Ray’s Daily
January 23, 2020
Well begun is half done.
Aristotle
I sometimes wonder why so many of us seem satisfied with just spending our days coasting and not experiencing what else we might do. Some of us probably have spent our whole life time waiting for someone or something to offer us happiness. In reality I don’t think the chances of finding a more interesting life often comes to those who wait.
It is really up to us to step out, take a few risks, and discover what can enrich our days. It is the folks who are open and interested in what is going on who are the most satisfied. Here is a story about a young man who want’s his future to be decided by something he may never find. The secret is that no matter our age it is up to us to find what we want out of our days.
Getting Started
Chris’s parents were proud of him when he graduated from college. But it’s been six months and he hasn’t gotten a job yet. In fact, he hasn’t looked seriously. He has no idea what he wants to do and he’s thinking of grad school. He’s living at home with his parents and things are getting tense, especially with his father, who accuses Chris of being lazy and afraid to enter the real world.
Chris thinks his dad is being totally unreasonable. After all, he’s only young once and he needs some ‘space.’ During a recent argument, Chris said, ‘I’m not you, Dad. I have my own way of doing things. I want a job I enjoy.’
His dad replied, ‘That’s a nice idea, but in the end they call it ‘work’ because it’s about making a productive living – not having fun.’
There are many youngsters like Chris who are having trouble getting started with a serious job and becoming self-reliant. Some, like Peter Pan, just don’t want to grow up. Some are afraid of making a wrong decision or of being rejected. Others are victims of what psychologist’s call ‘magical thinking.’ They believe that when the time is right, everything will fall into place. So they wait for opportunity to come knocking or until they feel inspired or excited about their next step.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. What’s crucial is to begin. Things happen and opportunities appear most often when we’re moving, not standing still.
Momentum is vital. Basic physics says it’s easier to alter the course of a moving object than to start movement initially. In the end, it’s not really about finding yourself. It’s about making yourself.
The first steps are the hardest, but the key to success in anything is getting started.
Written by Michael Josephson
~~~
Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.
Thomas Jefferson
~~~
Today at the drugstore, the clerk was a gent.
From my purchase this chap took off ten percent.
I asked for the cause of a lesser amount;
And he answered, “Because of the Seniors Discount.”
I went to McDonald’s for a burger and fries;
And there, once again, got quite a surprise.
The clerk poured some coffee which he handed to me.
He said, “For you, Seniors, the coffee is free.”
Understand—I’m not old—I’m merely mature;
But some things are changing, temporarily, I’m sure.
The newspaper print gets smaller each day,
And people speak softer–can’t hear what they say.
My teeth are my own (I have the receipt),
And my glasses identify people I meet.
Oh, I’ve slowed down a bit…not a lot, I am sure.
You see, I’m not old…I’m only mature.
The gold in my hair has been bleached by the sun.
You should see all the damage that chlorine has done.
Washing my hair has turned it all white,
But don’t call it gray…saying “blond” is just right.
My car is all paid for…not a nickel is owed.
Yet a kid yells, “Old duffer…get off of the road!”
My car has no scratches…not even a dent.
Still I get all that guff from a punk who’s “Hell bent.”
My friends all get older…much faster than me.
They seem much more wrinkled, from what I can see.
I’ve got “character lines,” not wrinkles…for sure,
But don’t call me old…just call me mature.
The steps in the houses they’re building today
Are so high that they take…your breath all away;
And the streets are much steeper than ten years ago.
That should explain why my walking is slow.
But I’m keeping up on what’s hip and what’s new,
And I think I can still dance a mean boogaloo.
I’m still in the running…in this I’m secure,
I’m not really old … I’m only mature.
~~~
“The thing that impresses me the most about America is the way parents obey their children.”
King Edward VIII
~~~
After being laid off from five different jobs in four months, my Uncle Joe was hired by a warehouse. But one day he lost control of a forklift and drove it off the loading dock. Surveying the damage, the owner shook his head and said he’d have to withhold 10 percent of Uncle Joe’s wages to pay for the repairs.
“How much will it cost?” asked my uncle.
“About $4,500,” said the owner.
“What a relief!” exclaimed Uncle Joe. “I’ve finally got job security!”
~~~
Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
~~~
When it comes to wine I’m very particular about what I buy. There are two things I look for before making my selection.
First, the word “Wine” must appear somewhere on the label. This is something I insist on.
Second, I look for a sign nearby that says “On Sale.”
Follow these two rules and you won’t go far wrong.
~~~
For people who like peace and quiet – a phoneless cord.
~~~
It was a May-December marriage, and as the old man climbed in to bed for the first time with his new bride, he asked, “Did your mother tell you what to do on your wedding night?”
“Yes,” she cooed, kissing him lightly, “She told me everything.”
“Good,” said the elderly gentleman as he turned out the light, “because I’ve forgotten.”
~~~
A computer DOES save time at work. Now I can play solitaire without having to spend all that time shuffling real cards.
~~~
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
Zig Ziglar
~~~
Ray Mitchell
Indianapolis, Indiana
Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.
Ray’s Daily has been sent for more than fifteen years to people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@gmail.com. Back issues are posted at http://rays-daily,com/ currently there are more than 2000 readers from around the world.
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