Success to me is being a good person, treating people well.
David LaChapelle
The other day I attended the funeral of the father of one of my son-in-laws. I did not know him for a long time but I had learned to appreciate his kindness and his sense of humor. He lived in a small town here in Indiana and was loved by the folks who lived there. He was in his mid-eighties and had suffered from severe health problems in recent years including the amputation of a leg months ago. In spite of it all he stayed upbeat and active until he became totally bed ridden a few weeks ago. Through it all he found a way to make it to breakfast with friends almost every day and to continue many other activities.
I did not know him well but I liked him a lot. He was in agony during his last days so his passing was a blessing. While he will be missed the memory of him will linger on in the hearts and minds of the people he touched for years to come.
Today I read this piece that reminded me of this good man and I want to share it with you.
Whose list are you on?
Written by Bob Perks
I had to say goodbye to someone. You know I hate goodbyes, so I struggled with what I needed to say to him. But at the same time I discovered something special about how I feel about people and myself. The following is taken, in part, from the note I just emailed to him:
‘It’s the thing about caring for people. They get into your life, sometimes briefly, and manage to become a part of who you are. Not all people, but those special individuals who arrive unexpectedly and linger there. How does it happen?
They are the ones who, the first time you meet them, touch you in such a way that they leave an imprint on your heart. They are the people you look for and hope to meet along the way. They make the journey easier. Some become close friends and share everyday happenings in your life. Others just pass through leaving behind bits and pieces of who they are.
Then there are those who are always there, but off in the distance somewhere within reach whenever you need them. You may only see them once in a while, but when you do you are made better, lifted up, energized by the time you shared with them.’
After reading this I thought about the many people in my life who fit into this group. I realized how many people I depend on each day, sometimes just to get through it. I am blessed beyond measure. It also brought up this question…’Am I one of those people?’
Wouldn’t it be great if we could become more like the people we personally depend on? Like the old, ‘If you want a good friend, be one.’ or, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’
Look at the people around you that you love and depend on daily. Make a list of all of the qualities they possess that you admire and value. Now, take that same list and ask yourself, ‘I am I as good a person?’ Do you reflect those same qualities in the lives of others?
Now, ask yourself, ‘Whose list are you on?’
~~~
“Why did you do all this for me?’ he asked. ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’
‘You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing.”
E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web
~~~
A sales clerk asked his boss how to handle people who complained about the current prices compared to the low prices in the good old days.
“Just act surprised and tell them you didn’t think that they were old enough to remember them.”
~~~
THINGS ONLY A MOM CAN TEACH
- My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION… “Just wait until we get home.”
- My Mother taught me about RECEIVING…. “You are going to get it when we get home!”
- My Mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE… “What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you… Don’t talk back to me!”
- My Mother taught me LOGIC… “If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, your not going to the store with me.”
- My Mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE… “If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.”
- My Mother taught me to THINK AHEAD… “If you don’t pass your spelling test, you’ll never get a good job.”
- My Mother taught me ESP… “Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you’re cold?”
- My Mother taught me HUMOR… “When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”
- My Mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT… “If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”
- My Mother taught me about SEX…. “How do you think you got here?”
- My Mother taught me about GENETICS… “You’re just like your father.”
- My Mother taught me about my ROOTS… “Do you think you were born in a barn?”
- My Mother taught me about WISDOM OF AGE… “When you get to be my age, you will understand.
- And my all time favorite… JUSTICE… “One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you….Then you’ll see what it’s like.”
~~~
I would like to take you seriously, but to do so would affront your intelligence.
William F. Buckley
~~~
The new priest is nervous about hearing confessions, so he asks the older priest to sit in on his sessions. The new priest hears a couple of confessions, then the old priest asks him to step out of the confessional for a few suggestions. The old priest suggests, “Cross you arms over your chest, and rub your chin with one hand.”
The new priest tries this.
The old priest suggests, “Try saying things like, ‘I see, yes, go on,’ and ‘I understand. How did you feel about that?'”
The new priest says those things.
The old priest says, “Now, don’t you think that’s a little better than slapping your knee and saying ‘You’re putting me on!!! What happened next?'”
~~~
Every teenager should get a high school education — even if they already know everything
~~~
The Hodja (teacher) was selling olives at the market and business was slow. He called to a woman who was passing by and tried to entice her. She shook her head and told him she didn’t have any money with her. “No problem,” the Hodja grinned. “You can pay me later.” She still looked hesitant, so he offered her one to taste.
“Oh no, I can’t, I’m fasting,” she responded.
“Fasting? But Ramadan was 6 months ago!”
“Yes, well, I missed a day and I’m making it up now. Go ahead and give me a kilo of the black olives.”
“Forget it!” shouted the Hodja. “If it took you 6 months to pay back a debt you owed ALLAH, who knows when you’ll get around to paying me!”
~~~
“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him.”
David Brinkley
~~~
She said:
“The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you’ve started.” So I looked around the house to see all the things I started and hadn’t finished… and before leaving the house this morning I finished off a bottle of red wine, a bottle of white, the Bailey’s, Kahlua and Wild Turkey, the Prozac, some Valium, some cheesecake and a box of chocolates. You have no idea how freaking good I feel.
You may pass this on to those you feel are in need of Inner Peace.
~~~
“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
~~~
Stay well, do good work, and have fun.
Ray Mitchell
Indianapolis, Indiana
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