Here is your Tuesday STORY on: Where are you going to be in the near future? Wisdom rarely tries to equip you for your future, other than promotes the virtues of planning. However, the one important factor that has so many attributes is to get the period right NOW under control and everything that emanates from it will be good. So it would appear to follow that if you wanted a bright and successful future, all you need to do is to start getting the NOW under control. How you perceive the NOW is the plan for your future. Habit will take you where you’ve always been, break that habit and develop the NOW so your future improves. Today’s story illustrates how we become blinkered in our approach. DO NOT ACT LIKE AN ELEPHANT! In India, elephants are used for manual labour. When an elephant is small and weighs approximately 200 pounds, it is securely tied with a heavy-duty rope. In between "jobs, " the elephant tries to break through its limitation. The calf whines and tugs and even tries to chew through the rope, but it is unable to break free. Finally, the elephant gives up its will. He accepts his circumstances. His spirit is broken. The elephant believes there is absolutely no chance to free himself and overcome his "limitation." This is recognized as a "defining moment." A defining moment is the exact moment one adopts/accepts a new belief that drastically alters their life. They accept this "new belief" as a "truth, " regardless if it is true or not. Because the brain accepts repetition of thought and deduction as "the truth, " the rope reigns sovereign not only in the calf's immediate environment, but in his mind as well. With this "belief" deeply embedded in the elephant's mind, his handler came up with an ingenious idea to permanently disempower him. He realized all that was needed was to tie the four-ton animal up with extremely small ropes and he would remain tied. You see in the elephant's mind, any size rope would keep him "securely confined." Do not act like an elephant. Size up and break through the confining ropes in your mind. When you're faced with change, change your perspective. When you're overwhelmed with something new; change your view. Use affirmations, to eradicate limitations and nothing will be impossible for you! (Fran Briggs) (Fran Briggs is the founder of the F. Briggs Group, Personal Growth Facilitators. She is the author of several books and over 300 articles including, "Set Yourself Up for Success!" Ms. Briggs is a "motivational speaker of the inspirational kind." She speaks to audiences of children and adults of all ages and backgrounds, with the aim of inspiring them to their respective levels of greatness.) QUOTE: "The best way to predict your future is to invent it.” (Alan Kay)