Ken Poirot's Blog, page 5

April 11, 2015

George Washington, the average person, and "epic battles never told"...

So what do George Washington, the average person, and "epic battles never told" have in common?

...my thoughts as I penned this quote:

"Be Courageous: Succeed or Fail Monumentally!"

The photo quote can be found here:

http://www.goodreads.com/photo/author...

I purposely hunted for the iconic painting I had in mind: a public domain photo of George Washington crossing the Delaware River in order to depict this photo quote.

As many of you know, one of my interests is history, learning more about the history of the places to which I travel, as well as American history.

I grew up on Long Island, in a small village called Northport. As with many small villages and places on Long Island, there are signs (blue markers in this case) designating historical incidents in connection with The Revolutionary War.

I will never forget one of these signs in Northport; inscribed upon it is the story of a man who died defending his cow from seizure by the British (an historical marker placed to commemorate the approximate location) during The Revolutionary War. Just an average person...not the name of someone famous or recognizable from history.

Many times I have watched the well-produced series airing on "The History Channel" called, "The Revolution." I find it fascinating to learn about all the trials and tribulations of those times...all the events that played out behind the scenes. The drama present day Americans normally do not think about.

I am especially fascinated by the situations and circumstances surrounding George Washington during this time.

Many of you may be familiar with this series, "The Revolution," but for those of you who are not, it tells history by analyzing concurrent events from different points of view to help the viewer better understand the backdrop of the events described.

Scholars analyze and peel back the layers to uncover what was really happening at the time. Different opinions, perspectives, and the original thoughts in the minds of George Washington and his contemporaries are told by reading their actual letters written in response to specific events.

"The Revolution" reveals all the generals under George Washington who openly criticized him (in their own handwritten letters), his betrayal by Benedict Arnold (who many scholars believe would have been worthy of his own monument had he not become a traitor siding with the British), the lost battles, the under funding of George Washington's troops, the lack of even basic supplies, like food.

The series conveys the desperation and despondency George Washington must have felt at times, trying to fight the world's superpower, the British, on a shoe string budget, which sometimes meant troops literally without shoes or boots.

One of the most famous examples of this took place at Valley Forge. It is recorded, the lack of even the most basic resources for American soldiers during the Continental Army's brutal winter encampment there, forced some soldiers to boil their own shoes (the soldiers who actually had shoes) in order to eat them for sustenance.

The events leading up to that brutal winter at Valley Forge added to the sense of hopelessness most Americans must have been feeling at the time. It came on the heels of substantial, demoralizing defeats for the Continental Army, culminating in the loss of New York City to the British.

So what did George Washington do at Valley Forge?

He led his troops across the Delaware River, with some soldiers (who did not have shoes) wrapping their feet in rags, while leaving trails of blood in the snow from their poorly protected, frozen feet.

This malnourished, starving, battered, and disheveled American army surprised the British Hessian soldiers (German troops hired by the British) at Trenton on the other side of the Delaware River. This surprise attack orchestrated by George Washington gave the American colonists a much-needed, overwhelming victory, lifting their spirits.

Some scholars point to this victory at the Battle of Trenton as the single-most important psychological triumph in The Revolutionary War. This inspiring, courageous assault eventually led to America's supremacy in its fight for independence from England.

George Washington never gave up and continued to push on regardless of his circumstances.

Through all the obstacles, road blocks, uncertainty, back stabbing, betrayal, lack of resources, and with poorly trained, ragged average citizens as troops...George Washington still managed to prevail.

Many scholars have stated at times the Continental Congress even debated over the firing of George Washington as the commanding general of the Continental Army during this time.

After all this drama and with all the difficulties...George Washington led America to independence against arguably the greatest superpower in the world at that moment in history.

It is said George Washington invested so much personally in The Revolutionary War...of his own time, life (he was willing to die for the cause), and finances, that he even had to borrow money just to travel to his own inauguration as the first President of the United States.

George Washington was decimated financially by the war due to his complete commitment to the American cause.

Yes, there are monuments to George Washington and many of our Founding Fathers; they were victorious in the end against what many thought to be insurmountable odds.

...but what about the average person? What about the person who gives their all, gives everything for their dream(s), goal(s), or achievement(s)...and who does not win in the end?

Where are the monuments to these people...the ones whose stories we will never hear? What about their strife, or as I like to call it, their "epic battles never told."

As we know, life itself is a struggle. Every day can be an "epic battle never told" for the average person.

What is important is that no matter what happens in your life, no matter what obstacles you have to overcome to pursue your dreams...never, never, never give up!

Put it all on the line and risk it all for your beliefs and for your dreams. The small fraction who achieve astronomical success in life against all odds have monuments erected in their honor. Yet, those who strive, toil, struggle, and fail, fight "epic battles never told," never commemorated, or even whispered.

That average person, the farmer in Northport who died protecting his cow from the British, just happened to be memorialized by an historical marker. How many other average people died giving their lives for freedom during The Revolutionary War, whose stories, and "epic battles" we will never know?

What about your story? What about your "epic battles?"

It is better to give everything of yourself for your dreams, even if you fail in the end, versus not giving your all.

Live monumentally!

For if you toil, strive, and still fail in the end...it is better than not having the courage to give all of yourself completely, to lay all of yourself and your being on the line in order to achieve your dreams.

It is better to never have to ask, "What if?" about your life.

"What if" I had given it my all? What would have happened? How would it have changed my life if I had only had the courage to give all of myself completely to achieving my dreams or my goals? "What if" I had the courage to get up after being knocked down just one more time?

Courage is not lack of fear (a fear that paralyzes most people into lack of action); true courage is being afraid and taking action anyway.

Have the courage to never have to ask "What if?" about your life.

Live monumentally!

Give of yourself completely for your dreams. Invest all of yourself for what you want and what is most important to you.

Like George Washington, don't make excuses, hold back, or let any obstacle(s) defeat you!

Can you imagine if George Washington had just admitted the Continental Army could not win against the British due to the lack of funding, lack of resources, lack of supplies, back stabbing and betrayal by his generals, defeats in battle, and seemingly insurmountable odds against his better-trained and equipped British superpower opponent?

Never give up or surrender...no matter what the odds against you!

If you fail...fail monumentally by giving your dreams everything you have. If you get knocked down...get up again and fail on your feet.

It is better to be the "epic battle never told," to be the person who everyone can say never gave up or lost sight of their ultimate vision. Much better than just giving in or surrendering to defeat: being too afraid to fight an "epic battle" in the first place.

Never have to ask "What if?" about your life!

Engage your "epic battle." Confront the road blocks on your way to victory head-on. Have the courage to give of yourself completely to all that you do and set out to achieve.

When you succeed they may build monuments in your honor. At least live the "epic battle never told" and have the courage to never, ever give up or have to ask "What if?"

So I ask you...what are your obstacles? What are your insurmountable odds in the way of your success and your dreams?

When you feel defeated on the way to achieving your goals or dreams, think of that iconic image of George Washington crossing the Delaware River.

Yes, you may fail and you may be an "epic battle never told," or you may have monuments erected in your honor for your success in the face of insurmountable odds like George Washington.

Never, ever, ever give up! Never stay down after being knocked down in pursuit of your goals or dreams! Never surrender and never succumb to defeat!

Give it your all...give of yourself completely to the pursuit and achievement of your dreams! Never have to ask "What if? about your life!

"Be Courageous: Succeed or Fail Monumentally!"

http://www.goodreads.com/photo/author...


Warmly,
Ken

Ken Poirot
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April 7, 2015

More Pondering...Love...Easter...

"In truth we have loved; yet how many of our loves have been true?"

I wrote this last night as I pondered more about the true meaning of love...

...a bit of a play on words, but also with much greater meaning.

I purposely chose a depiction of Mary Magdalene for this photo quote as many of us celebrated Easter and Jesus' resurrection last Sunday, while our Orthodox friends will celebrate Easter this coming Sunday.

As Easter was in my thoughts, I pondered about this timely message...

I thought specifically about the relationship between Mary Magdalene and Jesus.

I believe this relationship teaches us of the everlasting, spiritual, and transcendental nature of true love.

The lesson: true unconditional love lives eternally, long after our terrestrial bodies have ceased to exist, it continues on in spirit, and transcends space and time.

After all, here we are thousands of years later still talking, thinking, reading, writing, and theorizing about their love.

Here is the quote along with the depiction of Mary Magdalene:

https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...

So how many of your loves have been true?

I hope you all had a Happy Easter and Happy Easter to my Orthodox friends this coming Sunday!

Ken Poirot

Warmly,
Ken
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That Disappointing Moment...

I was up late tonight thinking about life and specifically about love...

Anyone who has had the courage to give of yourself completely and unconditionally to someone else knows exactly what I meant when I wrote this tonight:

“Love is to give, commit, and trust completely; the courage to be vulnerable without the omniscience of another's virtue.”

That disappointing moment when you realize the person you love or loved was never truly worthy of your love (and may never understand the true meaning of love).

...to give and not to take, use, or see what you can get from someone else.

To be selfless versus being completely selfish.

I turned it into a photo quote and posted it here on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...

Ken Poirot

...just some thoughts I had late tonight.

My wish and hope for all of you: may the one you love know, understand, and show you the true meaning of love.

Warmly,
Ken
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April 4, 2015

Strange Feeling...

It is a strange feeling to see quotes from your book and your name popping up all over the internet and the world in places you would never expect.

Today, I posted screenshots from some of the places I have found "Mentor Me" quotes randomly on the internet.

...from such diverse places as The Netherlands, the UK, blogs, and corporate websites.

You can see those photos here (first one and you can scroll through the other ones):

https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...

I have no connection with any of these companies or individuals who have posted these quotes, so it is a very strange feeling indeed to see your name listed and your quotes in such random places.

By far, the most used quote is, "The more I learn about myself, the more I understand you."

Due to the interest in quotations taken out of the context of the book, "Mentor Me," I decided to publish a short ebook packaging the graphics for some of my more popular (as per people's interaction on Google Plus, Facebook, and Pinterest) quotes.

The book is in pre-order now on Amazon here, and set for publication on July 3rd:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VMMTDAS

I also made some of the quotes (the photo quotations with the highest resolution and quality that could be used) into t-shirts. This way, if people really like the quote that much, they can own it on a t-shirt.

You can see the photo quotations that made it to t-shirts here:

http://kenpoirottshirtsandmore.spread...

Thank you all for your support! I appreciate you!

Warmly,
Ken

Mentor Me: GA=T+E—A Formula to Fulfill Your Greatest Achievement

Ken Poirot
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April 3, 2015

New Book...World Quotes, Quotations and Photos from Mentor Me...

Since quotes from "Mentor Me" have been showing up around the world...

I decided to compile the photo quotations people liked best from "Mentor Me" into a book format.

Now Available Pre-Sale for just $1.99 cents...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VMMTDAS


Mentor Me: GA=T+E—A Formula to Fulfill Your Greatest Achievement

Ken Poirot
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March 25, 2015

"Mentor Me" Review...

"Mentor Me" Review:

"For anyone who follows my reviews, my obsession with self-help books is not really a secret, but I'll share it again here: I have this thing about personal growth and read a lot of self help books. Now, I know what you're thinking - so many of them are all the same. That's true, but there are a lot of them that are different, or at the very least share things in a different way.

I think this book falls under the latter. I found this book to be very motivational - not only does it tell you what you can do to transform your life and the steps you need to take, but it gives you activities to do, encourages you to do them, and each activity empowers you. I actually felt like Ken was standing there, tapping his foot with his arms crossed over his chest, waiting for me to do what he told me to do. And I'm thankful for that. Sometimes you need a gentle push, other times you need a shove ... and he's there when both are needed.

I read the book through in it's entirety, highlighting some interesting things along the way, then came back and did half of the activities so far and I have to say - I feel better for it. This is a self help book that I suggest others read.


'I have found we can learn something from just about anyone, if
we approach others with an open mind, take the time to get to
know them, seek out, and listen to what they can teach us.'"

http://the-gal-in-the-blue-mask.blogs...

Mentor Me: GA=T+E—A Formula to Fulfill Your Greatest Achievement

Ken Poirot
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March 15, 2015

"Mentor Me" Guest Post..."Deceptively Simple Self-Help and Business Book"...

Guest Blog Excerpt for "Mentor Me"...

"The biggest surprises for me: 1) everyone seems to take something different from their experience with 'Mentor Me' and mostly based solely on their own personal biases 2) Only one reader so far has alluded to a more complex theme written into 'Mentor Me.'
This is a deceptively simple self-help and business book. One can read it on a superficial level and gain the benefit from the simple self-help and business information in the book. Or, one can read it looking for other more complex themes in this deceptively simple self-help and business book.

As I recently described “Mentor Me,” it is a bit of a 'literary chameleon' depending on how deeply it is dissected by the reader. I recently described it as '…the crossroads and convergence of where science, metaphysics, religion, and utopian society intersect.'

Part of me is laughing at the fact it has been read on such a superficial level while missing both the subtle and unsubtle themes purposely embedded in the book. Another part of me is thoroughly disappointed there is no further expectation of a 'self-help and business book' but to be completely superficial.

After all, shouldn’t readers have been alerted there may be more to this deceptively simple self-help and business book when the Preface covers the meaning of life? Or how about this phrase, '…this world we live in, in my humble opinion, may, in fact, be hell'—a very theological/philosophical theme also introduced in the Preface of just a typical, 'simple self-help and business book.'

https://ebarnes23.wordpress.com/2015/...

Mentor Me: GA=T+E—A Formula to Fulfill Your Greatest Achievement

Ken Poirot

#books #book #science #metaphysics #society #utopiansociety #utopia #mentorme #mentormebook #mentormegate #kenpoirot #authorkenpoirot #blog #guestblog #guestpost #blogging #guestblogging
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March 3, 2015

Blogger Review..."Mentor Me" by Ken Poirot...

"Mentor Me" Review:

"Are you wanting, wishing for your dreams to come true?...Then this would be the book for you.

Now a bit of full disclosure, I don't like these types of self-help books...I was pleasantly surprised. This one had some really great ideas, pointers and ways to plan to actually get your ideas to manifest..."

For the full review see the link below:

http://www.confessionsoftheperfectmom...

Mentor Me: GA=T+E—A Formula to Fulfill Your Greatest Achievement

Ken Poirot

Warmly,
Ken Poirot
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March 1, 2015

Author Interview...

Below is an excerpt to a recent author interview:

"Q: Why did you write MENTOR ME? Your life seems quite full without the need to produce a book!

Ken Poirot: I have a deep desire to help people and to influence others in a positive way. You can only touch so many people’s lives directly on a daily basis, even as a manager sometimes interacting with hundreds.

In contrast, a book is a medium you can use to leverage yourself and potentially positively affect many, many more lives. Additionally, a book is permanent. We all face the fact we are mortal; as I wrote in 'Mentor Me':

'Time (T) is our most valuable commodity. None of us knows how much Time (T) we have on this earth, and no matter how much money we have, we cannot buy any more of it.'

Writing this book was a way to leverage my time to potentially help more people presently and even after I am long gone from this earth."

See the full author interview with the link below:

http://strandssimplytips.blogspot.com...


Mentor Me: GA=T+E—A Formula to Fulfill Your Greatest Achievement

Ken Poirot

Warmly,
Ken Poirot
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