''Words upon words upon words...''

The words that william shakespeare put into the mouth of hamlet are words that have resounded through the centuries and has been translated into many different languages,deeply moving,powerful,and inspiring to people all over the world for hundreds of years. Though some have become outdated or old fashioned when read today they still convey the same philosophy and meaning as they did when they were written.

The gift of language is given to very few,but writers and orator have inspired their fellows all through history,with words that urged them to greater achievements and deeper thoughts.From the earliest philosophers,whose original thinking is the basis of all religious and philosophical thought,we can still find words to inspire and console us today.
The secret of the timelessness of all great writing,is the very careful choice of words,so that they convey with force and conviction the exact ideas that the writer has in mind.
Today,we look at the words of Collin Powell as we settle in into 2014…

 

The less you associate with some people, the more your life will
improve.Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your
mediocrity.An important attribute in successful people is their
impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people.As you
grow, your associates will change.Some of your friends will not want you
to go on.They will want you to stay where they are.Friends that don't
help you climb will want you to crawl.Your friends will stretch your
vision or choke your dream.Those that don't increase you will eventually
decrease you.Consider this:Never receive counsel from unproductive
people.Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of
contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves
are always first to tell you how.Not everyone has a right to speak into
your life.You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you
exchange ideas with the wrong person.Don't follow anyone who's not going
anywhere.With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest
it.Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of
life.Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right
friendships.If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if
you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great
heights."A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is
shown by the kind of friends he chooses." The simple but true fact of
life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate - for
the good and the bad.Note: Be not mistaken.This is applicable to family
as well as friends.Yes...do love, appreciate and be thankful for your
family, for they will always be your family no matter what.Just know
that they are human first and though they are family to you, they may be
a friend to someone else and will fit somewhere in the criteria
above."In Prosperity Our Friends Know Us.In Adversity We Know Our
Friends." "Never make someone a priority when you are only an option for
them." "If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you
develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it
is a prevailing attitude..."Colin Powell