HELPING OTHERS

To infuse the familiar with freshness is a gift of grace and a mark of genius.

Helping others nurtures success. You must be able to do this or your influence will fade. It's not enough to impress others with your knowledge. On the contrary, you must help them benefit from it. If you can show them how to achieve their greatness, you secure your own.

Work, Why?

Work if you must, but don't if you can.

I refuse to work overtime. I have now for the last 12 years. In fact I seldom get forty hours. After 35 I don't care. It's not that I can't use the money. I just don't have the time. I'd rather spend my extra hours writing than working. Besides, I seldom receive adequate return. So, I'm content with 35. My boss doesn't like it; but before he finds out I've begun a new week with a new warning, "Get 40 this time." (9/12/00)

FINDING COURAGE

Without courage counsel fails.

Cowards complain about circumstances they tolerate. Favorably placed, however, they believe that they could prosper. No doubt they could. Properly planted, each of us could excel. But what cowards forget is that favorable circumstances stem from courage. It's a matter of making a miracle from a mess. Yet without courage circumstances swallow.

If, however, they actualized even one of their ideas they would create favorable conditions. Eventually, they could transform their greatest tragedy. Of course they believe that courage will help others but not themselves. Deceived by circumstances, they forfeit this grace. Strangers pity their plight and friends frustrate themselves trying to console. They forget, however, that without courage counsel fails. (9/6/00)

DOES IT REALLY MATTER

When at work I'm aware that I'm not doing anything. I mingle with coworkers and carryout management concerns, but still feel that nothing is being accomplished. I cash my check and complete my responsibilities, but still, I'm doing nothing. The people are pleasant, the facilities decent, yet I'm not doing anything. Even the conversations corrupt. Most are so empty that they leave me angry. I watch people work and wonder, "Why are we here?"

I'm grateful for the work but still don't believe that I am doing anything. The moment I exit my car and enter the building I'm immediately reminded of my idleness. By nine o'clock I'm clueless. Then I become distant and dysfunctional, walking in circles and talking out of sequence. My thoughts become antagonistic to the environment. My only remedy for this malady is solitude, without which I would explode. During these times, I go inside myself for sustenance. Afterwards I emerge refreshed, revived and committed to leaving. (9/6/00)