Self-Motivation

"Self motivation is that impulse to soar. It is the little kernel of hope inside each one of us that allows us to set goals - that moves us to reach higher. It is the reason a person goes on, even when they want to quit. It is the belief that something can be done, even when the odds are against it. When a person is motivated, nobody can take away their power to move forward, and when that motivation comes from inside a person's heart they become unbeatable."
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar" - Helen Keller

365 ways to raise great kids - Introduction

Parents spend their lives growing their children, guiding decisions, giving ideas, working through problems and modeling behaviors, hoping that someday their child would have gained the skills necessary to shine brightly out in the world on their own. We walk hand in hand down life's path teaching what we know, passing on what we believe, and communicating life's challenges until our children are ready to walk alone. Our love guides and encourages our children to find their most creative spirit, a spirit that it believes it can soar.

Everything you do, everything you think, everything you believe and every action you take has an effect on how child grows. It is not possible for a child to be better than the example you are setting. So as parents we have the most wonderful job on earth, that of shaping another human being simply by living each day. It is not about doing everything right, or knowing every listening skill, or using the right form of discipline, or having all the knowledge - it is about wanting to. Just having the desire and making the effort to do the best you can is enough for your child to grow. Your child will feel your attitude. They will know that the person they become matters to you.

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The day a child enters our lives, our feet are placed upon the path that leads us on an enormous journey - one where there is no stopping, no turning back, and no bailing out. This journey lasts a lifetime. Every day we take a step forward in some direction.
Along the journey, when you least expect it, you will have moments when your heart beats with joy as you realize your child "got it". You will feel invincible in these moments, like all your dedication, love, and understanding meant something immeasurably valuable. And you'll be right.