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WITandWISDOM(tm) - July 1, 2002 ISSN 1538-8794 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: To be popular, be both tactful and truthful. - Author Unknown Subjects: Popular ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: Ben placed his pen down on the desk and looked over at his wife, Jan, satisfied. They had just spent a day together reviewing the last year and planning for the next one. This annual tradition had been developed over the past several years. It was a way for them to feel that their lives had some direction, some purpose. Before they had begun setting goals together, life had been chaotic. Ben had been controlling and impulsive. They hadn't been able to save much money because of his spending habits. Though she was good with money, Jan had been compliant and nonconfrontive. So the more Ben spent, the more she withdrew and busied herself outside the house in volunteer missions. Finally, after a great deal boundary work with a marriage therapist, Jan began setting limits on Ben's out-of-control behavior. She became more honest, less blaming, and much less resentful. Ben, in his turn, began developing more of a sense of responsibility toward the family. He even felt more tender toward his wife - even after she nailed him to the wall several times about his irresponsibility! Ben smiled. "Honey," he said to her, "this last year has been a one-hundred-eighty degree change from the one before. We saved some money. We achieved some financial goals. We're more honest with each other. We like each other better. And you're not running off helping every committee in town who needs a volunteer!" Jan responded, "Well, I don't need to anymore. I've got what I want here, with you, the kids, our church support group, and the ministries we work in. Tell you what. Let's plan what we want to do - with ourselves, with the Lord, with our money, and with our friends - and make next year even better!" Boundaries: When to Say Yes-When to Say No-To Take Control of Your Life, By Cloud, Henry; Townsend, John, Published by Zondervan (Jan 1, 1999), ISBN: 0310224535 http://isbn.nu/0310224535 Subjects: Planning, Boundaries ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: WHAT THE ENGINEER SAYS (What it really means) A number of different approaches are being tried. (We are still grasping at straws.) We're working on a fresh approach to the problem. (We just hired three kids fresh out of college.) Major technological break through. (It works OK, but looks very hi-tech.) Customer satisfaction upon delivery is assured. (We are so far behind schedule the customer is happy to get it delivered.) Preliminary operational tests were inconclusive. (The darn thing blew up when we threw the switch.) Test results were extremely gratifying. (We are so surprised that the thing works.) The entire concept will have to be abandoned. (The only person who understood the thing quit.) It is in process. (It is so wrapped up in red tape that the situation is about hopeless.) All new! (Parts not interchangeable with the previous design.) Rugged (Too heavy to lift!) Lightweight (Lighter than rugged.) Years of development (One finally worked.) Low maintenance (Impossible to fix if broken.) Source: Clean Hewmor, http://associate.com/lists.shtml Subjects: Definitions, Language, Parody ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: Weather, n. The climate of the hour. A permanent topic of conversation among persons whom it does not interest, but who have inherited the tendency to chatter about it from naked arboreal ancestors whom it keenly concerned. - Ambrose Bierce Source: Peter's Pearls, http://www.peterspearls.com.au Subjects: Definitions, Weather ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: I had just driven 70 miles to work in my new pickup. After pulling into a parking space, I hit the automatic locks and slammed the door - then I noticed my keys on the front seat. Not wanting to pay a locksmith, I called my wife and asked her to make a photocopy of my spare key and fax it to me. Meanwhile, I purchased a key blank. When the fax arrived, I cut out the picture of the key, glued it to the key blank and, with a file, proceeded to cut a new key. Fifteen minutes later I had the truck door open. - A. C. HILL Source: Reader's Digest, Copyright (c) October 1999, http://www.readersdigest.com Subjects: Keys, Locks |