A Response To, “No.”
Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes. – Eleanor Roosevelt Updated February 6, 2025 Based on my time spent selling baby furniture and cosmetics, I’m guessing salespeople hear, “No,” more than folks in any other profession. To handle. No, SalesWingsApp reminds, “Everybody gets rejected in love, in friendship, at school and when applying for jobs.” Inc.com has great tips for handling business rebuffs, including, If you never get rejected, you may be living too far inside your comfort zone. Use rejection as a chance to move forward with more wisdom Mute harsh inner critics with helpful affirmations Read more. SalesWingsApp offers remedies for the embarrassment, sadness, disappointment and discouragement that can come with being turned down, like not taking, ‘No’ personally. Also, relax and accept that rejection is part of the process. See more [especially the quick, energizing video]. In addition to reasons why rejection can be good [we can become more creative], Bridgette Hyacinth offers impressive ways to overcome rejection, including, Have a vision for something that feels special and right Stay motivated Put full steam into the next opportunity. Read more. Kris Jenner, momanager of the Kardashian clan said, “There’s so many times in life that I have taken no for an answer, and have regretted it later.” Her wisdom gained, “My general motto in my life for years has been, ‘if somebody says no, you’re talking to the wrong person.’” Read more. Sounds like Ms. Jenner also took Eleanor Roosevelt’s advice. Inspired by former first lady, I’ve come up with acronyms for NO: Never Over, New Options, Next Opportunity. What are yours? Succeed and Soar! Eleanor’s Insights Collection Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as clothing, totes, coffee mugs, journals, greeting cards, shower curtains, puzzles and more. Shop Here Thanks for your support!
Newer, Richer, The Utmost
The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. – Eleanor Roosevelt Did you know: Milton Hershey was fired as a printer’s apprentice, He then tried to start three candy companies, all failed, before launching the Lancaster Caramel Company and the Hershey Company making chocolate, a treat for the rich, a household name. Lucille Ball’s [I Love Lucy] movies failed yet she became the first woman to run a major television studio. Sir James Dyson produced 5,126 failed prototypes and spent fifteen years as well as his savings before his vacuum cleaner succeeded. J. K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone while a struggling mother on welfare. After twelve rejections, a publisher bought the manuscript for USD equivalent of $4,000. Rowling is now worth $1 billion. Eleanor Roosevelt’s words this week encourage leaps of faith while recognizing that such notions can be frightening. What if the jump leads to a crash and burn? Here are answers from those who’d know: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson “If you set your goals ridiculously high and it’s a failure, you will fail above everyone else’s success.” —James Cameron “What matters is this: Being fearless of failure arms you to break the rules. In doing so, you may change the culture and just possibly, for a moment, change life itself.” —Malcolm Mclaren “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” —Henry Ford More words of wisdom. See also the March, 2020 post about FEAR [Face Everything And Rise], especially Will Smith’s fun and encouraging video. Succeed and Soar! Celebrate! 7/18 Sunday: Nelson Mandela World Day 7/18 Sunday: World Listening Day 7/19 Monday: FREE Ice Cream. Here’s how to get yours. 7/20 Tuesday: National Lollipop Day [Still treasuring my last, couple Candy Cane Tootsie Roll pops from Christmas!] 7/21 Wednesday: National Hotdog Day Here are great, vegan [carrot] hotdog recipes. 7/23 Friday: National Gorgeous Grandma Day [I better start glamorizing!] Image Source Eleanor’s Insights Collection Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ This post’s featured image was taken in a shallow ‘cave’ behind a waterfall while camping with my daughters and grandson. The image seems an ideal match for this post. Sometimes the barrier to our brightest possibilities is not a wall. It’s fresh, cleansing water. Art is available as prints on assorted, high-quality papers, framed and on canvas with various borders and widths. Shop Here
Uniquely You, The One and Only
Remember that you have not only the right to be an individual; you have an obligation. Eleanor Roosevelt Updated February 6, 2025 Mark Twain said, “The two most important days in life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” Oprah Winfrey believes, “Each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint.” Edwin Elliot added, “By being yourself, you put something wonderful in the world that was not there before” and, like your fingerprints, can never exist again. As each year ends and a new one begins, Dr. Maulena Karenga suggests answering these questions: Who am I? Am I really who I am? Am I all I ought to be? The Chopra Center listed ways to identify unique gifts, which includes noting, Childhood activities that were most exciting Adult passions that are enjoyed Important interests like health, spirituality, relationships, family, health, career, fun, etc. Ask five close acquaintances to identify gifts they see as special. Read more The Chopra Center article ends, At the end of the day, who you are, what you do, and how you show up in the world is special and unique. … Whoever you are and whatever you do, the world needs you. When you think big, show up bold and share your uniqueness, you become a role model for all of us. And remember Oscar Wilde’s advice: Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. Succeed and Soar! Eleanor’s Insights Collection Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as clothing, totes, coffee mugs, bedding, pillows, journals, greeting cards, shower curtains, puzzles and more. Shop Here Thanks for your support!
Your Independence Day
“… without equality there can be no democracy.” Eleanor Roosevelt Two hundred forty-five years ago, on July 4, 1776, thirteen of Great Britain’s North American colonies declared their independence from a ruling monarch because they believed, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Independence means freedom from being ruled by other people or things. Imagine a world where each individual can celebrate personal and national independence days. Wikihow describes some great steps, including: Becoming your own hero Accepting life may not be fair Saving money Planning your day around you and more. This post’s quote is from Mrs. Roosevelt’s October 12, 1944 “My Day” essay where she wrote, Long ago, there was a noble word, liberal, which derives from the word free. Now a strange thing happened to that word. A man named Hitler made it a term of abuse, a matter of suspicion, because those who were not with him were against him, and liberals had no use for Hitler. And then another man named McCarthy cast the same opprobrium on the word. … We must cherish and honor the word free or it will cease to apply to us. Interestingly, “equality” blends the words ‘equal’ and ‘quality,’ suggesting that individuals and nations will be enriched where all are equals. Onward and upward everyone, and, Happy Independence Day! Enjoy Lots of Goodies Next Week Did you know that July 3rd [today] is Compliment Your Mirror Day? Here are ways to honor this special time. June 22 was the United State’s Kissing Day. In case you missed it [or want to celebrate worldwide], July 6th is International Kissing Day, which has great health benefits. Read more. Although all of July is Ice Cream Month. July 7 is dedicated to Strawberry Sundaes. Here are fabulous recipes. Image Source Eleanor’s Insights Collection Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with my photographs of ‘wild places.’ This week’s Featured Art reminds me of a song that compared freedom to how wild grass grows and wind blows. I love the glittering green of these grasses and their dances as they sway with the wind. Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
The Future Belongs to You
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt Of our finest fantasies, Rev. Jesse Jackson said, “Dream big dreams! Others may deprive you of your material wealth and cheat you in a thousand ways, but no man can deprive you of the control and use of your imagination. Men may deal with you unfairly, as men often do; they may deprive you of your liberty; but they cannot take from you the privilege of using your imagination. In your imagination you always win!” Anthony Herrera said, “The best helper is a dream of what your life will be.” Rand Bennett added, “Make time for the things you love, the things you are passionate about, the things that you dream of.” ThriveYard describes a big dream as, “a bold vision of the future, a vision that both scares and excites you at the same time. It brings out your passion, imagination, creativity and a willingness to take and embrace risk.” Here’s David Khalil’s big, beautiful dream, “My goal in life became about accumulating wealth for myself in order to give it away. I had to increase my talents and capacity to achieve greater dreams and goals.” Here are 33 Ways to Help Beautiful Dreams Come True. which include writing your personal ‘I have a dream’ statement. What is your big, beautiful dream? After finishing Succeed and Soar’s Albert Einstein wisdoms series, I wanted a woman’s wise words. I’ve always been inspired by this post’s featured quote and love closing with more encouragement from Eleanor Roosevelt, the first lady who saw the United States through World War II, diplomat and human rights activist, The future is literally in our hands to mold as we like. But we cannot wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow is now. Onward & Upward! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. Celebrate! June 27: National Bingo Day Bingo began in Italy in 1530 as a lottery. This fun way to make friends and, maybe, some money finally reached the United States 400 years. Enjoy a game or two. History of bingo. Also, June 27: National Sunglasses Day While this event exists to remind about protecting our eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, National Sunglasses Day is also a chance to look really cool while staying safe. July 1st: International Joke Day Jokes are written or spoken words that make people smile or laugh. To be armed and dangerous with jokes, here are over 100, which include: What do you call a pig that does karate? A pork chop. July 2nd: World UFO Day exists to explore the possibilities that extra-terrestrial life may be visiting earth. While the History Channel’s Ancient Aliens Series provides lots of a persuasive info, a Pentagon Task Force has just issued a report on what it calls UAPs, Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon So, July 2nd looks like a great time to watch and discuss the original, 1950s movie The Day The Earth Stood Still or Independence Day, Close Encounters of The Third Kind or War of The Worlds. Eleanor’s Insights Collection Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with my photographs of ‘wild places,’ with no signs of people, except this debut image. Can you see me? This week’s photograph was taken while exploring Utah’s amazing Canyonlands. As I looked for images to accompany Eleanor Roosevelt’s words, this picture with desert and barren mountains meeting vast sky was ideal, even though –oops! — the sun slipped the shadow of my hands holding the camera into the lower right. Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Einstein 22: Your Awesome, Big Picture
A human being is part of a whole called by us the universe. – Albert Einstein Savor the following marvels about who you are and your glorious possibilities: “We are stardust brought to life, then empowered by the universe to figure itself out.” Neil deGrasse Tyson Read More. “When we look out into space we are looking into our own origins because we are truly children of the stars.” Source Unknown Read more. “The world would have you agree with its dismal dream of limitation. But the light would have you soar like the eagle of your sacred visions.” – Alan Cohen More “A person is neither a thing nor a process but an opening through which the Absolute can manifest.” – Martin Heidegger More With these awesome thoughts, Succeed & Soar’s Einstein Inspirations series ends [and can be revisited here.]. Hope you’ve enjoyed. For the past month, I’ve considered taking a posting break. Aah! But there are so many wonderful wisdoms and images to share. So, this summer Succeed and Soar will deliver quick delights chosen to lift hearts and spirits, awareness and humanity. Blessings & best wishes, Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire Shop “Gorgeous Green,” this week’s Featured Art. This Post’s Featured Video A Super Special Weekend Saturday, June 19: Juneteenth We also don’t want people to think it’s a Black thing, or a Texas thing because it’s not. None of us are free until we’re all free. And we aren’t free yet. – Opal Lee, Grandmother of Juneteenth Read more. The holiday’s name encompasses the week required for word to cross Texas that the United States had ended Chattel Slavery and for celebrations with music, games, parades and red soft drinks to begin. Check out: How to Celebrate Juneteenth Earliest Juneteenth Celebrations Pittsburgh Juneteenth Observances 50 Companies observing Juneteenth and investing in social equality Sunday, June 20 Father’s Day Sometimes, we need to father ourselves as well. Here are precious ways. Summer Solstice When Earth’s north pole is tilted farthest from the sun [at 11:32 pm EDT], the northern hemisphere enjoys its longest day [remember to enjoy strawberries]. ******* Sandra’s Greeting Cards Keep in touch with family and friends beautifully! My greeting cards will send smiles across the miles. Say thank you, share something funny, send birthday wishes and let folks know you’re thinking of them. My greeting cards, Measure 5” x 7” large enough to frame Made of chlorine- and acid-free, archival-quality 120 lb. premium cardstock Available in matte or glossy finish Professionally printed Sold in set of 10 or 20 with white envelopes Produced in compliance with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Made in USA Twelve images from my galleries are currently offered [selections change]. Support Succeed and Soar. Shop today. Join Succeed & Soar Mail List
Einstein Wisdom 21: Coincidences
Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous. – Albert Einstein Coincidences are events and circumstances, accidents, serendipity and twists of fate that connect in remarkable ways. The most common are: Thinking of calling someone and they unexpectedly call Knowing who’s calling without checking the phone screen or hearing a personalized ring tone Thinking of an idea then hearing or seeing it on the radio, television or internet Read more Carl Jung called meaningful coincidences ‘synchronicity.’ They’re related events that have no natural connection. Have you experienced a coincidence that linked you to someone for whom you care deeply though thousands of miles apart? Have you walked or driven somewhere you needed to be without understanding why, like turning right instead of left for no reason and avoiding an accident? What if these experiences are as Einstein suggests? What a magical world. What amazing lives life makes possible. Here’s how to use and create more coincidences. By the way, next week offers lots of tasty observances: Monday June 14 if National Strawberry Shortcake Day Wednesday is National Fudge Day. Thursday, the 17th is time to celebrate Apple Strudels and Cherry Tarts. Enjoy! Shop “Sunflower,” this week’s Featured Art . Featured Video ***** Because I’ve long been concerned about the quality of existence, I’ve noticed how people protect life after human hearts start beating, which can last decades. As many debate Pro Life-Pro Choice issues, remember abort means to terminate prematurely, to interfere with development and/or to stop before completion. As we seek ways to succeed and soar, shouldn’t our goal be to protect humans from abortion at all stages, whatever the age, whenever-wherever people’s hearts are beating? Image Source: PNGTree
Einstein 20: Awesome Quiet
The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind. – Albert Einstein This Tuesday, June 8 is Best Friends Day . On “Bestie” Day, why not make a three-hour, exclusive date with your BFF [Best Friend Forever]: You! The special date with yourself could include walks, a lovely meal, stroll through a museum and contemplating beautiful, natural settings as in this week’s awesome Featured Video [try to view on a desktop screen]. A precious part of these three hours is that you can shed expectations and agendas. Research has shown that those who allow themselves quiet time are better able to problem solve, get along with others and are freer from depression. Read more. Best Friends Day was started to show the most important people and pets in our lives just how much we adore them, and to memorialize those beloved best friends that are no longer by our sides. To honor that day, here are 10 inspiring ways to be a better friend. This Post’s Special Video **** Because I’m so concerned about conditions in this country, this Food for Thought is offered. Once upon a time, some believed that if the wealthiest paid fewer taxes, the money they kept would flow in ways that helped everyone. Human nature being what it is, the past thirty years have shown that Trickle Down economics has been a money boomerang. The wealthiest have used the income they kept to make themselves richer [see chart below]. Read more. In 1944, those with stratospheric earnings paid 94% of their income in federal taxes. Imagine the condition of this country’s dilapidated schools, roads, health care, educational resources and other troubling conditions if those making millions and billions a year were taxed as they were during the 1940s and 1950s. Remember, taxes are how local, state and the federal government provide services and protect citizens. Consider: Perhaps the concern with taxes should not be the amount but ROI [Return on Investment], how taxes are spent to keep citizens safe, well educated, healthy, pay government salaries and expenses, and improve everyone’s Quality of Life. Graphics reprinted with permission from EconomicsHelp.org. Blessings & best wishes, Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire
Einstein 19: Mystery & Beauty
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. – Albert Einstein Memorial Day began in the 1860s as a time to decorate soldiers’ graves. This weekend, while enjoying summer’s first barbecue, the sales and permission to start wearing white clothes, remember that ‘holiday’ originally meant holy-day, a sacred and consecrated time. Wakeup World suggests that we need time and space to “to experience a depth, richness, and sense of meaning that usually escapes us in fast-paced everyday life.” Read more. Everything Soulful lists four ways to create sacred space, including clearing clutter and adding aromatic oils. Read more. Most important, holidays can involve slowing the busy-ness long enough to simply be, to allow time to gaze at the stars, flowers, a lake, birds in flight,, flags in a cemetery and ask, “Why?” Blessings & best wishes. Shop This Week’s Featured Art Featured Video The Black Folk Who Started Memorial Day Several dozen organizations claim to have started Memorial Day, by laying flowers on the graves soldiers who died during the Civil War. Women in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania began decorating graves in 1864, In 1866, the women of Columbus, Mississippi decorated the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers, understanding that all the men had families where they were sons, fathers and brothers. But May 1, 1865 can stand as “The First Decoration [Memorial] Day.” To honor 257 Union soldiers who died fighting to end enslavement, Black people of Charleston, SC dug bodies from a mass grave and labored for two weeks to provide decent burials, commemorated with a parade of 10,000, led by 2,800 Black children. Read more. Also Read You must acknowledge problems to fix them. – Dr. Phil Three documentaries about the 1921 Tulsa tragedy present a problem this country must fix to become truly great and stand as a shining example before the world. HISTORY CHANNEL “Tulsa Burning,” broadcast Sunday May 30, 8 E/7C. Preview PBS-HDTV, “Tulsa, The Fire and The Forgotten,” broadcast Monday, May 31, 9pm ET Preview NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL, “Rise Again, Tulsa and The Red Summer,” broadcast June 18, 9pm Eastern Time Preview
Einstein 18: You, The Great Teacher
It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. – Albert Einstein The one time I met Great Aunt Hattie [she married my grandfather’s brother Jesse], that big woman with her sunshine brightness taught me about generous spirits. When my dad refused her money and wouldn’t buy my sister and I small fruit pies, she scoffed affectionately and told him to go on down to the corner store and get her little grand nieces those treats. Yeah!! My mother’s older sister Irene loved to throw Saturday night Pokeno parties with rich treats she shared from homes where she worked in wealthier neighborhoods. Hospitality!! Funny, the things children remember. I’m so glad to have been educated by ladies who awakened joy in special kinds of creative expression and knowledge of big-hearted spirits. After all, we’re all teachers, all the time. Shop “Raindrops,” this week’s Featured Art Featured Video ***** Sunday, May 23rd is World Turtle Day, a special time to protect turtles, tortoises and their homes. Did you know that while all tortoises are turtles, not all turtles are tortoises. Although both animals are encased in bony shells and lay eggs, a few big differences include: Tortoises cannot swim. Their heavy, dome-shaped shells would sink them. Turtles are water animals with lighter, more aerodynamic shells. Tortoises have stubby, elephant-like legs. Turtle legs are webbed and can even be flippers, all designed for swimming. Surprising facts about turtles