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WITandWISDOM(tm) - September 26, 2000 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: I can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through - then follow through. - Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker Source: The Funnies, andychaps_the-funnies- subscribe@egroups.com via http://www.witandwisdom.org ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the famous 19th-century poet and artist, was once approached by an elderly man. The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they, at least, showed potential talent. Rossetti looked them over carefully. After the first few he knew that they were worthless, showing not the least sign of artistic talent. But Rossetti was a kind man and he told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man. The visitor was disappointed, but seemed to expect Rossetti's judgment. He then apologized for taking up Rossetti's time, but would he just look at a few more drawings - these done by a young art student? Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately enthused over the talent they revealed. "These," he said, "ah, these are good. This young man, whoever he is, has great talent. He should be given every help and encouragement in his career as an artist. He has a great future, if he will work hard and stick with it." Rossetti could see that the old fellow was deeply moved. "Who is this fine young artist?" he asked. "Your son?" "No," said the old fellow sadly. "It is me - 40 years ago. If only I heard your praise then . . . for you see, I got discouraged and gave up - too soon." Source: Bits & Pieces, March 30, 1995, Copyright (c) Economic Press - www.epinc.com/ via http://www.witandwisdom.org ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: IN MY DAY Part 2 of 2 [Sep 15, 26] The Washington Post had a contest wherein participants were asked to tell the younger generation how much harder they had it in the old days. Kids today think the world revolves around them. In my day, the sun revolved around the world, and the world was perched on the back of a giant tortoise. Back in my day, '60 Minutes' wasn't just a bunch of gray-haired liberal 80-year-old guys. It was a bunch of gray- haired liberal 60-year-old guys. In my day, we didn't have virtual reality. If a one-eyed razorback barbarian warrior was chasing you with an ax, you just had to hope you could outrun him. Back in my day they had not invented electricity. We had to watch television by candlelight. In my day, we didn't have mouses to move the cursor around. We only had the arrows, and if the up arrow was broken and you needed to get to the top of the screen, well, you just hit the left arrow a thousand times. (Kevin Cuddihy, Fairfax) In my day, we didn't have fancy high numbers. We had "nothing," "one," "twain" and "multitudes." (Elden Carnahan, Laurel) In my day, we didn't have days. There was only "time for work," "time for pray" and "time for sleep." The sheriff would go around and tell everyone when to change. (Elden Carnahan, Laurel) In my day, people could only dream of hitchhiking a ride on a comet. (David Ronka, Charlottesville) In my day, we didn't have dogs or cats. All I had was Silver Beauty, my beloved paper clip. (Jennifer Hart, Arlington) Submitted by Jo Walters via http://www.witandwisdom.org ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: A Thai monk after being asked his mission in life responded: "We intercede on behalf of all mankind. Then we do laundry." Source: This Day's Thought www.ThisDaysThought.listbot.com via http://www.witandwisdom.org ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: A physician who has a practice in an affluent area of St. Louis discovered at the end of the year that several of his patients had not paid their bills for as long as fourteen months. During the holidays he sent each of them a letter canceling the bill with a personal handwritten note that read: "I am very sorry that you had such a poor year. I wish you and yours the very best for the coming New Year." Thirteen out of the fourteen paid within one week by return mail. By Neil Eskelin in Neil Eskelin's Daily Jump Start(tm), Copyright (c) 2000, www.neileskelin.com via http://www.witandwisdom.org |