It was still dark when my alarm went off. In those first moments of waking, all I could hear was the patter of rain on the window. That just made my bed all the more warm and cozy. I listened again and the rain gently continued; surely I could stay a little longer.

Then out of my gloom came the first tentative notes of a blackbird's song. Then some more notes, slightly stronger. The blackbird seemed to be testing for response. It was like we might call inquiringly into an empty house - 'hello' (pause) 'hello?' (longer pause) 'Is there anybody there?'

One of the most powerful forces in our lives is encouragement. Encouragement is so important because it is life-altering. Not only for the person who gets it.,but also for the one who gives it.

There are three key ways to embrace encouragement in your own life:

-Giving encouragement to others.

Most of us are content with our lives or often we feel we are "too busy" to really think about our own contentment or happiness. That's for tomorrow or if I get a raise, promotion, the guy, the girl, the right house, paycheck, kids and so on.

We all have examples of people who are less economically fortunate, physical ailments (maybe even major), who have very significant roadblocks in their lives and who are clearly happy people. We admire them and frankly are dumbfounded by them. The fact is that these people understand

Encouragement offers more potential than cash. The amount of cash is limited, but you have an unlimited supply of encouragement ... encouragement feeds people's souls."

Everyone needs encouragement at one time or another, from the CEO, mother, father, child, or employee, to the professional athlete or performer.

Encouragement means to inspire, incite, foster, or stimulate courage with hope.

Let me steal and retell a little story from one of my favourite authors.

Two ducks float peacefully along in their pond; suddenly one crosses too far into the other duck's territory. A fight starts - fast and furious. It lasts for only for a few seconds before just as suddenly they float off in their respective directions. As they do so, they flap their wings furiously, and then they return to their peaceful floating as if the fight never

You Are A SUCCESS!

Many people get frustrated because they feel they are not achieving success. Success means different things to different people. For some it is the acquiring of material things. For others it is climbing the corporate ladder. For many, it is their family life, the rearing of children and successful marriages.

I personally like noted best selling author John Maxwell's description – "Success is a journey".

No matter what you achieve in life, you will always want more. This is why I believe that success can only truly be realized when

Many people refer to me as the "better half" of three-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl Champion Brett Favre. But I am also the mother of two beautiful girls-Brittany and Breleigh-and I'm a daughter, a sister, a breast cancer survivor, and a Christian. If you're reading this, odds are you fall into one of these categories as well.

Whether you or someone you know is a survivor of, was recently diagnosed with, or has lost a loved one to breast cancer, please know- you are not alone. You have joined a powerful sorority that

Everyone needs encouragement at one time or another, Mother, Father, child, or employee, to the professional athlete or performer. Encouragement means to inspire, incite, foster, or stimulate courage with hope.

As many of us can recall, as children, we sometimes needed encouragement to complete a task. What we can not give to ourselves, we borrow from those around us. For us as adults, our early situations may have changed but the human condition of needing support has not. At some level, we all

Your presence is a present to the world. You are unique and one of a kind. Your life can be what you want it to be. Take the days just one at a time. Count your blessings, not your troubles. You will make it through whatever comes along.

Within you are so many answers. Understand, have courage, be strong.

Do not put limits on yourself. So many dreams are waiting to be realized.

In October 1971, I was invited to board a ship which was berthed in Colombo harbor. As soon as we boarded, we were taken around the ship by the duty officer, and it was out of this world. This was only a conventional type a cargo ship, and while viewing the interior layout, my imagination diverted to that of a passenger ship such as, the RMS " Queen Elizabeth II ".

After my visit to the ship I developed a liking towards seafaring vessels and in time that ended up being my ambition.