Inspirational quotes are popular because we see reflected in the wise words of great minds validation of who we feel we are and motivation for whom we want to become.

Each month Gary Blair, President and owner of i24 Call Management Solutions publishes a newsletter containing his favourite quotes – his ‘gems’. 

Gary's August Quotes and Trivia Gems

Quotes and Trivia for August – Garys Inspirational Monthly Gems

Welcome to August the month named for Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome. It is also associated with the hot and muggy summer days that the Romans associated with the heliacal rising of Sirius and the sighting of the Dog Star.  You may, of course, know them better as the “dog days of summer” the name given them during the early 1500’s.

The dog days are associated with lethargy, inactivity or indolence and cover the period of July 3 through August 11.  During ancient Egyptian times, the dates were earlier and timed with the summer solstice and the new year. However, with the precession of the equinoxes, the dates have now shifted later on the calendar.   

Why “dog days,” you ask?  Because the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph for Sirius was a dog.

And why a dog you ask? The reason has been lost over time, however, as a dog lover, I can attest to the fact that on hot and sultry summer days dogs love nothing more than to find a quiet spot to indulge their love of napping.  Coincidence … maybe, or maybe not.

In any event, for all you dog lovers (and cat lovers too), here are a few August Gems to help you have a chill and laid back the month of nothingness.  

 

And the thought to leave you with is …

Persistence and positivity are what continue to drive much of what I do in life and while some days are much more challenging than others, I generally always find my way back to one or the other, or both – even on the worst of days.  

And so, when I first came across the following quotation it struck me as the mantra that, taught early on in life, is all one really needs to know as the lessons of life continually teach us how to grow stronger and wiser, providing, of course, we remain open to them.

And so the quote I would like to leave you with this month is …

I never lose.  I either win or I learn.” – Nelson Mandela

“I never lose. I either win or I learn.” Nelson Mandela