Great people in our society and around the world don't get to the top of their respective fields, because they're lazy or have no ambition!  They get to the top of their fields, because of hard work, and because of the following words, which I think are some of the most important words in the world...discipline; dedication; sacrifice; commitment; determination; honesty, etc. 

Correct me if I'm wrong...but none of these words are available over-the-counter.  Your doctor cannot prescribe any of them.  Everyone has these qualities in their souls...but they have to dig down deep...find them and use them, etc.

Excuse-makers are negative people, in my view.  They always talk about what they can't do...instead of what they CAN do.  If it isn't one excuse...it's another!  What they do best, is to get jealous and resentful of other people's accomplishments, etc.  They usually can't accomplish much of anything with their own lives.

discipline: (definition); to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control;

"Without discipline, there is no life at all."  Katherine Hepburn

 Smoking:  I quit smoking in 1970, and in the year 2008, I have not touched a cigarette since that time.  It takes discipline to quit smoking!  I've heard my share of excuse-making in this area of quitting smoking, etc.  

There was a knock on the door one day, and it was a neighbor down the hall where I live.  He was desperate, and the tone of his voice and appearance showed it!  "Jerry, you quit smoking, right?"  I told him yes, and he wanted me to help him quit smoking, and if he didn't quit, he was going to lose a leg! 

At the time, I didn't know if this guy had diabetes or not, because we were just acquaintances, and I told him all that I could about quitting smoking, etc.  After that night, I hadn't seen him in about two months...and when I did see him...he was on crutches and one of his legs was missing! 

I think one of the toughest words in the dictionary is to say NO!  The ability to say NO to a neighbor who borrows things and doesn't return them; to people who are going to get you in trouble; and one of the toughest, is to say NO to a child who wants everything in life!  To do all these...takes discipline!

sacrifice: (definition) surrender or give up for the sake of something else;

Lose weight:  I lost 40 pounds in 2001, and I have not gained it back.  And, that's probably because I took my time, and exercised patience, because it took me almost a year to accomplish my goal.  If there's anything that takes sacrifice...it's losing weight.  You're going to have to stop paying your little visits to the refrigerator in the middle of the night, along with all the other little bad habits acquired over the years.  I've heard my share of excuse-making in this area of losing weight over the years!

"Bad excuses are worse than none!"  Thomas Fuller

Pre-diabetes:  In 2008, I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, but it was no suprise, because I have been battling high blood sugar for about five years now.  To win this battle, it's going to take sacrifice, life-style changes and diet.  I have a sweet-tooth like my mother, and this won't be easy, but the first to go, have been about 90% of the sweets in my life!  (boo-hoo!)  Other foods that make sugar in the blood are being looked at and will be gone, etc.  It's a sacrifice I have to make if I want to stay well and out of trouble! 

One of my aunts died from diabetes...but before she died...one of her legs was amputated and she went blind!  Remember, that fellow who knocked on the door, and eventually lost a leg? 

commitment: (definition); a pledge, promise or obligation;

determination: (definition); the quality of being resolute; firmness of purpose;

Exercise: In 1986, I was suffering from lots of headaches and from high-blood pressure, and so I thought exercise would help me.  So, I started jogging 15 miles a week, which in 2008, translates to over 17,000 miles during that time.  This is another task that requires discipline, but more than that, it requires commitment, too.  I made a promise to myself at that time, and I was determined to do this, because it was good for my health!  I will keep on doing it, as long as I am able to do so!

I think two of the most evil words in the dictionary can be; temptation and peer-pressure.  For it will be peer-pressure, that can influence you into making the wrong decisions in your life, etc.  Peer-pressure is not just for teen-agers.  Peer-pressure will follow us all to the grave, by those why want us to go in a different direction with our lives!  Here's where discipline comes in...just say NO!  Making new friends is simple and easy.  Advice; Make new friends before you make mistakes you'll regret! 

Sorry...but there's NO free lunch...

Honesty: (definition); simply stating the facts and views as best one truly believes them to be;

In the year 2008, there are so many people who are in denial about one issue or another in their lives, etc.  They lie to themselves about various issues that affect them.  If you can't be honest with yourself...who can you be honest with?  In my view, these people lead the way...and many are the excuse-makers of our time!

"People with integrity do what they say they are going to do.  Others have excuses!"  Dr. Laura Schlessanger

BTW...I have zero-tolerance for lazy people; thieves; liars; people of self-pity; the un-ambitious; and of course...excuse-makers who bring their jealousy and resentment with them.

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In the housing mess across the country, there will be many excuse-makers produced...it's all somebody else's fault...could be the cry! 

Many people in the Congress don't want to bail these people out, because they made a mistake in judgement!  There are many people who can't afford a $200,000 house, but signed on the dotted line anyway!  The finger-pointing will be on-going!  With easy or questionable credit; no down payment...sounds like a classic case of  temptation to me, doesn't it?

"Blaming others is excusing yourself!"  Robin Sharma

 In the health arena...nobody has cornered the market on pain and suffering!  Pain and suffering does not discriminate...it treats everyone the same...like HELL!  In your healthcare, you can pop all the pills you want...you can have the best doctors and technologies in the world...but you're still going to need one or more of the following qualities to get well.  (discipline; sacrifice; determination; commitment; honesty;

"He who is good for excuses...is seldom good for anything else!"  Benjamin Franklin

In healthcare or anything else...you MUST be able to help yourself...nobody's going to do it for you! 

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