Sunday, April 09, 2006

Man's First Duty

...a man's first duty is to his own conscience and honor; the party and country come second to that, and never first.

- Mark Twain, a Biography

Saturday, April 01, 2006

The Dilemma

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose your feelings is to risk rejection.
To place your dreams before the crowd
is to risk ridicule.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To go forward in the face of overwhelming
odds is to risk failure.
But risk must be taken because the
greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing,
has nothing, is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but
he cannot learn, feel, change, grow, or love.
Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave.
He has forfeited his freedom.
Only a person who dares to risk is free.
- Author Unknown

That Man is a Success

That Man is a Success

who has lived well,
laughed often and loved much;

who has gained the respect
of intelligent men
and the love of children;

who has filled his niche
and accomplished his task;

who leaves the world better
than he found it,
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem
or a rescued soul;

who has never lacked appreciation
of earth’s beauty
or failed to express it;

who looked for the best in others
and gave the best he had.

- Robert Louis Stevenson

Patriotism

"My definition of patriotism is to defend your country with the truth, no matter the consequences."

- John Kerry, Esquire, January 2006

My Life

"This has been my life forever, so it's not odd to me."

- Alyssa Milano, Esquire, January 2006

Normal?

"Just because something doesn't fit into a normal mold doesn't mean that it's abnormal."

- Alyssa Milano, Esquire, January 2006

Apathy

"The apathy in America is probably even scarier that the administration."

- Alyssa Milano, Equire, January 2006

Other People

"The only way to learn about yourself is through other people."

- Alyssa Milano, Esquire, Janaury 2006

What Are You Good At?

"A big part of life is realizing what you are good at."

- Alyssa Milano, Esquire, January 2006

Passengers

"Maybe this is a little too thoughtful , but we're all just passengers in a way."

- Neil Young, Esquire, January 2006

Courage

"Courage is a mindless thing. People say, 'Wow! How could you do that?' And you say, 'How could you not do that?'"

- Neil Young, Esquire, January 2006

The Weight

"Your grandfather's coffin is heavier than you expect. Your father's coffin is heavier than you can bear."

- Todd Lowe, Hong Kong, Esquire, January 2006

Not Any Less

"Always approach the intimidatingly attractive woman. If you get turned down, who cares? You are not having any less sex with her.

- Jon Legg, Normal, IL, Esquire, January 2006

Keeping Your Mouth Shut

"Never pass up an opportunity to keep your mouth shut."

- Ryan Lamagna, Chesapeake, VA, Esquire, January 2006

A Free Person

No drives, no compulsions
No needs, no attractions;
Then your affairs are under control.
You are a free person.

- Chuang Tzu, Taoist sage

Pleasure and Bliss

There is pleasure.
There is bliss.
Forgo the first to possess the second.

- Buddha

Hallowed Acts

Any natural act, if hallowed, leads to God.

- Jewish teaching

Silence of the Heart

It is in the silence of the heart that God speaks.

- Mother Teresa

Never Confuse a Memo With Reality

15. Don’t promise what you can’t deliver.
18. Never miss deadlines. Ever.
35. As Henry Ford II said, “Never complain, never explain.” Be courageous in your business perspectives.
50. If you’re going to complain about something, have a solution in mind and make clear what you want.
57. Develop a high tolerance for ambiguity – you’ll be more satisfied.
67. Understand the skills and abilities that differentiate you from everyone else. Whenever you have the opportunity, use them.
70. Long hours don’t mean anything – results count, not effort.

-Richard A. Moran

What We Choose to Do

“What happens to us in life is not nearly as important as what we choose to do with those events and experiences.”

- Dr. Harold D. Jester from “Pulling Together”

Trust

“We trust you until you prove us wrong.”

- Richter House of St. John's

Knowledge

“Knowledge is what makes you happy in the event of a disaster.”

- Avery Brooks

Helping Them

“Helping them is more important than how we feel.”

-- Dr. Greene to Carter, who was despondent about how a case ended, ER

The Way Life Is

“Life is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes a difference.”

- Virginia Satir