Inspiration
What is success?
Diana Jordan
If you can recognize what it is that makes you unique… what makes you different… and, then stay with that until it flowers into something you can give back to the world… Then you’re successful.
Faith when times are tough
Melody Beattie
Think: what I’m going through right now is happening for a reason, and so it’s really important that I let go of all my fear as much as possible and make the best choices I can today.
When you feel someone has treated you wrongly
Melody Beattie on Karma
I don’t think karma or the Golden Rule is like a gumball machine where we put in our twenty-five cents and we get a good thing back. It’s more complicated than that and more challenging. I think what we’re all being called to do is to question our own value system — Am I willing to step up to the plate and be the best person I can even though a lot of really ugly stuff is going to happen? Am I going to trust that there’s a larger gumball machine taking place, that when I really, really need some help, some guidance, some love, some support, something good, I’m going to be able to get it back, even though I’m not getting it back from this person I’ve been good to.
So… How are you doing so far?
James Lee Burke on Wisdom
Never keep score. The score takes care of itself. Bear down on the batter one pitch at a time… and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the arithmetic on the scoreboard at the bottom of the ninth.
Mentors
Diana Page Jordan with TV star Soupy Sales
Q: What do you think your legacy is, Soupy Sales…other than throwing pies? There’s a sense of inspiration to your life. You knew what you wanted to be, and you just followed through…that’s a good lesson for people to figure out who they are inside and just go for it?
A: Yes, because a lot of times it doesn’t happen right away, and then they get discouraged. I never was discouraged. I always felt you keep on that track and you keep on that track, and never lose your enthusiasm and play it cool, and the world is yours.
Q: That’s a great legacy! A: I think so; I figure that if I can make it, then anybody can.
What is your deepest desire?
Diana Page Jordan with Chuck Palahniuk
Q: What is intention?
A: The culture of intention is so common between so many different religions… A prayer is an intention; a spell is an intention; a mission statement is an intention. I believe in intention.
Q: How do you use that in your life?
A: I go out on a limb and I say really ridiculous goals. Years ago, I told my agent I would be on the NY Times bestseller list someday, and at the time FIGHT CLUB wasn’t even selling out its first printing. It was ridiculous to say that, but last year I ended up on the Times list. You have to set these really ridiculous goals and feel like an idiot…to achieve them…. In one way, by saying it out loud in this very public way does give it the impetus. And, on another level, it provides a rallying cry so people can bring you what you need to achieve that goal and they can support you in that goal once they know what your goal is. And, on a third level, it is a very public gun to your head. You are really risking humiliation or loss of status by not achieving the thing you’ve said you will do.
