To counteract the ill effects of the day, if you believe any of that stuff... I came across this little activity to uplift
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
I know one isn't me!... I'd be guessing with Bill Gates and Oprah..?
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
I'm not even sure what you win a Heisman for...
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
uuuuhhh.... I'm sure they were lovely....
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
Our name is misspelled this way so frequently I should just put my name! I actually know what these are awarded for... Nobel for Science and Pulitzer for journalistic achievements. So without googling though I can only come up with one for each prize. Marie Curie for Penicillin, and Robert Frost for poetry.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
I actually caught something this year that gives me an edge on this otherwise I wouldn't have a clue. They were on Oprah and made a big deal about how some previous winners spoke to the winner this year! ... Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, Sophia Loren, Halle Berry, Michael Douglas, Robert DiNero, Anthony Hopkins. Of course this might have been the oscars.. what do I know?
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
I'm going out on a limb here... I think this would be baseball.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
Mrs. Glue, Mrs. Fairburn, Miss McCorkel, Miss Meikel, Mr. Popoff, Mme. Carlson, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Tschritter, Mr. Hutchings, Miss McKee, Mr. Jones...
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
First of all, only three?, and what difficult times... I live a charmed life!... Jessica, JoLyn, Genevieve
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
Kelly, Gen, Mum, Janet, Julie, Marla, Amber, Becky, .. oops more than 5..
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
Laurie, Kris, Linda, Peggy, Jeanette, Gen, Kelly, who am I kidding... this list could go on forever..
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Duncan, Miles, Sarah, Caleb and ... ummm, oh... what's his name... Patrick
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care.
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." (Charles Schultz)
Showing posts with label perspective. Show all posts
Showing posts with label perspective. Show all posts
My olympic event!
I'm going for the gold. The event... well it's not an Olympic event... yet!... maybe one day...
But it really is appropriate for the Beijing games. I refer to it as the Chinese holiday. I've been referring to it this way for some time.... The gist of it is based on a story.. I always thought the story was a Chinese proverb... but boy was I wrong... it is a Jewish folktale... but China likely has a similar one... the point is... it's my Olympic event, anyway... here is the story It could be Worse!
So... my version for the purpose of the Olympics is, have as many vacations as you can... do as many projects as you can... have as many house guests as you can... still try to keep up with the crazy life you already live.... and do it all within one summer ... by the end of the Olympics when you are done traveling and everyone extra has gone home you are pleasantly surprised with how calm and simple your own life truly is!.... for as long as that feeling lasts.....
But it really is appropriate for the Beijing games. I refer to it as the Chinese holiday. I've been referring to it this way for some time.... The gist of it is based on a story.. I always thought the story was a Chinese proverb... but boy was I wrong... it is a Jewish folktale... but China likely has a similar one... the point is... it's my Olympic event, anyway... here is the story It could be Worse!
Once there was a poor Jewish man who had come to the end of his rope.So he went to his Rabbi for advice.
"Holy Rabbi!" he cried. "Things are in a bad way with me, and are getting worse all the time! We are poor, so poor, that my wife, my six children, my in-laws and I have to live in a one room hut. We get in each other's way all the time. Our nerves are frayed and, because we have plenty of troubles, we quarrel. Believe me--my home is awful and I'd sooner die than continue living this way!"
The Rabbi pondered the matter gravely. "My son," he said ,"promise to do as I tell you and your condition will improve."
"I promise, Rabbi," answered the troubled man. "I'll do anything you say"
"Tell me--what animals do you own?"
"I have a cow, a goat, and some chickens."
"Very well! Go home now and take all these animals in your house to live with you."
The poor man was dumbfounded, but since he had promised the Rabbi, he went home and brought all the animals into his house.
The following day the poor man returned to the Rabbi and cried, "Rabbi, what misfortune you have brought upon me! I did as you told me and brought the animals into the house. And now what have I got? Things are worse than ever! The house has turned into a barn! Save me, Rabbi--help me!"
"My son," replied the rabbi serenely, "go home and take the chickens out of your house. God will help you."
So the poor man went home and and took the chickens out of the house. But it was not long before he again came running to the rabbi.
"Holy Rabbi!" he wailed. "Help me, save me! The goat is smashing everything in the house--she's turning my life into a nightmare."
"Go home," said the rabbi gently, and take the goat out of the house. God will help you!"
The poor man returned to his house and removed the goat. But it wasn't long before he again came running to the rabbi, lamenting loudly, "What a misfortune you've brought upon my head, Rabbi! The cow turned my house into a stable! How can you expect a human being to live side by side with an animal?"
"You're right--a hundred times right!" agreed the rabbi. "Go straight home and take the cow out of your house!"
And now the poor unfortunate man hastened home and took the cow out of his house.
Not a day had passed before he came running again to the rabbi. "Rabbi!" cried the poor man, his face beaming. "You've made life sweet again for me. With all the animals out, the house is so quiet, so roomy, and so clean! What a pleasure!"
So... my version for the purpose of the Olympics is, have as many vacations as you can... do as many projects as you can... have as many house guests as you can... still try to keep up with the crazy life you already live.... and do it all within one summer ... by the end of the Olympics when you are done traveling and everyone extra has gone home you are pleasantly surprised with how calm and simple your own life truly is!.... for as long as that feeling lasts.....
Pioneer day at the ranch
Pioneer Day found us in Wyoming at the Ranch.. They held a reenactment of the burial of thirteen pioneers who died in a single day near. Each person wrapped in a white sheet represented one of the deceased and their story was briefly told before they were buried in a circle, feet together and covered with Willow branches. It was a reenactment that really made one think of the sacrifices that were made to have a new home in such a difficult time and place. I had helped to get ready that day by making salads and chopping fruit and wasn't really aware until we were seated on our blanket in the yard to watch the reenactment that Patrick and then Caleb were participating as some of the deceased.
WILLIE'S HANDCART COMPANY. Captain James G. Willie's handcart company of Mormon emigrants on the way to Utah, greatly exhausted by the deep snows of an early winter and suffering from lack of food and clothing, had assembled here for reorganization by relief parties from Utah, about the end of October, 1856. Thirteen persons were frozen to death during a single night and were buried here in one grave. Two others died the next day and were buried near by. Of the company of 404 persons 77 perished before help arrived. The survivors reached Salt Lake City November 9, 1856.
On a side note... Cooper and Derek won't be invited for any Pioneer Day reenactments anytime soon... since of the large gathering of people, many of them with children... only two could be heard incessantly chattering and carrying on..... the whole thing was only 45 minutes... but they had a million things to discuss and argue about and constantly move to sit on one mummy's lap and then another.... Other than the two "unnamed" disturbances... it was a very reverent and emotional reenactment.
WILLIE'S HANDCART COMPANY. Captain James G. Willie's handcart company of Mormon emigrants on the way to Utah, greatly exhausted by the deep snows of an early winter and suffering from lack of food and clothing, had assembled here for reorganization by relief parties from Utah, about the end of October, 1856. Thirteen persons were frozen to death during a single night and were buried here in one grave. Two others died the next day and were buried near by. Of the company of 404 persons 77 perished before help arrived. The survivors reached Salt Lake City November 9, 1856.
On a side note... Cooper and Derek won't be invited for any Pioneer Day reenactments anytime soon... since of the large gathering of people, many of them with children... only two could be heard incessantly chattering and carrying on..... the whole thing was only 45 minutes... but they had a million things to discuss and argue about and constantly move to sit on one mummy's lap and then another.... Other than the two "unnamed" disturbances... it was a very reverent and emotional reenactment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)