prog·ress /präɡres/ 1.noun: forward or onward movement toward a destination, goal, or objective “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” Frederick Douglass, c. February 1818 – February 20, 1895 “The power to question is the basis of all human progress.” Indira Gandhi, 1917 – 2. verb: to improve or develop over a period of time “As the 19th century progressed, Europe’s innovations,... Read More

di·rec·tion /də-ˈrek-shən/, noun: 1. a statement that tells a person what to do and how to do it; an order or instruction “If the person at the wheel refuses to ask for directions, it is time for a new driver.” Jennifer Granholm, 1959 – “Give me something to assemble, I won’t look at the directions, I’ll try to figure it out by myself. It’s... Read More

con·tin·u·ous /kənˈtinyo͞oəs/,adjective: happening or existing without a break or interruption “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” Winston Churchill, 1874 – 1965 con·tin·u·al /kənˈtiny(əw)əl/, adjective: happening again and again within short periods of time “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Benjamin Franklin, 1706 – 1790   pictured:... Read More

a·bil·i·ty /əˈbilədē/, noun. plural, ties: 1. the state of being able; physical, mental, legal, or financial power to do “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” Bob Marley, 1945 – 1981 2. natural or acquired aptitude “Success means we go to sleep at night knowing... Read More

un·ex·pect·ed /ənəkˈspektəd/, adjective: not likely to occur; unforeseen. “Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me.” Carl Sandburg, 1978 – 1967 “If you do not expect the unexpected you will not find it, for it is not to be reached by search or trail.” Heraclitus, 535 BCE – 475 BCE example: Richard Hazen of the... Read More

deed /dēd/, noun: 1. an action that is performed intentionally or consciously “A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.” Henrik Ibsen, 1828 – 1906 “Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs... Read More

pil·lar/ˈpilər/, noun: 1. a tall vertical structure of stone, wood, or metal, used as a support for a building, or used as an ornament or monument. “The carrying power of a bridge is not the average strength of the pillars, but the strength of the weakest pillar. I have always believed that you do not measure the health of a society by GNP but... Read More

1. adjective: following in accordance with what is just, good, or proper “The time is always right to do the right thing.” Martin Luther King Jr., 1929 – 1968 noun: 2. that which is morally correct, just, or honorable “We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” Nelson Mandela, 1918 – 2013 3. something to... Read More

Focus fo·cus /ˈfōkəs/ noun: 1. the center of interest or activity “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.” Eckhart Tolle, 1948 – 2. the optical clarity of an object, photograph or vision “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” Mark Twain, 1935 verb: 3. to... Read More

fairy/ˈferē/, noun: an imaginary magical creature who has the form of a tiny human being tale/ tāl/, noun: a fictitious narrative or story, especially one that is imaginatively recounted fairy tale: a children’s story about magical and imaginary beings and lands “Happiness is like those palaces in fairy tales whose gates are guarded by dragons: we must fight in order to conquer it.” Alexandre... Read More