“that we would receive the overwhelming message that the vast majority of adults feel they have no talent in these areas. On the other hand, if we were to conduct the same poll among 4-year-olds, we would find that virtually all of them are convinced they can sing, and virtually all of them have confidence in their ability to dance. Most of the 4-year-olds have little or no real talent, but, instead, they are endowed with incredible confidence in their own potential. This confidence, or certainty of success, is something we were all born with but we later traded in for a strong dose of what we call realism. Shortly after we reach school age, we are taught lessons about the world that revolve around us, limiting our vision and becoming realistic.”
―
Jim Stovall
“Happiness is often elusive and fleeting. There are three elements that, when combined, always result in happiness. Like a three-legged stool, they work in tandem. Any two of the three”
―
Jim Stovall
“Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.”
―
Jim Stovall
“Success lies in the balance between seeking and striving on one hand and being peaceful and content on the other.”
―
Jim Stovall
“In order to be truly happy in the largest sense of that word, we must have something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to.”
―
Jim Stovall
“Some people are born into wonderful families. Others have to find or create them. Being a member of a family is a priceless privilege which costs nothing but love.”
―
Jim Stovall
“Tournament. For months, every team in the country has a goal of making it to the tournament. Then, at the end of the season, 64 teams are selected from various parts of the country. As the tournament progresses, teams are eliminated one-by-one until, at the end of the season, the team remaining is named the national champion. Among all of the participants who began at the beginning of the season, and among all the top 64 who actually made the tournament, only one team comes out on top. If this is our only goal, the majority of us are doomed”
―
Jim Stovall
“Only when we try to understand one another's suffering can we begin to bring each other joy.”
―
Jim Stovall
“gentlemen have leant their talent, time, and energy to this project. Please note that the columns appear here just as they were printed in publications around the world. Some of them are more than a decade old at this writing, but the wisdom is eternal, and the context creates points”
―
Jim Stovall
“... sometimes in life, you either laugh or you cry. And I prefer to laugh.”
―
Jim Stovall
“Instead of looking to find a friend, seek situations where you can be a friend, and you will always find what you are looking for.”
―
Jim Stovall
“The only way to truly get more out of life for yourself is to give part of yourself away.”
―
Jim Stovall
“Remember that a wish held fervently turns into belief, and a belief held diligently becomes reality.”
―
Jim Stovall
“A journey should never be judged by the destination or mode of transportation. It should be judged by the friends who accompany us on the trip.”
―
Jim Stovall
“Love is a treasure for which we can never pay. The only way we keep it is to give it away.”
―
Jim Stovall
