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Each morning we get up and navigate our way through
another day of work or play. But what really drives our actions, those beliefs
that serve as our guide post and inspiration? Are they taught to us by our our
parents, our religious or spiritual beliefs or are they some common sense set
of standards that become part of our every day life?
Each day we are bombarded with 'pearls of wisdom' from
those around us, those brief one liners that sometimes brings a smile to our
face or a message to the heart. Here are
a few that you may have heard.
I begin with a Maine
classic. “If it aint't broke, don't fix it!” It is quite apparent that
this old adage has been rejected by many who run our government as it appears
their primary purpose is to find something to fix, and if they can't, they make
something up.
“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Well
of course it is! If it were not, it would be yesterday. Right?
When my daughters were younger and dating, prior to
leaving the house I would warn them “ the night has a thousand eyes.” Very
simple. “There could be someone out there who knows who you are.” There were
times I knew about things even before they got home.
“It's not over 'til the fat lady sings'. Now I know there
is a musical reference here, probably the opera. But I think the meaning is that it's not over until it's over. Sounds
a bit like Yogi Berra, don't you think?
Many people get very upset when they make mistakes. “Making mistakes can mean that you
are learning faster.” The key here, however, is that we learn from mistakes. The definition of stupidity is said
to be “ doing the same thing over and over the same way, hoping for a different
result.”
There are several 'pearls' that fall into a common
category. “Into one's life some rain must fall.” Each day does not always begin sunny and
warm. Once and a while we may be given a
bowl of lemons. What to do? “Make lemonade!” Life gives us choices and
opportunities. We can either choose to act or not. Remember, however, that by not making a
choice, in reality, you are making a choice.... not to choose.
I overheard some recent high school graduates talking.
One commented that he wished he could predict the future, then he would know what courses to take in
college. To my surprise, the other responded by saying that the best way the
predict the future was to create it!” Wow, I was impressed. Now there was a
true young philosopher or maybe he remembered what his mother had told him..
So if life truly begins at 40, were the first 39 years just
practice? Is the beginning of wisdom
really 'silence'? Should you listen before you speak? Is it sometimes better to
“do nothing''? Is 'true wealth not how much money you have, but how you live
your life'?
By stringing some of these pearls together, you can make
yourself a very nice necklace and in the process, live a pretty good life.
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