With ingenuity, you can transform the common into the uncommon.

A friend of mine designed Thank You notes personalized with photographs of the people she thanked and created a priceless gift, born of love and ingenuity. Another returned a borrowed dish filled with yummy homemade chocolate bars with the recipe taped to the cover.

By putting a personal tweak to a seemingly common thing, you can command the attention of the world.

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AN INVENTOR KNOWS HOW TO BORROW...
“Only an inventor knows how to borrow, and every man is or should be an inventor.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

We learn from others, we borrow from what came before us. We all create and invent, whether it is a tasty recipe, a soaring skyscraper, or a business strategy to streamline operations. New ideas, built on old ones, are refined and personalized. Ingenuity comes with the limitless imagination.

As Thomas Edison once said, “Inventors must be poets so that they may have imagination.”
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100%...
"An average person puts only 25% of their energy and ability into their work. The world takes its hat off to those who put more than 50% capacity in, and stands on its head to those few and far between souls who devote 100%." ~ Andrew Carnegie

My father always said, if you are going to do something, "why not do it 100%."

Why not, indeed…
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APTITUDE FOR PATIENCE...
“Genius is nothing but a greater aptitude for patience.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Statesman Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was an inventor, publisher, writer, diplomat and more. In 1730, he published the proverb-filled periodical Poor Richard's Almanac in Philadelphia for the first time under the pseudonym Richard Saunders. That same year, Franklin established one of America’s first lending libraries.

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest,” the wise Franklin said.
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TELL THEM WHAT TO DO...
“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” ~ George Patton

The volunteers I worked with at The American Cancer Society always surprised me with their hard work and ingenuity. With heart and dedication, they transformed an idea I had for capturing painted handprints of survivors into a living quilt of artistic beauty.

“Ingenuity, plus courage, plus work, equals miracles.” ~ Bob Richards

There are no limits to your ingenuity.
Keep your eyes… and heart open.