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’.

Hi all,

Welcome, July! A favourite month of the year – for us northern hemisphere dwellers anyway.

Something about July brings out national pride … and national holidays! Canada celebrates Canada Day on July 1st. The US celebrates Independence day of July 4th and France celebrates Bastille Day on July 14th!

July is also the birth month of many high achievers … Aldous Huxley, Carl Jung, Ernest Hemingway, Frida Kahlo, Henry Ford, J.K. Rawling, Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana. Now that would make an interesting dinner party – you think?

The birthstone of July is the Ruby and it’s said to represent contentment. I know I’m sure content when I see July pop up on my calendar!

So that said, here are a few July Gems to help jump start your month’s contentment factor!

'If you’re searching for that one person who will change your life, take a look in the mirror.'Click To Tweet – Author Unknown

'I am not an original thinker, but I am an original listener.' Click To Tweet– Aravind Adiga

'Confidence is a tool you can use in your everyday life to do all kinds of cool stuff, not the least of which is to stop second-guessing yourself, manage your fears and become able to do more of the things that really matter to you.' Click To Tweet– Author Unknown

'The only lies for which we are truly punished are those we tell ourselves.'Click To Tweet – V.S. Naipaul

'Equal means getting the same thing, at the same time, and in the same place.'Click To Tweet – Thurgood Marshall

'A tradition without intelligence is not worth having.'Click To Tweet – T. S. Eliot

Some people are puzzles that are best understood in pieces rather than put together. C. E. SchmitClick To TweetC. E. Schmit

'Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn, and you will.'Click To Tweet – Vernon Howard

'Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you have decided to look beyond imperfections.'Click To Tweet – T. Bernard

'Life leaps like a geyser for those willing to drill through the rock of inertia.'Click To Tweet – Alexis Carrel

'When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves.'Click To Tweet – Anthony J. D’Angelo

'The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.'Click To Tweet – George Bernard Shaw

'Instinct is a marvelous thing. It can neither be explained or ignored.'Click To Tweet – Agatha Christie

'The proper use of science is not to conquer nature but to live in it.'Click To Tweet – Barry Commoner

'There is no burnt rice to a hungry person.'Click To Tweet – Philippine Proverb

'I’m looking into my past lives. I’m convinced some of then still owe me money.'Click To Tweet – Graham Parke

And the thought to leave you with is …

I believe that preparation is a key element in success – you know, “work your plan and plan your work.”

Having said that, Peter Drucker once wrote that the unexpected was the richest source of opportunity for successful innovation. Being open to recognizing an opportunity when it presents itself allows us to quickly take advantage of it.

A successful business rarely follows its business plan word for word. It’s the unexpected changes and challenges met that give a company its unique culture – its competitive advantage.

Serendipity unearths the most creative ideas!

Being a huge fan of jazz and the Montreal Jazz Festival, I knew I had to leave you with the following quote.