Courage and Faith sound like the names for special children and, in a sense, they are. They are facets of your own approach to life - children of your being.

Acts of heroism come to mind when we think about courage - facing unbeatable odds, taking action in the face of danger, sacrificing for the sake of others. A person who acts courageously is actually taking a calculated risk. He, or she, has a pretty good idea of what is to come and decides to take action despite the risk. It's a decision.

Faith is different. We celebrate courage but we admire faith. Faith brings to mind the spiritual aspect of life, living in a higher level of consciousness. It's a commitment more so than a decision.

Courage overcomes fear, but faith is fear-less. Fear doesn't even enter the equation. Faith is not a calculation of risk; it focuses on what's possible, not what's likely, on being, not achieving. It's acceptance in its truest form. It's the highest level of trust you can attain because you have accepted what is to come without a clear idea of what will actually happen.

In prayer or meditation it's the ability to accept where you are right now that leads to the next level of consciousness. It's the ability to separate the facts from your emotional response to those facts. That allows you to transcend your emotions and see the world for what it is and become a part of that world. To be faith-full to yourself, to trust in your attributes and abilities, will allow you to move through life successfully no matter the obstacles.

I have faith in your ability to live up to your potential. That's what keeps me going. But, it's easy to have faith in others. Every day we place our faith in others and we are sometimes disappointed. The hard part, what really makes the difference, is to have the courage to have faith in yourself.

The Dog Days of August are upon us. It's seems like everyone is just lying around waiting for something to happen. Are you?

If things are a little too quiet for your taste, take some time to review your results - what's worked, what hasn't - and think about what you could be doing right now to change those results. Maybe you need to change your marketing plan (you do have a marketing plan, right?) or take a class or do some business reading. You can't control how others act, but you are in control of you.

Can you actually network on the beach? Of course you can. It's probably the ultimate test of a good networker. You don't have business cards and you're reduced to wearing a swimsuit. Life doesn't get more basic. In this environment it's all about the conversations you have, your ability to ask good questions and listen to what's being said - and not being said. If you can develop the ability to do that on the beach you can do it well anywhere.