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WIT & WISDOM - November 4, 1998 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: Failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying. - B. F. Skinner [1] ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: A leading actor was honored at a banquet. In the after dinner ceremonies the actor was asked to recite for the pleasure of his guest. He consented, and asked if there was anything special anyone in the audience would like to hear. There was a moment's pause, and then an old clergyman spoke up. "Could you, sir," he said, "recite the twenty-third Psalm?" A strange look came over the actor's face, but he was speechless only for a moment. "I can sir - and I will, on one condition, and that is that after I have recited, you, my friend will do the same." "I?" replied the surprised clergyman; "but I am not an elocutionist. However, if you wish, I will do so." Impressively the actor began the Psalm, holding his audience spellbound. As he finished, a great burst of applause broke from the guest. After the applause had ceased, the old clergyman arose. The audience sat in intense silence. The Psalm was recited, and when it was done, there was not the slightest ripple of applause, but those in the audience who's eyes were yet dry had their heads bowed. The great actor, with hand on the shoulder of the old clergyman, his voice trembling, exclaimed, "I reached your eyes and ears, my friends, this man reached your hearts. I know the twenty-third Psalm, this man knows the Shepherd." - THE DIFFERENCE, Treasury of Inspiration, Page 112, by Herbert V. Prochnow [2] ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: BUMPER STICKER PHILOSOPHY Two wrongs don't make a right, but two Wrights made an airplane. It's not the pace of life that concerns me, it's the sudden stop at the end. Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun. The only time the world beats a path to your door is if you're in the bathroom. Never knock on Death's door; ring the doorbell and run (he hates that). When you're finally holding all the cards, why does everyone else decide to play chess? [3] ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: Snapple Iced tea just came to Australia after a phenomenal success in the USA. The advertising billboards read: "Drink Snapple -- Tested on Americans" [4] ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: In 1863, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea for a spectacular bridge that would span the river tying Manhattan Island to Brooklyn. However, bridge-building experts throughout the world told him to forget it; it could not be done. Roebling convinced his son, Washington, who was a young and up- coming engineer, that the bridge could be built. The two of them developed the concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With un-harnessed excitement and inspiration, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge. The project was only a few months under construction when a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling and severely injured his son, Washington. Washington was left with permanent brain damage and was unable to talk or walk. Everyone felt that the project would have to be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. Even though Washington was unable to move or talk, his mind was as sharp as ever, and he still had a burning desire to complete the bridge. An idea hit him as he lay in his hospital bed, and he developed a code for communication. All he could move was one finger, so he touched the arm of his wife with that finger, tapping out the code to communicate to her what to tell the engineers who were building the bridge. For thirteen years, Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger until the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge was finally completed. [5] Reference: http://www.discovery-press.com/success101/1997spring. htm#Building of the Brooklyn Bridge ~~~~~~~ CONTRIBUTORS: [1] (INSPIRE http://www.infoadvn.com/inspire/) [2] (Patty Patterson) [3] (Merry-Hearts Merry-Hearts@xc.org) [4] (Yaacov Haber via Keith's Mostly Clean Humor KSullivan@worldnet.att.net) [5] (Louise Maxwell) |