“Before you act, listen. Before you react, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try.”

-Ernest Hemingway

Born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois, Ernest Hemingway was a very influential American author and journalist. This quote seems to be the longer version of a phrase that most of us probably grew up with, “think before you act.” Before you take action on someone or something you need to listen to what is going on. In response before you react you need to think about what you are going to do or say and how it is going to effect your future. I think a lot of us spend before we earn. That is what we call credit cards. I dream of the day where I rid myself of credit card debt. Before you criticize someone wait and try to realize where they are coming from. You don’t know their background story so you really have no reason to criticize people without waiting for all the facts. Before you pray, forgive. I may not be the go to guy for this one but to me it means before for you pray to who you worship for forgiveness you need to forgive those you have directly wronged. Lastly my favorite, before you quit anything in your life you need to try everything!

Have a great week everyone. For those of you in the United States fall is upon us, what a beautiful time! For those around the world I would love to hear what kind of weather graces you now!

 ***I discovered today there is debate about this quote, if it was Ernest’s or someone else. I won’t get into that here though because no matter who said it, it still has great meaning.***