RULES TO LIVE BY

RULES TO LIVE BY

I recently read an article by a “young” lady named Regina Brett.  This lady is 90 years old and has a perspective that just might be of some real use to folks heading her way.  The article was published in The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.  I won’t list all of the points, even though all are very poignant for our year and time but here are a few that struck me.   Take a look.

• Life is not fair—but it’s still very good
• Life is much too short to waste time hating anyone
• Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will.  Stay in touch.
• Pay off your credit cards every month.
• It’s OK to get angry with God.  He can handle it.
• Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
• When it comes to chocolate—resistance is futile.
• Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
• Don’t compare your life with others.  You have no idea what their journey is all about.
• If a relationship has to be secret, you should not be in it.
• Get rid of anything that is not useful, beautiful or joyful.
• Whatever does not kill you will really make you stronger.
• It is never too late to have a happy childhood but the second one is up to you.
• When it comes to going after what you love in life, never take no for an answer.
• Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy clothes.   Don’t save it for a special occasion.  Today is special.
• Over prepare.
• Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
• No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
• Forgive everyone everything.
• Don’t audit life—show up and make the most of it.
• Get outside every day.  Miracles are waiting everywhere.
• Envy is a waste of time.
• No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up.
•  Life is not tied with a bow, but it is still a gift.

Hope you like these.  Thanks Ms. Brett.

 

THE POWER OF ONE

“THE POWER OF ONE”

I’m probably the last one on the planet to read “The Power of One” by Bryce Courtenay.  I discovered this absolutely marvelous book, with remarkably complex characters, some time ago but frankly did not have the time to invest in reading until a few days ago.  The characters literally come to life as you go from chapter to chapter.  Their personalities evolve as you turn the pages.  Getting to know them is like looking through a dirty glass window but as you progressively clean the glass you get a much better indication as to what they look like.  As the story unfolds, we are introduced to Klipklop, Dee, Dum, Inksoi-Inkosikazi, Grandpa Chook, Peekay, Hoppie Groenweld, Big Hattie, Geel Piet and a host of additional colorful characters that provide great delight for the reader.  Mr. Courtenay weaves these individuals into the life of the young man Peekay, the major character of the book.   Another wonderful facet of the book is the introduction of words, apparently found only in South Africa during that generation. Rooineks, mootie, pisskop, sjambok, kaffir, tackies—all bring great variety to the reading experience. 

The theme of the book is, obviously, the power of one:  one idea, one heart, one mind, one plan and one determination.  This charts the road to success for Peekay.  We find this little boy going from a bullied five-year old to the welter-weight champion of South Africa and what a remarkable journey he does take to reach that point.   Peekay is challenged by the words of fly-weight boxer Hoppie Groenweld:  “First with the head, then with the heart. That’s how a man stays ahead right from the start.”  One must admit, a powerful and valuable concept that can and should be applied to affect success for any endeavor.  These words, adequately applied to one idea, can produce results far beyond all expectations.  I think one idea, with one plan for implementation, can carry an individual towards resounding success.

I strongly recommend you read this book—then give it to a member of Congress.

IF

These are really tough times for many many people in our country.  Unemployment is around 10% with some sources saying it is closer to 18% if you count those who are under-employed and those who have given up seeking employment.  New housing starts down about 27% in July.  An all time low considering that we are in the “building season”.  Great uncertainty in the stock market with the DOW and NASDAQ performing like a roller coaster.  A double-dip recession is a definite possibility and with a “FED” that seemingly does not have a clue.  Two wars.  A rookie president.  We major on the minors because we are afraid to make the big decisions.  Too worried about getting reelected in November–2012–whatever.

This is a great time to re-read one of my favorite poems from one of my favorite authors–Rudyard Kipling.  Here is it.

                                                IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!

 When I am ”bummed out”, having had a really bad day, week, month, etc I always read this short poem.  I don’t know why it helps but it always does.  I hope you have had a great week, month, year to date and definitely wish the same for the remainder of the year.  Let’s all keep the faith-engage-stay close to our families-work like the devil to get out of this mess and look forward to better times.  They will come again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!