Ray's Daily

Ray’s Daily

March 5, 2020

http://rays-daily.com

Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.”

Baltasar Gracian

I am a little blocked this morning so here is another blast from the past.

Ray

Ray’s Daily first published on March 5, 2007

Gracian’s quote really hit home for me. I have been thinking lately, as I have quoted the saints and heroes of the past how they did so many amazing things. When I think of my own life and what it has been and even what it might have been it shrinks to almost nothing when compared to those who so unselfishly gave so much to the world.

The reason the quote hits home is that for many years I displayed a wall full of photos of myself with the famous and near famous. The walls were also filled with plaques and citations that in all honesty did not represent anything that was extraordinary on my part. So why were they there? Were they there to convince others that I was more than I really was or were they there to convince myself that I was something special? Fortunately, I have outgrown the need to feed my ego, or at least I think I have. I now realize that recognition means little, it is what we do that has meaning. We don’t have to aspire to be saints or heroes; we can do saintly and heroic things in our everyday lives, things that are only recognized by ourselves.

Being a hero to yourself really only means that you do the right thing whenever you can. Sometimes it is hard to know what the right thing is but I believe you can always trust your loving heart more than your materialistic mind. I guarantee you that getting in the habit of doing the little things that make a difference to others will enrich your life. It really does not take much, opening the door for a stranger, helping those you can, and just caring about others. When you care enough, people will care for you more than you thought possible, and if you do what you can do your mind will be filled with awards that you have given to yourself.

And by the way, if you don’t care who knows about your good works you don’t have to stop to decide what’s in it for you. Also I want to let you know that the pictures on my wall were of people that don’t mean as much to me as you do.

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“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for  ourselves”

Helen Keller

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A man walks into a glass shop, interested in buying an expensive art piece to keep as a family heirloom. One gorgeous glass art piece catches his eye under the banner “UNBREAKABLE”. However, it has no price marked“ Pardon me,” he says to the shopkeeper, “but what is the price on this piece marked “unbreakable? ”“One hundred thousand dollars.” Replies the storekeeper. Gasping for his next breath, he inquired why the price should be so high .“Like the sign says, it’s unbreakable!” To be sure, the man asked again if this item was indeed unbreakable. The owner again assured him it was so. The third time the man asked, the keeper was a bit terse and told him to buy the piece and see for himself that it would not break. The man greatly admired the piece, and so he paid the $100,000 and took it home, where it was put on display in a protective case. He had an occasion to visit the glass shop again the next month and told the storekeeper how much care he had taken to protect and preserve the beautiful piece. As he looks around, he sees one of the pieces he’d seen the month before, which was only $500, now sitting under the “UNBREAKABLE” banner. “Excuse me, but how can that piece be unbreakable, too – it only costs $500, and last month was in the display cabinet mixed together with these other pieces!”No, it’s one hundred thousand dollars – it’s unbreakable, now, too.” The storekeeper replied. “How can you be so sure?” he demands.

“Because the schmuck who pays 100 bills for that thing is going to take as much care with *it* as you did with yours!”

~~~

The trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.

Erica Jong

~~~

To get acquainted with his new Parish, the Priest decided to call on some daily. One he selected was a young widow, her husband, according to the index card, had died two years ago. After knocking at the door, he was greeted by a young lady with a baby in her arms.   He said, “I’m sorry, I must have the wrong address, I was looking for the widow Smith.

“You’ve found her, Father,” smiled the lady.   “Well, according to the card here, it says your husband died over two years ago.” He said glancing at the baby in her arms.

“That’s correct, Father, he surely did–But I didn’t.”

~~~

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies, probably because they are generally the same people.

~~~

A young schoolboy was having a hard time pronouncing the letter “R” and all the other kids were, of course, teasing him about it.   To help him out, the teacher gave him a sentence to practice at home: “Robert gave Richard a rap in the ribs for roasting the rabbit so rare.”  In class a few days later, the teacher asked the boy to recite the sentence out loud.

The boy nervously eyed his classmates – many of them already laughing at him – then replied, “Bob gave Dick a poke in the side because the bunny wasn’t cooked enough.”

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Nothing determines who we will become so much as those things we choose to ignore.

Sandor Minab

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ON THE ROLE OF GOOD LOOKS IN LOVE

“If you want to be loved by somebody who isn’t already in your family, it doesn’t hurt to be beautiful. (Jeanne, 8)

“It isn’t always just how you look. Look at me. I’m handsome like anything and I haven’t got anybody to marry me yet.” (Gary, 7)“Beauty is skin deep. But how rich you are can last a long time.” (Christine, 9) >

CONCERNING WHY LOVERS OFTEN HOLD HANDS

– “They want to make sure their rings don’t fall off because they paid good money for them.” (Dave, 8)

CONFIDENTIAL OPINIONS ABOUT LOVE

– “I’m in favor of love as long as it doesn’t happen when ‘The Simpsons’ is on television.” (Anita, 6)

– “Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I have been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me.” (Bobby, 8)

– “I’m not rushing into being in love. I’m finding fourth grade hard enough.” (Regina, 10)

THE PERSONAL QUALITIES NECESSARY TO BE A GOOD LOVER

– “One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills.” (Ava,8)

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Contrary to popular belief, used-car salesmen are fairly honest with their customers. It’s usually a condition of their parole.

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She said: According to my mother, she and Dad decided to start a family soon after he became an officer in the Air Force. When months went by without success, they consulted the base physician, who chose to examine Mom right then and there.   “Please disrobe,” he told her.   “With him in the room??” she yelled, pointing to my father.

Turning to Dad, the doctor said, “Captain, I think I found the problem.”

~~~

“Let your intentions be good – embodied in good thoughts, cheerful words, and unselfish deeds – and the world will be to you a bright and happy place in which to work and play and serve”

Grenville Kleise

~~~

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

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