Ernest Hemingway is considered one of the greatest novelists of the 20^th century.  He wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Sun Also Rises, and The Old Man and the Sea, among other novels.  He was also the 1954 Nobel Prize winner in Literature.  Today’s quote is from Hemingway and speaks to about relationships, leadership, attitude, and perseverance.  So, it is appropriate to see what we can learn from Hemingway today:

“Before you talk, listen

Before you react, think

Before you spend, earn

Before you criticize, wait

Before you pray, forgive

Before you quit, try.”

            – Ernest Hemingway –

Hemingway lists six specific attributes that might define one a successful individual.  Let’s look at each of these:

1. Listen – Do you really care what others are saying?  Or, are you merely preparing your next comments?
2. Think – Many err because the act before they think.  Pausing long enough to reason is an important personal attribute.
3. Earn – We need to earn what we get.  That means having enough patience to work for what we want.
4. Wait – Patience to persevere is often necessary.  Waiting is a skill that few truly master.
5. Forgive – We can’t really have peace unless we are willing to forgive ourselves or others.  Only then are we free to live as we desire.
6. Try – Success frequently comes on the last try.  In fact, it almost always comes on the last try.  So, we must always be willing to try just one more time.

How well do you stack up to these six attributes?  Do you do well at more than one or two?  Was Hemingway speaking to you directly when he penned this?

Today, keep your chin up, your mind focused, and your attitude on making life better for someone else.  If you do, it might just be a “top ten” day.  Enjoy!