What pearls of wisdom have you accumulated over the years? Beyond just platitudes, proverbs or bromides. Could be something that you learned from a good book or some research, or that you’ve come to understand through hard experience. Could be practical or mystical. Could be something that you’ve come to practice, or something that remains a distant goal.
'Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW -- What a Ride!!!'
I guess some of the things I've learned (takes some people awhile) is that:
1. My mother was usually right.
2. If I had just let loose of the steering wheel and let God handle things, I wouldn't have had to experience some of the hard lessons.
3. But! -- As a result of the hard lessons, I'm a different person -- hopefully better! lol!
Two sayings that have changed in meaning the older (and wiser) I get:
From existentialism: Not to decide is to decide
Goethe: There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action!
Love people, Trust God. People are designed to make mistakes.
One of the greatest bits of knowledge I acquire through my journey is that I can choose my attitude. I made a decision to be happy and to embrace life with joy and humor in most any circumstance. I can usually look for the good in any situation and when I can't I honor and accept that feeling and move on.
People tend to do what makes them feel good. In that doing we can be hiding from fear and sadness. When that is taken to the extreme someone gets hurt and there is destruction of the mind, body and soul. Our common ground is the desire to feel good, the method is our difference.
Acceptance is the key. When I am troubled it is be cause a person, place, or thing is not meeting my expectation. When I have expectations I will usually be disappointed and troubled. I cannot change other people, so acceptance is the key to my serenity.
I cannot change other people, but I can change myself.
Gail....you have such a kind and gentle outlook on life.....we could all benefit from your lessons.....you say that you cannot change other people only yourself...that is true...but as evidenced by your kindness, you can influence the behavior of others....positively (or negatively)....I am so grateful that there are those people like yourself who choose to influence others positively. I will try to send positive energy out as you and Lou are preparing for that test!! I never took it, I took the Miller's Analogy Exam....I actually enjoyed it....you may find the GRE enjoyable as well. I hope so.
I got to know and take some workshops from the late great Robert Terry who wrote 'Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action.' He, and his works, probably impacted me professionally as much as any other single individual. I use some of his principles in a class these days. He based his worldview on seven 'features of human action:'
- Existence (our sacred history)
- Resources (the fact that we are body as well as spirit)
- Structure (our battlement against chaos)
- Power (the spark that animates us)
- Mission (as humans we possess drive to go in a direction of our choosing)
- Meaning (the big 'why' question)
- Fulfillment (refers to the fact that we, and life, are dynamic, ever unfolding)
These seven human characteristics build upon one another, and (of course) bend back and cycle in a feedback loop. He developed his 'action wheel,' sort of compass containing these seven points, as a tool to help one through difficult circumstances, leadership or life challenges, etc.
Originally a theologian, Terry branched out into leadership studies. He defined leadership as 'The courage to call forth authentic action in the commons.' And for him,, each word of that defin. pulsed with meaning. He said that there were two minimum requirements in life: 1. Show up, and 2. Engage.
Loretta,
Thank you for your kind words. I consider myself a very lucky woman to have survived and made a U turn on my own road to destruction. I am extremely grateful to have undergone a transformation in my outlook on life.
I agree we do influence others with our words and actions, either positively or negatively, just as we are influenced by others. Many of us were dealt a good hand of cards and we can draw strenth from those people and experiences. Others are not fortunate and have had destructive forces influencing them. What I find interesting is I have met people who taken the route of destruction even having been dealt a good hand, while others rise up from destruction and lead wonderful lives. That reinforces what I have learned, that it is not what happens, but how I react to what happens that determines my wellbeing and attitude. The great opportunity in life is that we can change and it is never too late.
Thank you for sending positive thoughts to Louis and me. I love having reconnected with you and all our classmates. It is inspirational and a joy.
No, Phyllis, it's just that not as much is known for certain about them; they're evolutionary biologically blank slates. Anyone who attends the reunion with a full head of hair next month will have to withstand additional scrutiny by all....
Phyllis, my observation is that hairy guys go bald the earliest. But hair is never lost -- it's a zero sum game thing. You're given what you're given and the amount remains constant. It just changes location. What formally grew without bidding in glistening waves on your head, gradually appears elsewhere, so that, whereas you once looked like a young Beach Boy, you begin to look more Dick Cheneyish. Once warm and comfortable, your head now feels cold a lot, and people think you're wearing a sweater, but it's July, and what they're looking at is coming from under your shirt, creeping out over the neck, hanging out the ends of the sleeves. You spend thirty bucks at a hair salon, deceiving youself, thinking that spending that much money means you have enough hair to style. But the session becomes an argument with the stylist over what to do with your sideburns and eyebrow hair -- the only stuff left she can shape. She's been cutting hair for all of six months and hasn't learned that eyebrows and sideburns are sacred territory for guys. At home in the mirror when the backlighting is right, you discover there are tendrils streaming like irrigated weeds from your ears, from the insides, the lobes, the rear along the ridges. The term 'razor back' passes through your mind and something like 'Sheesh!' escapes your lips. Ear hair! Why ear hair? You grab the tweasers and yank 'em, and three days later they're back ('We're ba-ack!'). The hardy little suckers would be good candidates for transplanting to the top, but they're ear hairs and would certainly return home a week after surgery. And this little discussion doesn't even cover greying.
So why am I writing this? Oh yeah, wisdom and the perils of it. There's a difference between wisdom and stupidity and here it is: Wisdom is not combing what's left up over the top of your head because your wife will see it and say, 'You look really stupid.'
Thanks Larry for your 'pearls of wisdom'! This is a topic I can finally relate to!
The threads have gotten decidedly esoteric and HEAVY lately. I needed a good laugh (and something I could understand). I am really looking forward to the stroll up South Mountain with you and hopefully several more 'wise' but not too serious classmates.
But Gary, I'm dead serious. To me, this is a stark lesson in communism, the redistribution of wealth from perfectly productive follicles that have been doing their job for years -- making you look good -- to niggly, whiney follicles who make no contribution to appearance at all. Think about it and we'll discuss it (or not) on the walk. ;-)
Baldness appears to be associated with stability and maturity. Haven't you noticed that bald men get all the good-looking women -- many of them quite a lot younger than themselves? ha! ha!
Phyllis, my observation is that hairy guys go bald the earliest. But hair is never lost -- it's a zero sum game thing. You're given what you're given and the amount remains constant. It just changes location. What formally grew without bidding in glistening waves on your head, gradually appears elsewhere, so that, whereas you once looked like a young Beach Boy, you begin to look more Dick Cheneyish. Once warm and comfortable, your head now feels cold a lot, and people think you're wearing a sweater, but it's July, and what they're looking at is coming from under your shirt, creeping out over the neck, hanging out the ends of the sleeves. You spend thirty bucks at a hair salon, deceiving youself, thinking that spending that much money means you have enough hair to style. But the session becomes an argument with the stylist over what to do with your sideburns and eyebrow hair -- the only stuff left she can shape. She's been cutting hair for all of six months and hasn't learned that eyebrows and sideburns are sacred territory for guys. At home in the mirror when the backlighting is right, you discover there are tendrils streaming like irrigated weeds from your ears, from the insides, the lobes, the rear along the ridges. The term 'razor back' passes through your mind and something like 'Sheesh!' escapes your lips. Ear hair! Why ear hair? You grab the tweasers and yank 'em, and three days later they're back ('We're ba-ack!'). The hardy little suckers would be good candidates for transplanting to the top, but they're ear hairs and would certainly return home a week after surgery. And this little discussion doesn't even cover greying.
So why am I writing this? Oh yeah, wisdom and the perils of it. There's a difference between wisdom and stupidity and here it is: Wisdom is not combing what's left up over the top of your head because your wife will see it and say, 'You look really stupid.'
Larry
You are one funny...er I mean 'wise' guy!! Dont care what anybody says, there is never a valid justification for a comb-over. I've seen guys with them so long they could wrap it around their neck and use it for a muffler in winter. ;o)
Here is a 'Pearl of Wisdom' I heard on a cartoon show.
'Each destination is but the threshold to another. Live the Journey!'
I have actually tried to embrace this ideology in the last 20 years. It sounds cheesy but works for me. By the way....Larry- you are hilarious. Gail, you are so thoughtful :) I try to live my life with as much humor as I can. It seems to make everything seem less critical. Stress is so destructive.
'Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.' (Zechariah 4:10)
I'm guessing that this is one of the most profound little statements that have been written. It's not only a truism (everything starts small, with a first step). But it's also a great lesson in motivation and life - even efforts that seem impossible, may still be attainable, if you just begin. One thing is certain, you won't accomplish a thing unless you do take that step toward it.
Beginnings are a breath of fresh air, something that replaces the current scene, a departure from the past. No doubt everyone here can tell a tale of how they at long last decided to get off their butts and try something new, or scary, or risky. Shed the confining past, leave that old self behind. That thing remained scary until the first step was taken, and when the world didn't fall apart, they took a second step, and the rest became our individual histories. Our sacred histories.
And these sacred histories get passed on to our kids, given to the world, shared with later generations. Even the smallest thing. That action that we may believe to be so small and insignificant, may, when viewed through another lens, be in fact really big, really important to someone, somewhere.
My wife's mom was still making new beginnings, starting anew, generating energy, life, love, at 90. Her world was expanding, not narrowing, as might be expected of a super senior. She had a larger circle of friends, co-conspirators, etc., than she had when younger. Almost as if accelerating through the finish line instead of coasting. Do not despise new beginnings, embrace them, seize them, become them. Great offering!
