Prior Date

Archive Index

Next Date

WITandWISDOM(tm) - August 23, 2006 ISSN 1538-8794 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. - C. S. Lewis Submitted by Barbara Weymouth ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: In his autobiography, Breaking Barriers, syndicated columnist Carl Rowan tells about a teacher who greatly influenced his life. Rowan relates: Miss Thompson reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a piece of paper containing a quote attributed to Chicago architect Daniel Burnham. I listened intently as she read: “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans, aim high in hope and work. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us.” More than 30 years later, I gave a speech in which I said that Frances Thompson had given me a desperately needed belief in myself. A newspaper printed the story, and someone mailed the clipping to my beloved teacher. She wrote me: "You have no idea what that newspaper story meant to me. For years, I endured my brother’s arguments that I had wasted my life. That I should have married and had a family. When I read that you gave me credit for helping to launch a marvelous career, I put the clipping in front of my brother. After he’d read it, I said, ‘You see, I didn’t really waste my life, did I?’” Encouragement and praise is like a boomerang; the more you give it, the more it wants to return. It’s really just a matter of knowing this that can make all the difference not only in your life but in the lives of those around you. Not that we live for praise ourselves. Rather, the more satisfaction we have in giving merely serves to fuel our desire to keep it coming. Find someone today who needs your encouragement, a little appreciation. Let your praise fly and then step back. You’ll want to be ready to catch it on the rebound. From: Carl Rowan, Breaking Barriers, Little, Brown, Quoted in Reader’s Digest, January 1992, http://isbn.nu/0060974478 Source: SermonCentral Weekly Newsletter, http://www.sermoncentral.com/newsletter_subscribe.asp ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: A DOG'S DIARY 7 am - Oh boy! A walk! My favourite! 8 am - Oh boy! Dog food! My favourite! 9 am - Oh boy! The kids! My favourite! Noon - Oh boy! The yard! My favourite! 2 pm - Oh boy! A car ride! My favourite! 3 pm - Oh boy! The kids! My favourite! 4 pm - Oh boy! Playing ball! My favourite! 6 pm - Oh boy! Welcome home Mom! My favourite! 7 pm - Oh boy! Welcome home Dad! My favourite! 8 pm - Oh boy! Dog food! My favourite! 9 pm - Oh boy! Tummy rubs on the couch! My favourite! 11 pm - Oh boy! Sleeping in my people's bed! My favourite! A CAT'S DIARY Day 183 of my captivity. My captors continued to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from clawing the furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another house plant. Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded. Maybe I should try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favourite chair. I must try this on their bed. Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body in an attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little kitty cat I was. This is not working according to plan. There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary confinement throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the food. More important, I overheard that my confinement was due to my powers of inducing something called "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage. I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird, on the other hand, has got to be an informant. He speaks with them regularly, and I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. But I can wait. It's only a matter of time. Submitted by Mark Burrows ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: Scientists were excited this week at having isolated a brief sound which occurred immediately before the Big Bang. Apparently, that sound was "OOOPS! Source: Monday Fodder mailto:daveaufrance@gmail.com?Subject=Subscribe_Monday_Fodder http://www.fishermansnet.com/monday-fodder/ ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: On average, it takes 15 minutes from the time a Mustang reaches a dealership until it is driven away by its new owner. Source: BBC's "Top Gear" Submitted by Udi Latarre