groove and negatively affect one's schedule. In these cases, working for a little while longer on certain days can ensure that a person catches up and gets back in the swing of things before too much time has passed.
 

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Son’s Gonna Rise talks about the temporary state of life events

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Ilchi Lee believes that spiritual growth is dependent in part on understanding that the state of things is often a temporary one, whether that means a certain mood, thought or life event. Everything is always changing, which means that it's important to adapt to transitions and expect the unexpected.

Son's Gonna Rise by Citizen Cope is a song that has this theme at its core. It details how love saved singer Clarence Greenwood's life, and when things are bad, a person only needs to look down the road to see the next bright event on the horizon.

Greenwood talks about his experience when his wife was giving birth to his son in the car before the couple made it to the hospital. He uses the event as a metaphor for optimism.

"A son's gonna rise in a mile / In a mile / In a mile / You'll be feeling fine," he sings. "In a mile you will see / After me / You'll be out of the dark, yeah."

The album on which Son's Gonna Rise was compiled, The Clarence Greenwood Recordings, received generally favorable reviews, garnering four out of five stars on Amazon.com.  

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Scholarships offered to people who want to spread brain education

Posted on by Phil

Ilchi Lee teaches us that the power of brain education goes a long way, but unfortunately some people may not be able to afford a higher degree due to the costs. Because of this problem, a number of colleges have been working to make education available for everyone by providing financial assistance to those who need it most.

For example, Bryan & Stratton College Online recently announced that it will distribute scholarships to five individuals as part of the full-tuition Pay It Forward program. The idea behind this program is to help those who not only believe in academics, but also want to share what they learn with the world.

School officials have been going through the applications, noting the heartfelt pitches that came with some people's entries.

"The response to the Pay It Forward Scholarship program was amazing and we received so many compelling essays with inspirational stories, detailing the kindness and generosity of the applicants," said Scott Traylor, associate campus director for online education at Bryant & Stratton. "We are thrilled to announce our five recipients who truly live the pay it forward lifestyle and to give them the opportunity to transform their lives with education, as well as the life of someone else."

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UC Davis encourages students interested in brain education to apply for MBA program

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As summer approaches, more people are trying to decide whether or not to continue their brain education in the next semester. Most schools are continuing to accept applications for people who are planning to enroll in a higher degree program, but it is important not to put off the application process until the last minute.

The University of California (UC) Davis recently announced that students who are interested in enrolling in its master's of business administration (MBA) program may want to consider applying before the deadline of June 15 to make sure that their applications are seen by selectors.

Academic officials at UC Davis are looking to recruit students who are motivated and have a strong self discipline that will allow them to excel in their studies.

"If you have been considering an MBA degree, I invite you to act now and apply to UC Davis," said James Stevens, assistant dean of student affairs. "We're looking for innovative, motivated candidates who are ready to be challenged by our internationally renowned faculty and newly launched IMPACT curriculum to grow into globally aware leaders."

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Harry Potter series helps kids, adults expand their brain potential

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The wildly popular book and movie series Harry Potter has been helping children and adults alike to expand their views on what is possible, strengthening both creativity and cognitive function as they wonder about the possibilities that lie beyond King's Cross.

Harry and his companions Ron and Hermione embark on regular adventures at Hogwarts. While their actions are often seen as mischievous and insolent, the young students actually have the best intentions in mind when conducting their investigations.

The tenacity and creativity that the threesome conjures in the name of good is part of what has made the Harry Potter series so popular: it inspires these qualities in kids of today, who often have mindless distractions at their fingertips.

The series has sparked a renewed love of reading in America's youth.

Ilchi Lee says that education, creativity and inspiration are keys to awakening and fulfillment. The Harry Potter series is just one example of the promise that kids today are showing. If they continue to exhibit these qualities, it may mean great things for the future of mankind.  

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