tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54144354125362374502024-03-12T22:27:26.328-04:00Scott Farnsworth SunBridgeScott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.comBlogger252125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-3856404862591734012021-12-15T04:00:00.001-05:002021-12-15T04:00:00.160-05:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Christmas is About Jesus Christ<p> <b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST</span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">“The Son of God became a man to
enable men to become sons of God.” </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify;">C. S. Lewis</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpWWQsLxYrbOk2ocI_LzdUvJoE5CrYWaur15dWoE1udvreDmuzTEcSRgbGiXHOAPh9a0Y0FsYSnWXxRMmjqJvW6tUjl8bj7m8jw9MfmJ0va0BVDBuv0slEf7uzIQ2oqFOPueOilKuoGscxhpIs5sRhV7hTj7vcH_4DyK7_8ocZLVAOfst6aFesX6R7=s1140" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1140" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpWWQsLxYrbOk2ocI_LzdUvJoE5CrYWaur15dWoE1udvreDmuzTEcSRgbGiXHOAPh9a0Y0FsYSnWXxRMmjqJvW6tUjl8bj7m8jw9MfmJ0va0BVDBuv0slEf7uzIQ2oqFOPueOilKuoGscxhpIs5sRhV7hTj7vcH_4DyK7_8ocZLVAOfst6aFesX6R7=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">Some say
disruptions in the supply chain are likely to ruin many people’s Christmas this
year.</span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">I say
Christmas is about Jesus Christ, the Babe of Bethlehem. If someone experiences disruptions in the
supply chain that really matters, the supply chain between themselves and Jesus
Christ, it has nothing to do with China, container ships, longshoremen, and
truck drivers. It has everything to do
with their faith in Jesus Christ and their belief in the word of God found in
the Holy Scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">Some say
Christmas is about finding the perfect gifts to give, and making sure every
item on the recipients’ wish lists is checked off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">I say Jesus
Christ is the Perfect Gift Giver, and He gives all of us eternal and exquisite
gifts. Ultimately, every lasting gift
comes from Him. He has given us the gift
of the Resurrection, meaning we shall not remain in the grave but shall live
again on that great and glorious day when He returns, King of kings and Lord of
lords. He gives us the gift of
Repentance, that by turning away from sin and turning to Him and relying on His
mercy and grace, we may be cleansed and abide forever with Him in paradise. Through
His Atonement, He also offers us the gifts of rest, relief, respite, reprieve,
and reinforcement, so that in our hour of greatest sorrow, pain, loneliness, grief,
betrayal, doubt, and suffering, we can turn to Him and find comfort. He knows firsthand
and thus understands our anguish, because He has “been there and done that”
personally and in the flesh. As Isaiah
described him, “<i>He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and
acquainted with grief</i>.” Isaiah 53: 3. He Himself descended below all things and
experienced the greatest agony possible, in order that He can succor and shield
His followers in love and perfect empathy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">Some say “there
is no peace on earth, for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth,
good will to man.” (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, <i>I Heard the Bells on
Christmas Day)<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">I say God
is not dead nor does He sleep. In the
end, the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, and — as the angels promised on
that sacred night — we shall enjoy peace on earth, good will to men. The peace of Christ, which peace passes all
understanding, is not peace as the world giveth but is the peace that comes
from Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.
The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness and faith.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">I wish to
here declare, without caveat or condition, that I believe in Jesus Christ. He is my King, my Lord, my Savior and
Redeemer. Before He was born, He created
this world and reigned in the heavens with our Heavenly Father, yet He condescended
to be born in the lowliest of human conditions.
On earth, He healed the sick, raised the dead, gave sight to the blind,
and caused the lame to walk. He taught
His gospel and invited all to experience true joy by following His divine
teachings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">In
Gethsemane He paid the price for the sins of all the world; on Calvary He gave
up his life on a cruel and painful cross; and then on Easter Morning, He arose
from the tomb to take His rightful place in the heavens on His eternal throne on
the right hand of God the Father. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">He lives
today. He invites each one of us, this
Christmas season and always, to</span> “<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">Come unto
me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I
am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">.” Matthew 11: 28-29 <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">Jesus
Christ is a God of truth who fulfills His promises; thus, I know that He will
keep his word.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">I express
my love to each of you from me and my family, and I wish you a Merry Christmas,
filled with the pure love of the Savior, Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">* * * * *</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">THIS
ARTICLE CONSTITUTES MY FINAL “WEDNESDAY WISDOM.” This feels like the
appropriate time to bring this chapter of my professional life to a close. I
have enjoyed writing these essays over the years; I hope some of them have been
meaningful to you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #38761d;">If you are
worried about not being able to get your regular “Wednesday Wisdom” fix, here
is some good news. I have gathered my
many articles into a 515-page book entitled <b><i>WEDNESDAY WISDOM — Collected Essays of Scott Farnsworth,
2008-2021</i></b><i>. </i>This volume
includes a Professional Essays Addendum of nearly 100 pages written primarily
for legal, financial, and philanthropic advisors. This book is available on Amazon in either of
two versions: one with color pictures for $35 and another with black-and-white
pictures for $20. Here are the links in
case you are interested.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Color edition: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVVTBM/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Wednesday+Wisdom+color+edition+book&qid=1638966881&sr=8-3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYVVTBM/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Wednesday+Wisdom+color+edition+book&qid=1638966881&sr=8-3</span></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Black and white edition:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYRFXJC/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Wednesday+Wisdom+book&qid=1638967043&sr=8-4"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYRFXJC/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Wednesday+Wisdom+book&qid=1638967043&sr=8-4</span></span></a></span>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-74390369280668941462021-11-24T04:00:00.001-05:002021-11-24T04:00:00.160-05:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: I Pray for a Grateful Heart<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="background-color: #a6e1ea; border-collapse: collapse; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="x_article x_editor-col x_OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="x_gl-contains-text" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="x_editor-text x_center x_headline-text" style="color: #ee5624; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><div class="x_text-container x_galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div align="left" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I PRAY FOR A GRATEFUL HEART</span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="x_gl-contains-text" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="x_editor-text" style="display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div class="x_text-container x_galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"May your stuffing be tasty</span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">May your turkey be plump,</span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">May your potatoes and gravy</span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Have nary a lump.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">May your yams be delicious</span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And your pies take the prize,</span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And your Thanksgiving dinner</span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stay off your thighs!" </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Anonymous</span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="x_gl-contains-divider" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_editor-divider" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="" valign="top"><table class="x_galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; 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color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div class="x_text-container x_galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We clearly live in a land of super-abundance when we need to wish that our Thanksgiving dinners stay off of our thighs. How fortunate we are as Americans that we can set aside this day as a time of appreciation and togetherness!</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I love Thanksgiving because it reminds me to give thanks and to count my blessings. When I do so, when I realize how blessed I am, so many of my worries and troubles suddenly become so small. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect upon our present blessings — of which we all have many — and not on our past misfortunes, of which we all have some. “The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us.” James E. Faust</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This Thanksgiving season, I am praying for a grateful heart. I believe gratitude is a gift from God. With gratitude, we are able to experience everything around us, and even life itself, as a blessing. </span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When we have a grateful heart, it liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation. I’ve long observed that a man all wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small bundle; the antidote is to seek and exercise the gift of gratitude.</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Johannes A. Gaertner observed: “To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.” With gratitude, we are able to love what we have. When we love what we have, we have everything we need. We have enough and to spare. </span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gratitude and Thanksgiving fit together. “Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse,” wrote Henry Van Dyke. I pray that we can act on that impulse, not merely for a season, but all year. </span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">May we give thanks on Thanksgiving Day and every day of our lives. May we appreciate and never take for granted all that we have. May we be blessed with a grateful heart.</span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-27856893816121676872021-11-03T04:00:00.001-04:002021-11-03T04:00:00.161-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Always and Forever<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="background-color: #a6e1ea; border-collapse: collapse; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="x_article x_editor-col x_OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="x_gl-contains-text" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="x_editor-text x_center x_headline-text" style="color: #ee5624; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><div class="x_text-container x_galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div align="left" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ALWAYS AND FOREVER</span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="x_gl-contains-text" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="x_editor-text" style="display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div class="x_text-container x_galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"And because he loved her, it wouldn't matter that she wasn't twenty-two or thirty or forty anymore. In his eyes she was truly the most beautiful woman in the world. That thought brought tears to his eyes. A sucker for love indeed." </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kristan Higgins</span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="x_gl-contains-divider" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_editor-divider" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="" valign="top"><table class="x_galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="x_divider-base x_divider-solid" style="padding: 9px 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; height: 1px; min-width: 93%; table-layout: fixed; width: 585.891px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#A6E1EA" height="1" style="border-bottom-style: none; height: 1px; line-height: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" data-imagetype="External" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/S.gif" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; height: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="x_gl-contains-image" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_editor-image x_content-image x_editor-image-hspace-on" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="padding: 0px 20px;" valign="top"><div class="x_publish-container" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="" data-imagetype="External" hspace="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/fad8e9d6001/a62e34ce-e5e4-4bd4-ab35-49789f28a6be.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" vspace="0" width="447" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="background-color: #a6e1ea; border-collapse: collapse; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="x_editor-col x_OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="x_gl-contains-text" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="x_editor-text x_editor-text" style="display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div class="x_text-container x_galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We were both 23 when we met, fell in love, and got married. Now Marcie is turning 70 and I’ll follow suit exactly six months later. </span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Last August 19 marked 46 years of being married. My love for my sweetheart has never waned; it is far deeper today than the first time I laid eyes on her as she was teaching Sunday School. In that moment, I was immediately and eternally smitten.</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Together we have birthed, raised, and sent into the world six marvelous and talented children. We have lived in six different states, traveled to several different countries, and shared many delightful experiences. I have had consistent and heart-felt joy during this journey, largely because of my partner and traveling companion, Marcie.</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Five years ago, I wrote a Wednesday Wisdom article that remains my favorite. The title was </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Falling in Love 14,975 Times. </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I think it bears repeating here as we look forward into our 70s and 80s to the next stage of our sojourn. Here is what I wrote then:</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, and always with the same person.” </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mignon McLaughlin</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="background-color: #a6e1ea; border-collapse: collapse; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="x_editor-col x_OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="x_gl-contains-image" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_editor-image x_editor-image x_editor-image-vspace-on" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><div class="x_publish-container" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="" data-imagetype="External" hspace="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/fad8e9d6001/aa894537-c855-4368-8eb2-a07b0863b55c.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; height: auto !important; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" vspace="0" width="452" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="background-color: #a6e1ea; border-collapse: collapse; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="x_editor-col x_OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="x_gl-contains-text" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="x_editor-text x_editor-text" style="display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div class="x_text-container x_galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On Friday, Marcie and I will be married — happily, peacefully, blissfully — for 41 years. So how did it happen that two very different and imperfect people could live in love and harmony for 14,975 days?</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Happen” is probably the wrong word, because it was not happenstance. As Paul H. Dunn once said, “When you see someone standing on a mountain top, it’s quite likely they didn’t fall there.” Besides choosing wisely and prayerfully in the first place, we consciously applied </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">a few bedrock principles</span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> in our marriage that have fostered a sweet and tender atmosphere all these years. I’m not sure if these would work as well in other people’s marriages, but they have worked for us.</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">First, we were “all in” from day one. We chose, at no small sacrifice, to be married not just “as long as you both shall live,” but for this life and for all eternity. </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We saw our marriage as sacred and forever.</span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> That meant no going back, no bailing out, no hanging it up if things were harder than expected. In our hearts and minds, there was no running home to mama, no “try it and see if you like it,” no swapping partners if this doesn’t work out. We determined up front that we were eternally committed to each other and our marriage, and that we would treat it and each other accordingly.</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Next, I recognized early in our marriage that </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">my own happiness is inextricably bound to Marcie’s happiness.</span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> In a paradoxical blend of selflessness and selfishness, the more I seek to assure Marcie’s happiness, the more happiness I find for myself. But it must be done in that order. Deep and abiding happiness does not result from pursuing your own happiness directly. Instead, it is a natural byproduct of seeking the well-being of those you love. Happiness is like a butterfly. The harder you chase it, the more it eludes you; but when you decide to promote your spouse’s happiness first, it comes to you of its own accord. Once I understood this principle, it was not hard to live “happily ever after.”</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Finally, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">we have disagreed agreeably</span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">. When differences of opinion arise — and they will — there is a right way and a wrong way to handle them. There is no place in marriage for disrespect, sarcasm, anger, arrogance, bullying, belittlement, pettiness, rancor, rolled eyes, cold shoulders, or the silent treatment. Hello?!?! This is your lover and your best friend! Disagreements call for patient listening, genuine and generous attention, an earnest desire to understand the other’s point of view, and a healthy dose of flexibility. With these and a commitment to seek win/win outcomes, we have successfully navigated our differences. </span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Here’s to you, Marcie, for 14,975 wonderful, amazing days and nights, and a million, zillion more!</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">* * * * *</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">By the time she celebrates her 70</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 0;">th</sup><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> birthday on November 14, 2021, the tally on our time together will be 16,889 days and nights. I will love her even more then than I do now, and the same will be true with each passing day, week, month, and year. As Nenia Campbell wrote, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I don’t know how many nights remain to us, but I know I want to spend them all with you.”</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In contemplating this subject, I ran across two additional quotes that I fully agree with. Michael Bassey Johnson said, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Sticking to one person for a lifetime is not a waste of time or lack of better ones, it means you've found your place of eternity.”</span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> This is so true! She — or better said, we, together, side by side — is MY place of eternity.</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The other quote is from Nehali Lalwant: </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“They say that nothing lasts forever, but I am a firm believer in the fact that for some, love lives on even after we’re gone.”</span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I am a firm believer that loving marriages and families can be forever. Our eternal love is based on sacred covenants made in the House of the Lord. Through the unparalleled suffering and resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we will live forever, and through His matchless power and grace, so will our marriage and our family.</span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Building and nourishing our relationship is without a doubt the most valuable and delightful thing I have ever done. It is the success of which I am most proud. And it will ever remain so, always and forever. Marcie, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“the only magic I ever really made was the love I had with you.” </span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Eden Butler</span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-30869148038722229862021-10-13T04:00:00.001-04:002021-10-13T04:00:00.175-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: "Low Battery"<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7806768845galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="background-color: #a6e1ea; border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="yiv7806768845article yiv7806768845editor-col yiv7806768845OneColumnMobile" style="outline: none;" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="yiv7806768845gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="yiv7806768845editor-text " style="display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div class="yiv7806768845text-container yiv7806768845galileo-ap-content-editor"><span style="color: #f95007; font-size: large;"><b>"LOW BATTERY"</b></span></div><div class="yiv7806768845text-container yiv7806768845galileo-ap-content-editor"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="yiv7806768845text-container yiv7806768845galileo-ap-content-editor"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="yiv7806768845text-container yiv7806768845galileo-ap-content-editor" style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 18px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"When hearing aids were first mentioned, I pictured myself as that old geezer at the back of the church with the whistling ear trumpet." </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">Roger Taylor</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="yiv7806768845gl-contains-divider"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7806768845editor-divider" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="yiv7806768845" style="outline: none;" valign="top"><table class="yiv7806768845galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; cursor: default; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="yiv7806768845divider-base yiv7806768845divider-solid" style="outline: none; padding: 9px 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-height: 1px; min-width: 93%; table-layout: fixed; width: 585.891px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#A6E1EA" height="1" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; line-height: 1px; min-height: 1px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimgssl.constantcontact.com%2Fletters%2Fimages%2F1101116784221%2FS.gif&t=1634093091&ymreqid=243a8f41-cdb9-e132-2f2c-5a000d01c100&sig=jJyZiPGzctcx31.Sce4N3g--~D" style="display: block; min-height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="yiv7806768845gl-contains-image"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7806768845editor-image yiv7806768845content-image yiv7806768845editor-image-hspace-on" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="outline: none; padding: 0px 20px;" valign="top"><div class="yiv7806768845publish-container"><img alt="" border="0" class="yiv7806768845" hspace="0" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffiles.constantcontact.com%2Ffad8e9d6001%2Fba5eb3a5-b663-4426-b7aa-fd9b36df6574.jpg&t=1634093091&ymreqid=243a8f41-cdb9-e132-2f2c-5a000d01c100&sig=zSSzih9jrmboAaiyF6VmMw--~D" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; visibility: visible;" vspace="0" width="533" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7806768845galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="background-color: #a6e1ea; border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="yiv7806768845 yiv7806768845editor-col yiv7806768845OneColumnMobile" style="outline: none;" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="yiv7806768845gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="yiv7806768845editor-text yiv7806768845editor-text " style="display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="yiv7806768845text-container yiv7806768845galileo-ap-content-editor"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I’ve been wearing hearing aids for about a year now. My son Paul, who studied audiology and hearing deficiencies in college, said hearing aids would help address my tinnitus (that constant ringing in my ears) as well as my difficulty hearing certain tones. He also presented me with studies showing that unaddressed hearing loss can lead to early dementia. It was primarily that fear that drove me to take action on this issue and sign up to wear hearing aids.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">My concerns about appearances almost kept me from taking the plunge. I think hearing aids make me look older and handicapped. While they have helped with my hearing and the tinnitus, the jury is still out on preventing early dementia. When I can’t remember someone’s name or where I left my keys, I sometimes worry that it may be creeping up on me sooner than I hoped.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">There’s one feature I do like: they warn me when I need to replace the batteries. When the power is getting low, I hear this deep, gravely male voice saying, “Low Battery.” In a few minutes, I get the message again: “Low Battery.” I’ve learned to act promptly on that message because if I don’t, my hearing aids will soon be dead.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I’ve often thought it would be helpful if I could get a “Low Battery” alert when needed for other parts of my life. For example:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;">When I’m driving on a long trip and start to get fatigued, it would be great if I got a “Low Battery” message encouraging me to pull over and rest a bit. Take time to take a nature break, stretch my legs, and grab a snack, before I resume my journey.</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;">When I’ve been putting in long hours on a grinding project and it seems that my productivity is waning and my mental acuity is fading, it would help to get a “Low Battery” warning suggesting that I’ll actually get more done if I step away from the task at hand. Try some mindless diversion and let my brain recharge, then go back to work.</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;">When I’ve been a bit casual with my prayers, my scripture reading, and my spiritual well-being, it would be uplifting to receive a “Low Battery” alarm advising me to not allow worldly cares to crowd out the things of the soul. Get back to strengthening and nourishing my inner and eternal self every day.</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;">When I’ve spent too much time focused on my own activities and haven’t given Marcie sufficient attention, it would be sweet to receive a “Low Battery” alert reminding me that my most important relationship mustn’t be ignored. Set aside my own interests and spend delightful time chatting with my wife, watching one of our favorite shows, and spending unrestricted time focused just on her.</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Yes, it would be grand to be alerted whenever I might be wandering off the path. Just a friendly little “Low Battery” warning. That would give me the chance to correct my course and keep heading in a positive direction.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Is there a piece of your life in which a “Low Battery” alert would be useful?</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-58530354579879687922021-09-15T04:30:00.004-04:002021-09-15T04:30:00.192-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: THERE'S SOMETHING MAGICAL ABOUT GRANDCHILDREN<p><span style="color: #ea4b07; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #ea4b07; font-size: large;"><b>THERE'S SOMETHING MAGICAL ABOUT GRANDCHILDREN</b></span></p><p><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></i></p><p><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">“Grandchildren
are God’s way of compensating us for growing old.”</span></b></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> -Mary H. Waldrip</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’ve enjoyed
an abundance of grandparenting blessings lately.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cko6JXnttPk/YUFx--Jr8zI/AAAAAAAAC14/QhZfbujMkkM5_B99lCmV5_fIdbHxtZHAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1315/grandkids%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1074" height="449" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cko6JXnttPk/YUFx--Jr8zI/AAAAAAAAC14/QhZfbujMkkM5_B99lCmV5_fIdbHxtZHAgCNcBGAsYHQ/w366-h449/grandkids%2B2.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our
granddaughter Sophie called while we were dealing with Covid to check on us and
to wish us a prompt recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s out
on her own now, quite grownup, so this was self-initiated, not something her
mother prompted her to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She simply
wanted to express her love and concern for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a treat to hear from her and learn about her current and future
plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her brothers Henry and Eli are
likewise thoughtful about our needs and concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i654s6x4wtw/YUFyMhIQrVI/AAAAAAAAC18/-9l3pqMIRPEAYonyiAGnIAvHjOBs64psQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1249/grandkids%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="1249" height="229" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i654s6x4wtw/YUFyMhIQrVI/AAAAAAAAC18/-9l3pqMIRPEAYonyiAGnIAvHjOBs64psQCNcBGAsYHQ/w568-h229/grandkids%2B3.jpg" width="568" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our
grandson Walker came to visit us a week ago Sunday.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">He’s completing an intensive program for
learning Italian in preparation for going to Rome as a missionary for our
church.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">He spoke in church recently and
displayed a very mature understanding of the purpose of life and an
appreciation for this grand opportunity he has to make a difference in the
world.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is so marvelous when grandchildren
grow up and we see they have their heads on straight, given all the craziness
in the world today.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Frv6UJesKg/YUFyaoSYudI/AAAAAAAAC2A/fgzpC9HwoAcM3CKL6zIHA2Gw6YAY8EmpACNcBGAsYHQ/s1221/grandkids%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1221" height="321" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Frv6UJesKg/YUFyaoSYudI/AAAAAAAAC2A/fgzpC9HwoAcM3CKL6zIHA2Gw6YAY8EmpACNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h321/grandkids%2B4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">This past
weekend I visited my four grandchildren who live in Logan, Utah, primarily to
attend Matthew’s baptism.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Afterwards, he
stood and expressed in his own words his sweet feelings in taking this
important step in his life.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I also was
able to spend delightful time with his three sisters, Daisy, Penny, and
Ella.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was wonderful to see that all
four are growing up to be helpful, caring human beings and beautiful people,
both inside and out.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbyyVs500q8/YUFykEAOm0I/AAAAAAAAC2I/3I5pPzawL-AxwUjR89eUS5cgxxiAJ5ESQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1412/grandkids%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1412" height="394" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbyyVs500q8/YUFykEAOm0I/AAAAAAAAC2I/3I5pPzawL-AxwUjR89eUS5cgxxiAJ5ESQCNcBGAsYHQ/w524-h394/grandkids%2B5.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the moment, no one knows where our grandchildren's individual journeys may take them. I think their parents are doing a great job helping them use their agency wisely, but the jury is still out. Even if some make choices that make us scratch our heads, we nevertheless love them and rejoice in our relationships with each one. They are ours and we're happy that they will be in our lives forever.</span></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">As any
grandparent knows, the best part of our role is that you can enjoy the fun and
happiness of a close relationship with little accountability for how they’re
behaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With our children, we had to
be constantly vigilant to make sure we were bringing them up right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not so with the next generation — no
micromanagement duties there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can
actually be pals with them. We can play with them and spoil them. “Being
grandparents sufficiently removes us from the responsibilities so that we can be
friends.” Allan Frome <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Someone
famously quipped that if they knew how great it was to have grandchildren
compared to the labor of raising children, they would have had grandchildren
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect, however, that it is
not the <u>ORDER</u> in which they come, but <u>OUR AGE</u> when they arrive in
our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we reach
grandparent age, we’ve mellowed and we’ve learned what really matters in
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve learned to stop sweating the
small stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Youngsters are not fundamentally
different whether they’re our children or our grandchildren; WE are different.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yes,
there’s something magical about the time we spend with grandchildren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there’s also something magical about recognizing
who we’ve become by the time we become grandparents. Being with grandchildren
allows us to discover how much WE’VE grown since we raised their parents. When
we see ourselves reflected in our grandchildren’s eyes, we like who we’ve
become.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com01750 Glen Abby Ln, Winter Haven, FL 33881, USA28.09419 -81.695567099999991-4.6777201655881164 -116.85181709999999 60.866100165588122 -46.539317099999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-5787449817160198402021-09-01T04:00:00.010-04:002021-09-01T04:00:00.203-04:00<p> </p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE VACCINE</b></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_d7WzGL51Tk/YS2gS4LG7FI/AAAAAAAAC0w/uzhfDE9vFnw9zc07-HtYKRjbUsv3H_7gwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1000/Coronavirus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_d7WzGL51Tk/YS2gS4LG7FI/AAAAAAAAC0w/uzhfDE9vFnw9zc07-HtYKRjbUsv3H_7gwCNcBGAsYHQ/w552-h310/Coronavirus.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify;">If the
Covid-19 virus were a person, he would be a shrewd and deadly enemy.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify;">Beyond his capacity to be spread by people
who have no idea they are infectious, and his ability to surreptitiously infect
and then maim or kill whoever catches it, one of his most cunning and
successful tactics was to explode upon the scene smack in the middle of one of
the most contentious and divisive election years ever.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The result
of this uncanny timing was that EVERYTHING that ANYBODY said or did to try to
address this horrible plague was doubted, ridiculed, scorned, derided,
belittled, questioned, resisted, ignored, bemocked, etc., by someone on either
side of the political divide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fight
OVER the response to the Covid seemed to far overshadow the fight WITH the Covid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows how we as a country might have
fared if we had been working together on this problem?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thus, when
I state that I’m grateful for the vaccine, I fully expect full-throated boos or
cheers from whichever side of this contentious issue you might find
yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But please hear me out before
you either throw me on your shoulders and carry me about the arena (on the one
hand) or shove me down and trample me under your feet (on the other hand).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I merely want to share my personal
experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let me say
right up front that I do not think anyone should be compelled to take the
vaccine if they do not wish to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I
hope more people will choose to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For me, I believe it saved my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Marcie’s
mother had died of Covid in April 2020 while she was in a nursing home, so we
knew of the disease’s sudden and deadly impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because of her death, my wife and I were fully primed to receive the vaccine
when it became available. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We were
aware that the vaccine might only work about 9 times out of 10, meaning we were
protected but not impervious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
recognized that, due to the speed of the vaccine’s development, there was some
risk of a flaw in its structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as
the virus mutated and morphed over time, we understood that the vaccine would
need to be boosted and tweaked, just as with the flu shot each season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notwithstanding
these risks, we signed up for the vaccine as soon as it was available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I consider the timely arrival of the vaccine
to be truly miraculous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The primary
reason was that I have a high-risk precondition, a long-standing lung condition
that made any significant threat to my lungs and respiratory system very dangerous
for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To explain,
about 20 years ago I was mis-diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and treated
with a heavy immunosuppressant called methotrexate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That winter, due to a suppressed immune
system, a simple case of bronchitis mushroomed into double pneumonia, double
pleurisy, double pleural effusions, and ultimately double open-chest lung
surgeries called thoracotomies (the surgeon cuts through the ribs, not the
breast bone like an open chest heart surgery).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those operations were necessary to deal with my twisted, fluid-filled
lungs so they could return to their normal position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, as a result of the scraping,
scarring, and healing, my lungs and my pleura ended up being permanently fused
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I once heard the medical term
for this condition, but I lost it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you know it, please tell me again.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
condition reduces my lung capacity, leaves me short of breath, and makes it so
I cannot run or function at high altitude.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Consequently,
when the vaccine became available, I was an early adopter. Being vaccinated
gave us far more confidence in returning to normal life. After a few months, to
be honest, we got a bit casual about the whole Covid thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like many, we were mostly blind to the
arrival of the Delta variant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a
game-changer, greatly increasing the risk for everyone of catching Covid,
including those who are vaccinated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our
cavalier attitude was a bad mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About
three weeks ago, Marcie and I both caught Covid, probably from a church meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been a difficult ordeal, but fortunately
— and we attribute this to our vaccinations — <b>we each had relatively mild
cases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We escaped the critical lung
involvement and did not have to go to the hospital</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We isolated at home and cared for each other.<b>
The infections did not affect our breathing.</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a big deal for me, because if the Covid
had gone to my lungs, I believe it could have caused irreparable damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were prescribed steroids, cough
suppressants, antibiotics for residual infections, and a handful of other meds,
and we made it to the other side in one piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Marcie especially had some difficult symptoms, but we were always
grateful we could breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m no
doctor, but my understanding is that usually the Covid virus initially attacks
the head and throat areas, because the vaccine creates less residual immunity
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In an unvaccinated person, the
virus then heads for the lungs and respiratory system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when a person is vaccinated, the
virus does not get to the chest and the rest of the body because that’s where
the vaccine has built up greater immunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That explanation seems to fit what we experienced.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m happy
to report that we have now both tested negative, are feeling much better, and
seem to have only a few lingering symptoms, except a tendency to enjoy long
naps (although that may be a side-effect of my age and not the Covid). We’re so thankful for family and friends who
have prayed for us and who have monitored our well-being during this time. We feel very blessed for our recovery, and
we’re especially grateful we chose to get the vaccination. If you’re still on the fence on this issue, I
urge you go get vaccinated. It may just
save your life.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0374 NW Sherry Ln, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986, USA27.320023 -80.380586999999991-3.2026138777829161 -115.53683699999999 57.842659877782914 -45.224336999999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-53956548936337977242021-08-04T05:45:00.001-04:002021-08-04T08:39:38.433-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: What Kind of Farewell Party Do You Want?<p> </p><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"> </div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f55322;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">WHAT KIND OF FAREWELL PARTY DO YOU WANT? </span></b></span><br /></div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Dr. Seuss</span>
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<div class="yiv1613248129publish-container"> <img alt="" border="0" class="yiv1613248129" hspace="0" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffiles.constantcontact.com%2Ffad8e9d6001%2F3231dd6e-7923-48a9-ba56-9c8a579ea522.jpg&t=1628025980&ymreqid=243a8f41-cdb9-e132-2f2c-5a0037017f00&sig=CkHTAWwuQ2IDM5t8DfECqw--~D" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; visibility: visible;" vspace="0" width="520" />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">One
of my wife’s cousins recently passed away, and we respectfully attended
a “celebration of his life.” He was a laid-back but very outgoing kind
of fellow who mostly took life in stride. Fittingly, the farewell
gathering wasn’t held at a church but instead at a sports bar, one of
his favorite hang-outs. Appropriate attire was not jackets and ties, but
flowered shirts and shorts or slacks. There were no hymns and sermons;
actually, there was no program of any kind, unless you can call a
series of impromptu toasts a “program.” Instead, his friends and family
and dozens of old high school buddies met and mingled, shared drinks and
stories of him, all to the sound of rock songs on the loudspeakers in a
large open room circumscribed with a dozen giant-screen TV showing
baseball, soccer, golf, and the Olympics. The conversation was as loud
as the music, and everyone seemed to have their favorite memory about
the deceased.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">In other words, it was HIS kind of party at HIS kind of place.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I’ve
begun to think that, besides a religious service for us when we pass,
we ought to also leave instructions for the kind of farewell party we
want friends and family to attend in our memory. It’s fun to consider
the possibilities . . . . </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Are you a great cook, or someone who loved wonderful food?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Party
instructions could say: Everyone bring a special dish (along with
copies of the recipe to share); the hosts will provide sampling plates,
serving utensils, and appropriate beverages. Perhaps we could put
together a little recipe book from the Farewell Party, including several
of the best cooking tips from the dearly departed.</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Are you an avid fisherman?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Party
instructions could say: Bring your rod and reel and tackle for a
fishing tournament during the day. Equipment provided for those who
don’t have their own. That evening we’ll all gather for a fish
fry. Everyone will share their favorite fishing stories around the
fire. Special prizes for the largest fish caught and the biggest whopper
(true or not) told afterwards.</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Are you an earnest gardener?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Party
instructions could say: Bring a trowel or small shovel and your
down-and-dirty clothes because we’re going to plant 2,000 daffodil bulbs
around the flower garden of the dearly departed. After the planting,
we’ll have a picnic in a near-by park. (We actually did this several
years ago in honor of one of my wife’s great-aunts.)</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Are you a musician, or a lover of music?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Party
instructions could say: Bring your talent and your instrument (piano
provided; piano players, please leave yours home) and let’s jam. Note:
the dearly departed’s favorite genre of music should be identified in
the invitation so as not to create an awkward clash of styles. Play
until your fingers fall off and everyone is hoarse. Singing and dancing
are definitely encouraged. Party food provided by the hosts.</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Are you big into barbeque?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Party
instructions could say: Bring your grills, smokers, and cookers and
your favorite types of meat, and get down for some serious BBQ
competition. There will be tasting and judging for best BBQ in honor of
the deceased. The hosts will provide the side dishes and drinks.</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Are you crazy about crafts?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Party
instructions could say: The dearly departed invites all her family and
friends to gather for a crafting celebration with one or more of the
following different types of crafts: painting/coloring, jewelry making,
cross-stitch, crocheting, embroidery, friendship bracelets, knitting,
macrame, needlepoint, quilting, sewing, tie-dye, calligraphy, card
making, origami, papier-mâché, scrapbooking, stamping,</span> p<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">ottery,
stained glass, leatherwork, beadwork, and pressed flower craft. In
other words, there will be something for everyone. If there’s any time
left after all that, we’ll enjoy a light lunch.</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Do you love service projects and philanthropy?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Party
instructions could say: To honor the dearly departed, we’ll be serving
at a soup kitchen, a food pantry, or a children’s cancer hospital. In
lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your
choice. We’ll gather later to share why we support the charities we each
chose.</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Are you a passionate shopper?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Party
instructions could say: Bring $20 and gather at the outlet mall,
regular mall, or thrift shop. Guests will be challenged to buy something
that is TOTALLY THEM within an hour. After the shopping spree, each
shopper will present their purchases, with prizes awarded to the top
three “TOTALLY THEM” purchases that are best reflective of the dearly
departed. Heavy refreshments to be provided.</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Are you a super sports fan?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Party
instructions could say: We have a block of tickets for the big game —
we sure hope your team wins! Be sure to wear your team colors. Hot dogs,
popcorn, pretzels, (cracker jacks?) and your favorite beverages for
everyone. Later, let’s gather for a highlight reel of the dearly
departed’s favorite sporting moments.</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Are you a dead-serious genealogist?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Party
instructions could say: Bring your pedigree charts, family group
sheets, and historic photographs, and let’s figure out how we’re related
and who has the most interesting/roguish/distinguished ancestors. A
sampling of historic foods will wind up the evening. </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Do you love poetry? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Party
instructions could say: Have you written any poetry, or do you have a
favorite piece you can recite or read? Bring to the gathering in the
community room of the library, where we’ll celebrate those who have a
way with poem, for better or for “</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">verse</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">.” There’s surely someone out there who can still recite </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">The Cremation of Sam Magee </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">or </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">Casey at the Bat. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Lemonade and tea cookies afterwards.</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">* * * * *</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I
could go on and on, but you get the point. Create a celebration of your
life, one that will send you out in style. Let it be an event that will
have everyone grateful they knew you, an occasion to remember your
stories and personality. As Dr. Seuss said, let’s not cry because it’s
over; let’s smile and laugh that it happened at all. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Celebrate life!</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">* * * * *</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">On
second thought, why should the festivities happen after we’re
dead? Jeff Goldblum commented: "Amazing tradition. They throw a great
party for you on the one day they know you can’t come." Let's turn that around and make it happen while we're still able to attend. Why should </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">WE</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">miss all the fun? </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">We
shouldn’t let such a fine occasion go to waste. Garrison Keillor
famously said, "They say such nice things about people at their funerals
that it makes me sad to realize that I’m going to miss mine by just a
few days." Why don’t we plan our own farewell party to suit our own tastes, and then
invite our friends and family while we’re still alive? That way, we
won’t miss all the nice things people might have to say about US.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /></div>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com03214 Bayflower Ave., Harmony, FL 3477327.6553008 -82.419180.689152693011529 -117.57543 54.621448906988469 -47.26293tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-66089402129187450492021-07-14T07:00:00.001-04:002021-07-14T07:00:00.227-04:00Wednesday Wisdom: Eatin' Cherries and Spittin' Seeds<p> </p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #dc4d0f;">EATIN' CHERRIES AND SPITTIN' SEEDS</span></b></span></p>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"If you wish to be happy for a year, plant a garden. If you wish to be happy for a lifetime, plant a tree ." </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Jim Morris</span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">One of my favorite snack foods is cherries. I love their sweetness when they are plump and dark red, almost black. Mmm-good!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I
became addicted to cherries early in life. I grew up in a place called
Fruitland, New Mexico, on a farm with acres and acres of fruit trees, as
well as a small dairy. Apples, peaches, and pears were our cash crops,
but we also had several other varieties of fruit, mostly for personal
and household consumption: cherries, plums, nectarines, crab apples,
etc. Fresh fruit was a big part of our lives then, especially cherries
when the season was right.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Cherries
get ripe in the middle of summer, long before the apples are ready. In
the heat of the day, we boys would sometimes shirk our chores and sneak
into the orchard to see if the cherries were sweet enough to eat. When
they were, we’d climb up to a tall branch where the ripest fruit was
within easy reach, make ourselves a little perch, and spend an hour or
so just chilling, eatin’ cherries and spittin’ seeds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">The
deep red juice would stain our fingers and our lips, and perhaps the
shoulders of our T-shirts where we would wipe our faces without thinking
when the juice ran out the sides of our mouths. (When we later arrived
home for supper, there would be no hiding where we had been all
afternoon.) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">As children, we gave no thought to how those cherries — and the cherry trees on which they grew — came to be. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">It
never occurred to us to realize that they must have been planted
decades earlier by our grandfather when he first bought the farm. It was
beyond our comprehension that he, along with our father and our aunts
and uncles as youngsters, dug the holes into which the saplings were
planted, and gave them fertilizer, and made sure they were irrigated
during those hot, dry New Mexico summers. We didn’t recognize that they
were strategically hidden deep within the apple orchards, far from the
road so those passing by wouldn’t be tempted to stop and snitch a few. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">No,
the only thing we thought about was how plump and sweet and juicy and
dark red the cherries were as we spent hours perched in the tree, just
eatin’ cherries and spittin’ seeds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">* * * * *</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">As
we go through life, how often are we like those little boys, sitting in
a cherry tree enjoying the fruits of another’s labors, totally
unmindful of the legacy others have left us? How many times have we been
unknowingly blessed because of our predecessors’ past service and
sacrifice? Warren Buffet said, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">“Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">My
brothers and I were able to eat cherries because Grandpa Farnsworth and
his children planted and nourished those trees. I grew up in a
comfortable home that was built and maintained by my parents. I attended
schools established and funded by others. I was taught and mentored and
encouraged along the way by a host of others looking to plant seeds in
me they hoped would sprout and grow in the future, perhaps even beyond
their lifetimes. I was born in a country richly blessed with freedom,
opportunity, and abundance because many brave men and women gave their
Lives, their Fortunes, and their sacred Honor to build and protect the
greatest nation the world has ever known.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">When
we become aware of how indebted we are to those who came before us, we
also recognize how impossible it is to adequately repay their sacrifice
and generosity. It is beyond our puny ability, as Abraham Lincoln said,
to dedicate, to consecrate, to hallow, what they have done.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">But we can do at least two things: We can </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">express our gratitude</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">, both in word and deed. And we can </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">pay it forward</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">. </span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">We
can thankfully, appreciatively, plant trees and tend them, not for
ourselves, but for those who will follow us. We can make sure our
children and grandchildren — or even someone else’s children and
grandchildren — have the chance, literally or figuratively, to perch
themselves in the top branches of a mature fruit tree and spend hours
and hours just eatin’ cherries and spittin’ seeds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /></div>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0Florida Trail, Kenansville, FL 34739, USA27.869153 -81.1481312-3.1731539105053841 -116.3043812 58.911459910505386 -45.991881199999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-62193299102794989372021-06-23T07:00:00.004-04:002021-06-23T07:00:00.210-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: That's Unacceptable<div align="left" style="text-align: left;"> </div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f75814;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></b></span></div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f75814;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE</span></b></span></span></div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f75814;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></b></span> <br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"Doing nothing meant leaving things exactly the way they were, and that was unacceptable." </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Caroline Goode</span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Marcie
and I recently had a staycation in Orlando. We enjoyed a great morning
and a lovely lunch, and then we checked in around 3 p.m. at a large,
well-known Orlando resort hotel </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">In making the reservation, I had taken special care to reserve a room with a king-size bed and a </span><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">no-threshold</a> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">shower
to accommodate Marcie’s wheelchair. I even passed up other desirable
hotels because they couldn’t commit to that configuration. A few days
before our get-away, wanting to avoid any mix-ups, I made certain to
confirm “king bed, roll-in shower” with the hotel’s “Social Media
Concierge” </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;">IN WRITING</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">.</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">What
a surprise, then, when we got to our room to find a bathtub instead of a
no-threshold shower. The tub didn’t even have grab bars.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I
immediately called the front desk to let them know of their mistake. A
nice employee listened to my concerns, put me on hold, and then came
back to report they had a room with a no-threshold shower and two
queen-size beds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I told them that wouldn’t work.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">“But that’s all that we have available,” the front-desk person said. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">“No,
we need a room with a king-size bed and a roll-in shower. That’s what I
reserved, and confirmed in writing, and nothing else is acceptable.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">“I’m sorry, but that’s all there is,” she insisted.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I
replied, “This hotel has over 1,500 rooms, and you’re telling me you
don’t have a room with a king-size bed and a no-threshold shower? That’s
not possible.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">The conversation went nowhere from there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Once it became obvious that talking with the check-in clerk was fruitless, I asked to speak to her manager. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">The
manager listened kindly and patiently, and repeated the earlier
proposal of “two queens and a roll-in shower,” because “that’s all we
have available.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I insisted that her answer was unacceptable, whereupon she said “well, let me check.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">She
returned to the call a minute or two later to say, “Yes, we have a room
with a king-size bed and a roll-in shower, but it needs to be cleaned
up. I will have housekeeping expedite the cleaning and let you know when
it’s ready.” She took my cell number, but unfortunately, I did not
write down her name.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">The
bellman showed up with our luggage, but we explained the situation and
asked him to hold on to it because we didn’t want to schlepp the luggage
and our two wheelchairs, etc. when we were reassigned rooms. We were
okay just waiting in the mis-assigned room without our luggage. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Then we waited. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">And waited.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">And waited.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">We
never dreamed we’d wait almost two hours without hearing anything from
anyone. By then, my patience had expired. I called the front desk, where
I continued to get the runaround. I asked again for the manager. The
manager picked up and I repeated my story.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">She
interrupted me and said she was the same person I had spoken with
earlier, and that our room was still not ready. I then asked to speak to
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;">her</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
manager, because obviously she didn’t have the clout to get an
“expeditious” room cleaning after nearly two hours. At that point, she
acknowledged she was actually the manager for the whole hotel. </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Flabbergasted,
I proceeded to suggest that her hotel’s procedures needed revamping
because two hours was clearly too long to keep paying guests waiting for
their room, especially with “expedited” room clean-up. I told her my
wife was tired of all the nonsense and was ready to find somewhere else
to stay, or just go home. I made a passing reference to the Americans
with Disabilities Act, since our request was all about accommodating a
guest with disabilities, and reiterated that the hotel’s response was
UNACCEPTABLE.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">She
said to give her 10 minutes and she would fix the problem, and asked if
she could treat us to dinner at any of the hotel’s fine
restaurants? Which one would be your preference?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I said, “Get us into our room and then we can talk about dinner.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">She hung up and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;">within a minute</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">,
she called back to say our room was ready, and the bellman would take
us and our luggage there momentarily. She recommended their world-class
steak restaurant for a complimentary dinner. </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">In
no time, we were whisked to our new room with a king-size bed and
roll-in shower. The bellman gave us the hotel manager’s card, the
restaurant manager’s name, and an early reservation where we could order
anything on the menu, at their expense.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Our
dining experience was exceptional. The food was fantastic and the wait
staff swarmed around us the whole time, making sure our every whim was
satisfied promptly and cordially. When I asked for the check, our server
waived us off. “It’s on the house.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Nice recovery, hotel manager.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">But
important questions remain: Why did it take so long for her to
actually address my request, and why did I have to express serious
unhappiness before any meaningful response? Why were we sent to the
wrong room in the first place, and why did they continue to offer me
something (a queen-bed room) when I repeatedly told them that was
UNACCEPTABLE? Why was the correct room suddenly available in less than a
minute after my second call? Why didn’t they call me when it was first
ready, instead of leaving us to cool our heels for nearly two hours?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">In
the end, their mistake, neglect, inaction, and attempt to smooth things
over cost them an expensive dinner, and made us question ever wanting
to stay there again. They definitely ruined our plans for the evening.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Five years ago, I wrote a </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">Wednesday Wisdom</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
article summarizing a rule of thumb from Frank Day, the Chairman and
CEO of Trustmark National Bank. It seems relevant in this situation.</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Back
in the 1980s, I was Vice-President and Trust Officer at Trustmark
National Bank. The CEO, Frank Day, was a great champion of integrity and
attentive customer service. He taught that, given the nature of humans
and machines, things will sometimes go awry. But when they do, it’s
imperative that we spring into action to address the problem and redress
any harm done as soon as possible. Call today, not tomorrow. Go to your
customer, tell him the truth, and figure out how to make him whole. Mr.
Day’s mantra still rings in my ears: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"Mistakes happen. It’s okay to be wrong. JUST DON’T BE WRONG LONG!”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I
hope I can remember his advice when I’m the one who makes the
mistake. The old saying that “a stitch in time saves nine” is factually
and mathematically correct, especially when it comes to personal and
business relationships. Postponing reconciliation increases the
infection and allows the wound to fester, making it nine or ten times
harder to eventually heal. The sooner we own our mistake, reach out to
the person aggrieved, and search for ways to make things right, the
easier and less costly it is to patch things up. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">We’re
grateful for the complimentary dinner, but we’re sorry it had to come
to that. We wish the hotel and their staff lived by Frank Day’s advice: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Don’t be wrong long. </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /></div><p> </p>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0Unnamed Road, St Cloud, FL 34773, USA28.1950784 -81.0180292-1.5715135282198709 -116.1742792 57.961670328219867 -45.8617792tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-88915903616391243632021-06-09T07:30:00.001-04:002021-06-09T07:30:00.226-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Allstar Piano Movers - Doing What No One Else Wants to Do<p> </p><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f05513;"><span style="font-size: large;">ALLSTAR PIANO MOVERS: DOING WHAT NO ONE ELSE WANTS TO DO</span></span><br /></div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"When you choose your fields of labor, go where nobody else is willing to go ." </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Mary Lyon</span>
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<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Our son, Evan playing his great-grandmother’s piano in Harmony.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Marcie
and I are downsizing and we recently gave our beloved baby grand piano
to our son, Evan, who lives in Atlanta. This piano originally belonged
to his great-grandmother over a hundred years ago. Back in the 1980s it
played a cameo role in a PBS feature film called </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;">Courtship</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">that
was filmed at Marcie’s grandmother’s home in Brookhaven, Mississippi.
It has served four generations of piano players, including my wife and
her siblings, and all six of our children. </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">It
was given to us about 40 years ago. Needless to say, my wife, Marcie,
is very fond of the piano. Seeing it leave our house was a bittersweet
experience for her, even though she knew it was headed to a wonderful
new home. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">That raised the question of moving it to Atlanta.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Anyone
who has ever moved a baby grand knows that is no small feat. Not only
are they very heavy, but they have an awkward shape. My 69-year-old back
was personally dreading playing any part in the project. One wrong move
can mean disaster for the piano, the movers, or both, as illustrated
here:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Fortunately,
Evan decided to call in some professional help. He phoned several
movers in the Atlanta and Orlando areas to check on their prices and
availability. He and my daughter Kate (who overheard Evan’s calls) both
reported that most of the people he talked to were less than
enthusiastic about taking on the job. All, that is, except Curtis
Harris.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Curtis
answered the phone energetically. “Yes, sir,” he said, “we would be
happy to help you move that piano. Tell me more about it. Where are we
taking it? What is your time frame?”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Since
his prices were fair and because of his upbeat attitude, Evan hired him
for the job and made an appointment for pickup at our house.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Five minutes </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;">before</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">the
appointed hour, Curtis Harris rang our doorbell, introduced himself and
his brother, and said they were there to move the piano. Marcie and I
watched them work their magic, quickly removing the legs and the pedals,
carefully wrapping the piano itself and all the parts, and gliding the
heavy body out the door and into the truck — seemingly with very little
effort. </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">As
they worked, we found out about them and Curtis’ company, Allstar Piano
Movers LLC. We learned that the brothers were originally from
Connecticut, but moved to Atlanta to take care of their elderly
grandmother. Curtis worked for another company for ten years and then
started his own business. Moving pianos is all they do. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">From
their base in Georgia, they cover 12 states. By all appearances their
business is very successful. For example, they were picking up three
pianos that morning in Orlando and moving them to Atlanta.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I
asked Curtis to tell me his secret. He said his success stems from
keeping his word (like showing up on time), being upbeat and cheerful,
and, most importantly, doing what others aren’t willing to do. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">“I found something no one else wanted to do — moving pianos — and worked to become the best around.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Now I have virtually more work than I can handle.”</span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Curtis
knows how much other people hate the idea of moving a piano, so he
created a niche for himself doing that. His perspective is similar to
football great Jerry Rice’s attitude: “Today I will do what others
won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">We’re
delighted we found Curtis and Allstar Piano Movers LLC. He made a hard
job easy for us. Based on what I learned from Curtis, I now have a new
suggestion for anyone thinking of going into business for themselves: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Find something no one else wants to do and learn to do it well.</span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">We can happily report that Curtis delivered the hundred-year-old baby grand</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">safely to its new home in Atlanta and set it up for Evan to play, as shown below. Mission accomplished!</span>
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<div class="yiv4332387409publish-container"> <img alt="" border="0" class="yiv4332387409" hspace="0" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffiles.constantcontact.com%2Ffad8e9d6001%2F52e640fb-12c9-40d3-8328-7da8744978f8.jpg&t=1623207022&ymreqid=243a8f41-cdb9-e132-2f2c-5a0046015500&sig=J7LzOby_ou61MrluC7FG9A--~D" style="display: block; height: auto !important; max-width: 100% !important; visibility: visible;" vspace="0" width="543" />
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<div class="yiv4332387409text-container yiv4332387409galileo-ap-content-editor"><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Evan playing his piano at his home in Atlanta.</span></div></div></div>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-30282126382253363482021-05-26T07:00:00.002-04:002021-05-26T07:00:00.190-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Life on Lake X - Driving Around and Around in Circles<p><b><span style="color: #ff5500; font-size: large;">WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Life on Lake X - Driving Around and Around in Circles</span></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Walking
in circles your whole life just gets scuff marks on your shoes.” </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Todd Johnson</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ2VIF1GGEw/YK2HznY60LI/AAAAAAAACyE/aW06fJOb930BJ26Fu1Sc_gFbPGj4jQMEgCNcBGAsYHQ/s480/WW1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="337" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ2VIF1GGEw/YK2HznY60LI/AAAAAAAACyE/aW06fJOb930BJ26Fu1Sc_gFbPGj4jQMEgCNcBGAsYHQ/w449-h337/WW1.jpg" width="449" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">There is a
large lake a few miles from my house called “Lake X.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">It is entirely on private property and lies
at the terminus of a long, dead-end road.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">It boasts its own private airstrip, and is hidden behind high chain-link
and barbed-wire fences.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Back in the
1950s, a squadron of security guards kept outsiders at bay.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">When the winds were right, neighbors could
hear the sounds of motorboats on the lake at all hours of the day and
night.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Over time,
word seeped out that Lake X was a test site for new prototype motors being
produced at the Mercury Marine factory in the nearby town of St. Cloud, Florida.
The location was designed to be the most secluded marine testing facility in
the world with 12,000 acres of land and 1,440 acres of water. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">While the
testing at Lake X in recent years has shifted to a focus on high-tech racing
boats, back in the 1950s the emphasis was on improving the durability of
Mercury Marine motors. Young men were hired to drive boats around and around in
an 8.3-mile circle to test the engines’ durability and report those results to company
engineers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FtlRV_3QOGE/YK2IBWEgpCI/AAAAAAAACyI/ywfNOWu0Aq8rj-YySQtwteFY9sDGlqotwCNcBGAsYHQ/s432/WW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="432" height="301" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FtlRV_3QOGE/YK2IBWEgpCI/AAAAAAAACyI/ywfNOWu0Aq8rj-YySQtwteFY9sDGlqotwCNcBGAsYHQ/w373-h301/WW2.jpg" width="373" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">To counter
criticism of the durability and longevity of the company’s products, Mercury executives
conceived a non-stop, "around the world" endurance run using two
boats powered by Mercury outboards. Known as “Project Atlas,” drivers working
in shifts drove the boats nonstop for more than a month. After 34 days, 11
hours, 47 minutes and 5.4 seconds, the lead boat completed its 4,526th lap of
Lake X for a total distance of 25,003 miles. It was followed only minutes later
by the second boat.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lx9jcF3ZVfY/YK2IQ_k8baI/AAAAAAAACyU/oONT-PX_Nt8fWrD03ZLIr_sx9WAFOmpPACNcBGAsYHQ/s360/WW3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="360" height="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lx9jcF3ZVfY/YK2IQ_k8baI/AAAAAAAACyU/oONT-PX_Nt8fWrD03ZLIr_sx9WAFOmpPACNcBGAsYHQ/w397-h317/WW3.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="Lake X" id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 255.75pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 320.25pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="Lake X" src="file:///C:/Users/kevin/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image003.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The achievement
of Project Atlas did much to reassure potential customers that the company’s
motors were reliable and wouldn’t quit on them in the middle of nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mercury Marine Motors Go Non-Stop Around the
World.” Marketing Mission Accomplished!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Despite the
success of Project Atlas and notwithstanding the allure of working within the
mystique of James Bond-type secrecy, real life on Lake X was decidedly unglamorous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the employees didn’t last long on the
job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without question, the biggest
challenge they faced was the relentless tedium of driving mindlessly around and
around, hour after hour. It’s hard to picture motoring in a circle, day after
day and night after night, for more than a month. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apparent glamour of being a Lake X driver was
soon undercut by the sheer boredom of cruising in endless circles to nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">* * * * *<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">A few weeks
ago, I experienced — in a miniscule way — my own “Lake X” episode with my
wife’s electric wheelchair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
batteries were malfunctioning and the expert at the electric wheelchair store
told me to ride the chair until it completely ran out of juice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Turns out, I
had no idea how long the chair could go on a single charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drove around and around in endless circles on
our quiet residential street for what seemed like forever, all the time praying
that it would soon give up the ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
even when the gauge was blinking empty, the chair behaved like the Energizer
Bunny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It simply wouldn’t quit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">During the
hours during which I was driving around in circles, I was thinking of all the
other things I could have been doing on my day off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had lots of chores on my to-do list, and
lots of fun things I wanted to try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, there I was, stuck on that wheelchair going nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, after several hours, it conked out
and I was able to push it into the garage for repairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a waste of a lovely spring morning, I
thought to myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a good thing no
one had hired me to work at Lake X back in the 1950s.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">* * * * *<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps
there are times for all of us when life seems as though we are driving one of
those boats on Lake X, on a circular path to nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There have been occasions over the years when
I’ve felt like I was going around and around in circles, living my personal
version of a Lake X existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
moving, but I wasn’t sure where I was going and, as a result, it seemed as
though I was not getting anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Going in
circles can leave a harried traveler with a sense of disequilibrium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Novelist Wallace Stegner wisely observed: “If
we don’t know WHERE we are, we don’t know WHO we are.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned that if I cannot clearly
identify the destination to which I am headed, I am probably running in a
circle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-copeqycqJYs/YK2IdkCsexI/AAAAAAAACyY/efsoXamPR0EndMHQMLJpXLcIhQ7CwiWGACNcBGAsYHQ/s750/WW4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="750" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-copeqycqJYs/YK2IdkCsexI/AAAAAAAACyY/efsoXamPR0EndMHQMLJpXLcIhQ7CwiWGACNcBGAsYHQ/w424-h283/WW4.png" width="424" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 211.5pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 315.75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:/Users/kevin/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image004.png">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">When that
happens, it’s imperative that I stop and regain my bearings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s important to pull out my compass, my
sextant, and my maps, and allow myself a bit of calm and solitude to recalibrate
my direction and destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to get
beyond the confines of a Lake X mindset by spending extra time on my knees in <b>PRAYER</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I must pause
and remember who I really am and what I really want from this life. In the
journey of mortality, <b>PACE</b> is a poor substitute for <b>PERSPECTIVE</b>
and <b>PURPOSE</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0Orlando, FL, USA28.5383355 -81.37923650.22810166382115327 -116.5354865 56.848569336178841 -46.222986500000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-13820222301664934342021-05-05T07:30:00.010-04:002021-05-05T07:30:00.199-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Our Favorite Things<p class="MsoNormal"> <b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in; width: 100%;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">OUR FAVORITE
THINGS</span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 7.5pt 15pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Raindrops on roses and
whiskers on kittens</span></i></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bright copper kettles and warm
woolen mittens</span></i></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brown paper packages tied up with
strings</span></i></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These are a few of my favorite
things." </span></i></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rodgers & Hammerstein</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I spent a week on vacation recently with a dozen family
members of all ages — children, teenagers, adults, and seniors — and along
the way we discovered a fun, easy activity to spark conversation and get to
know each other better.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The exercise is
simple: Someone thinks of a topic requiring them to identify “one of
their favorite things” that fits their chosen category. For example:</span></p><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What
is one of your favorite movies, and why?”</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What
is one of your favorite fast-food restaurants, and why?”</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What
is one of your favorite animals, and why?”</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What
is one of your favorite types of food, and why?” <br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They answer first and explain why
it’s one of their favorites. Follow-up discussion is
encouraged. Then the question moves around the circle to the next
person.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once each person in the circle has
shared one of their favorite things of that category and told why they
picked that, it’s the next person’s turn to initiate a round. They
think up the next “favorite thing” topic, they give the answer first, and
then around the circle it goes again.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This turned out to be a delightful
way to pass long hours on the road with my wife and three teenage
granddaughters. Our granddaughters live far away from us and we seldom
get to spend much time with them. This activity allowed all of us to
get to know each other better, and made the miles go faster.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We revisited this game on the last
evening of our week together. Our entire group gathered in a large
circle and we used three “favorite thing” questions to recall and appreciate
a wonderful vacation:</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What was one of your favorite activities or places we visited this
week, and why?"</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What was one of your favorite foods we ate this week, and why?”</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What was one of your favorite things you learned this week, and why?"</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of course, we all thought of
different things during our turns, and there were a lot of “Oh, yeah, that
was one of mine too,” or “You’re right, I forgot about that.” Whether
young, old, or in between, we had no trouble sharing wonderful
memories. We found this closing round of favorite things was a sweet
and reassuring way to bring our time together to an uplifting close, a
delightful reminder of good times shared.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> * * * * *</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How about you and your family or
friends? Is there an upcoming occasion when you could use this simple
activity to share memories, learn more about each other, or put a capstone
on a great time spent together? What about Mother’s Day or Memorial
Day or a summer afternoon picnic? Here are a few suggestions to get
you started:</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What is one of your favorite memories of Mother (or Grandmother), and why?"</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What
is something you really appreciate about our country, and why?”</span><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What
is one of your favorite picnic foods, and why?”</span><br />
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Try it; I’m sure you’ll like it as
much as we did.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
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Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-90168770916536304542021-04-21T07:00:00.001-04:002021-04-21T07:00:00.229-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Being on the Receiving End of Gratitude<p> <!--[if !mso]>
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</p><div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BEING ON THE
RECEIVING END OF GRATITUDE</span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Feeling gratitude and not
expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." </span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">William Arthur
Ward<i> </i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in 15.0pt 0in 15.0pt;" valign="top"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><img border="0" class="" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/fad8e9d6001/610ba19d-7e0e-4865-91dc-3095cd68d3db.jpg" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="473" /></span></p>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was recently the recipient of an
unexpected and generous expression of gratitude, and it felt so
wonderful! Here’s what happened:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fifty years ago, I learned to speak
Portuguese while living in Brazil for a couple of years. Upon my
return to the United States, I completed my undergraduate degree with a
double major in Portuguese and political science. But then I lived for
many, many years in places where I had no opportunity to converse in
Portuguese. Over time I lost a lot of my vocabulary, my fluency, and
especially my confidence in this second language.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A few weeks ago, José and Nara, a
recently-immigrated Brazilian couple who speak very little English,
retained me to prepare wills and a trust for them. I was forced to
dust off my out-of-practice Portuguese in order to understand their wishes
for themselves and their sons, and then to draft (in English, thankfully)
the appropriate documents. Fortunately, they were very gracious and
patient with me and my rusty Portuguese. As we worked together, we
developed a genuine friendship and appreciation for each other.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During our last meeting, after I
had finished explaining a dozen documents for them to sign, and while
Angie, my paralegal, was making copies, the couple excused themselves to go
to their car. When they returned to my office, they were carrying an
enormous basket (pictured above) for me, and a separate gift bag for
Angie. Both were filled with an abundance of Brazilian sweets, treats,
and other goodies. Some were delights I remembered from my time years
ago in Brazil, while others were new to me. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This lovely couple’s expression of
gratitude caught me totally off guard, and the sheer enormity of the basket
completely blew me away. They said what they appreciated most was that
I pressed forward in Portuguese as well as I could, notwithstanding my
obvious difficulty in speaking in a tongue mostly dormant to me. That,
they said, lifted and encouraged them as they struggled to complete their
own daunting task of doing their estate planning in English, a language
equally difficult for them. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I took the basket home where my
wife and I opened and savored each delicacy, turning our impromptu tasting
party into a decadent substitute for supper.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Later, as I reflected on their
outrageously wonderful EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE, I asked myself, how many
times have I missed the opportunity to demonstratively express my
appreciation to those who have served, sustained, or sacrificed for
me? How often have I overlooked occasions when I could have left
others with the same level of joy I experienced when I received this huge
basket of Brazilian gratitude?</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank you, José and Nara, for the
sweet lesson you taught me. From being the fortunate recipient of your
gratitude, I better understand, to paraphrase Gertrude Stein, that “silent
gratitude isn’t much good to anyone.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have resolved that I will more
attentively look for ways to<b> <u>demonstrate my appreciation</u></b> to
others who have blessed my life. I realize that I can best say thank
you for kindnesses like José and Nara’s by paying it forward. “One
can never pay in gratitude; one can only pay 'in kind' somewhere else in
life." Anne Morrow Lindbergh</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
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Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-41006987652571476502021-04-07T07:00:00.002-04:002021-04-07T07:00:00.178-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Can You Sleep When the Wind Blows?<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> <b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CAN YOU SLEEP WHEN
THE WIND BLOWS?</span></b></p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top"></td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"To be prepared is half the
victory." </span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Miguel de Cervantes<i> </i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><img border="0" class="" height="543" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/fad8e9d6001/c0920684-d50d-4994-a1ae-99a088606853.png" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="416" /> <br /></span></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="display: none; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hide: all;"> </span></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The story is told of a farmer who
decided to hire someone to help him care for his prosperous property. The
only applicant was an older man with a limp. The farmer, a little
disappointed, reluctantly offered the man the job, but expressed his
concern to the prospective employee that he couldn’t work as hard as
someone younger and without physical limitations. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t worry,” said the older
man. “You won’t be disappointed. I can work as hard as someone
half my age, and besides, I can sleep when the wind blows.” The farmer
was puzzled but didn’t say anything. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A few weeks later, the farmer woke
in the middle of the night to the sound of a huge approaching
storm. He roused his son and told him to run and get the hired man
from the bunkhouse so they could tend to the animals, equipment, and
buildings before the storm hit with all its fury. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He rushed to the barns to see what
he could do to protect his farm from the dangerous gale. His son
caught up to him shortly and reported he couldn’t wake the old
timer. This angered the farmer, and he swore he’d take care of that
unreliable hireling as soon as his farm was safe.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But as he and his son went from
barn to barn and shed to shed, they found that all the animals were safely
within their stalls and corrals. All the tools and equipment were put
away and locked up. All the doors and gates were closed tight. Everything
was battened down; nothing was amiss. There wasn’t a single thing they
needed to do, except go back to bed. The farm was safely sheltered
from the storm.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then it came to him in a
flash. He remembered — and finally understood — what the older man with
the limp had said in the job interview: “I can sleep when the wind
blows.” He shook his head in amazement and appreciation, then went
back to the house with his son. He climbed back into bed, but he
didn’t sleep. All he could think about was a hired man, wise with
years, who could sleep when the wind blows. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Can you sleep when the wind
blows? </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Trouble will surely come to all of
us sooner or later, but we need not be paralyzed in its
path. Preparation is the antidote to fear. Anticipating and
addressing future dangers will give us peace of mind. Living lives of
integrity and service will give us fortitude and resilience in the storms
of life. As my boyhood scoutmasters admonished us, “Be Prepared.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
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Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0Florida, USA27.6648274 -81.5157535-0.64540643617884541 -116.6720035 55.975061236178846 -46.3595035tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-67468528513444034742021-03-17T07:00:00.001-04:002021-03-17T07:00:11.517-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: I'm All Ears - The Expert Listener<p class="MsoNormal"> <b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I'M ALL EARS: THE
EXPERT LISTENER</span></b></p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top"></td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Listening is a magnetic and
strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones
we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and
expand."</span></i></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Karl A. Menniger</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Never miss a good chance to shut
up.”</span></i></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Will Rogers</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
</td>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 15.0pt 0in 15.0pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQEeJ4Tp-24/YFFfmCc3zKI/AAAAAAAACu4/2cGos6Wg1hUm5m5Bek4ImHRXF5uW1mTkgCNcBGAsYHQ/s560/Listening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="560" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQEeJ4Tp-24/YFFfmCc3zKI/AAAAAAAACu4/2cGos6Wg1hUm5m5Bek4ImHRXF5uW1mTkgCNcBGAsYHQ/w448-h298/Listening.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br /></span><p></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We all know what an expert is,
don’t we? That’s a person who knows a lot and gets paid to deliver
brilliant answers. The essence of what they do is talk, right?</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wrong.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The so-called expert who can’t or
won’t listen well — regardless of how smart they are — is, more often than
not, useless:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 66.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> <span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They give the wrong answer because they miss important
information.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 66.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They give the right answer to the wrong question.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 66.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They give the right answer but their answer is
incomprehensible to the client, patient, or customer.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 66.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They answer the obvious question but miss the real
question.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 66.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They give the right answer but miss the human
implications of both the question and the answer.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 66.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They give the right answer but their advice isn’t
followed because clients, patients, or customers don’t trust them.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A real expert is an expert
listener. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A real expert realizes that the
quality of their answer is only as good as the quality of the information
they hear. A real expert knows that if they don’t hear the correct
question or the real question, their answer — even though correct — will be
largely worthless. A real expert recognizes that until clients,
patients, customers, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia", serif;">or friends or colleagues who need
guidance </span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">feel listened to and understood, their answers will be suspect
and their recommendations will not be implemented. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Great listeners are far more likely
to be successful, whatever their profession. As Bernard Baruch said,
“Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more
listening than talking.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A real expert understands that when
they’re in the presence of a client, a patient, or a customer, there are
two experts in the room, not one. A real expert knows that to find the
best answers in today’s complex world, they must bring <u>everyone’s</u>
best thinking to bear on the issue at hand, not just their own. A real
expert has the temperament and the tools to do that.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A real expert practices what I call
<b>“transformational listening.”</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Transformational listening goes
beyond listening for data, information, or knowledge; it is listening for
wisdom and insight. It goes beyond listening with the physical ears;
it is listening with ears of discernment.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Transformational listening is not a
set of techniques; it is <i>a way of being</i> with another person. It
is not based on some clever approach or device; it is based on the
deep-down way we see others and ourselves.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An outstanding example of a true
expert who practiced transformational listening in his work with clients
was Paul Laughlin. Paul was the bank trust officer in Hattiesburg,
Mississippi, who turned a conversation with Osceola McCarty, an 87-year-old
uneducated but generous washer woman, into a magnificent scholarship gift
to the University of Southern Mississippi. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;" valign="top"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgTPVlIoc1I/YFFfyb0uUuI/AAAAAAAACu8/EZCbV1DycoQAsC66QPcs26VPXa5cmkgZgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1143/Paul_Listening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1063" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgTPVlIoc1I/YFFfyb0uUuI/AAAAAAAACu8/EZCbV1DycoQAsC66QPcs26VPXa5cmkgZgCNcBGAsYHQ/w349-h375/Paul_Listening.jpg" width="349" /></a></div><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PAUL LAUGHLIN</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Looking beyond her age, her
profession, her lack of education, the size of her bank account, and the
color of her skin, Paul listened to Osceola and saw a vision for her future
happiness and heard an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the
world. Only after applying his expertise as a listener did he deploy
his expertise in estate planning and charitable giving. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As a result, Paul not only
transformed Osceola’s life but he also dramatically changed the lives of an
entire university community, of dozens of future Mississippi school
teachers, and of untold numbers of philanthropists and their advisors who
have been inspired by this story. Generations yet unborn will be
blessed by Paul’s transformational listening.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paul and I were once colleagues
working in the trust department of the same bank. If you were to talk
with Paul, you would discover a man of great humility, respect, and
curiosity. These attributes are essential for a transformational
listener. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The transformational listener is
HUMBLE. They see themselves as constantly open to new
understanding. They know that, as much as they already know, they
still have much to learn about the customer’s world. They understand
that careful, attentive, and appreciative listening both with their ears
and with their heart is the only way they will learn enough about their
customer’s world to become an expert in it. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The transformational listener is
RESPECTFUL. Regardless of the apparent disparity in age, education,
wealth, achievement, rank, status, or power, they see clients, patients,
customers, or friends or colleagues who need guidance, as fellow human
travelers, each with unique experiences and exceptional
brilliance. They acknowledge their clients’ strengths and talents, and
honor their life journey. They know that every person they meet has
something important to teach them.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The transformational listener is
CURIOUS. They can’t wait to discover what lies within the clients’ every
phrase or paragraph or silent pause. They are fascinated by where
their customers’ minds will go next, by what stories or insights will
spring forth from their thinking if they are listened to generously and
without interruption.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Paul Laughlin showed, being a
real expert is first about listening and only then about speaking. It
is more about what we are presently learning than what we previously
knew. It is more about harnessing shared brilliance than showing off
as a solitary shooting star. It is more about a way of seeing others
and being with people than the mastery of a set of techniques. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Great listening is TRANSFORMATIONAL. It changes both the
one who’s speaking and the one who’s listening. And over time, it
changes the world.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
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Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-25384485049456961302021-03-03T07:30:00.001-05:002021-03-03T07:30:01.899-05:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Enough for Everyone<p class="MsoNormal"> <b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ENOUGH FOR
EVERYONE</span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“A man's life consists not in the
abundance of the things which he possesses." </span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">St. Luke 12:15</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><img border="0" class="" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/fad8e9d6001/ecb657d5-5fb0-44d4-b1d0-01d94fa6c652.jpg" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="585" /></span></p>
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<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The question of “enough” permeates
our culture. My generation came of age with Mick Jagger’s raspy voice
telling us (wink, wink) that you can’t get no satisfaction from “how white
your shirts can be,” by smoking “the same cigarettes as me,” or by getting
plenty of “girlie action.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sadly, that message encouraged lots
of Baby Boomers to seek fulfillment the Rolling Stones’
way. Eventually, though, they discovered that even if you catch it,
you won’t find satisfaction if you’re chasing </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", serif; font-size: 12pt;">the wrong scent in the pursuit of happiness</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. It just
won’t be “enough.” They learned too late that there is never “enough”
in the accumulation of transitory pleasures or material
possessions. The truth is that “you can never get enough of what you
don’t need, because what you don’t need won’t satisfy you.” Dallin
Oaks.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s never been about how much we
own. The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus summed it up eloquently:
“Not what we have but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.” A few
years ago, Sheryl Crow translated this centuries-old wisdom into clever
rock and roll lyrics. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I don't have digital;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I don't have diddly squat.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's not having what you want;</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's wanting what you've got.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In a similar way, many of my
generation have found by sad experience that we don’t find “enough” by
competing with and comparing ourselves to others. Comparing another’s
possessions, another’s relationships, even another’s life, with ours
invariably gets in the way of enjoying and appreciating our own.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As long as the focus is comparative
and the answer is relative, we will never have enough. There will
always be another with more. There will always be someone with a
bigger, a faster, a newer, a more expensive, a more glamorous, a more
exotic . . . whatever.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When it comes to what’s most
important, life is not a zero-sum game. There are no quotas or limits
to the things that matter most. My joy and happiness do not take away
from yours, and your joy and happiness do not take away from mine. Whatever
wisdom and understanding I may have does not limit yours. My
peace and contentment do not diminish yours, nor do yours diminish mine.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No people on the face of the planet
or in the history of the world have ever come close to having as much as do
we 21st Century Americans. One of the dangers of our unprecedented
technology and material wealth is that it can blind us to the real
abundance in our lives. Too much “stuff” gets in the way of
recognizing and enjoying greater treasures.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have learned that when we are
able to see further than physical possessions and earthly advantages, we
can comprehend that our abundance is truly beyond measure and potentially
infinite. We have enough, and to spare.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Michael Beckwith once spoke of a
virus even more insidious than Covid-19:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"There is a lie that acts like
a virus within the mind of humanity. And that lie is, ‘There’s not enough
good to go around. There’s lack and there’s limitation and there’s just not
enough.’ The truth is that there’s more than enough good to go around.
There are more than enough creative ideas. . . . There is more than
enough love. There’s more than enough joy. There is enough for
everyone."</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May we be inoculated against this
virus, and thus recognize the abundance that surrounds us. May we see
that, indeed, we have “enough.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
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Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-73634971773821439222021-02-17T07:30:00.001-05:002021-02-17T07:30:11.048-05:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Too Much on Your To-Do List?<p class="MsoNormal"> <b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TOO MUCH ON YOUR
TO-DO LIST?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Checking items off a to-do list
doesn't determine progress; focusing on your priorities is what counts.” </span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Frank Sonnenberg</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p></td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><img border="0" class="" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/fad8e9d6001/95e56fd1-33aa-4f3c-aa13-f738b24c013e.png" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="462" /></span></p>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
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<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: .75pt; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><img border="0" height="1" id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/sys/S.gif" style="display: block; height: 1px; width: 5px;" width="5" /></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sometimes simpler is
better. Here’s a case in point:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have a friend who you would think
has a to-do list a mile long. Her life could be very complicated, if
she allowed it to be.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She’s a wife; the mother of three
young children; a loving daughter who looks out for her older parents; a
full-time high school special-ed teacher with responsibilities for many
extra-curricular activities at her school; a part-time instructor for an
online university program; the leader of her church’s youth program for teenage
girls; a thoughtful and attentive neighbor; and an active community
volunteer. If anyone would have a million things to get done every
day, it would be her.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But her attitude regarding to-do
lists is wise, effective, and refreshing. And seemingly counterintuitive.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Her to-do-list mantra is simple and
blunt: <u><b>NO MORE THAN FOUR.</b></u></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She believes a too-long list is
counterproductive. In her view, when you have dozens of things on your
list, the natural tendency is to work on the easiest things first, because
it feels good to scratch them off. Unfortunately, however, the easiest
things are usually not the most important things. If your focus is on
“scratching items off your list,” you end up giving your attention to the
“stuff” and leaving unattended the things that matter most.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NO MORE THAN FOUR.</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But when you limit your list to
only four things, she says, you force yourself to identify what are truly
your highest priorities, the critical to-dos that absolutely MUST get
done. Those four things make your list. Very often, those things
are about relationships and not about tasks. Then, as you go through
your day, every time you glance at your list, the TOP FOUR are in your
face. As a result, they’re the things you do. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a target="_blank"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Georgia", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">NO MORE THAN FOUR.</span></span></u><span style="font-family: "Georgia", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After you complete those four high-priority
items, you are then free to tackle other matters, if you wish to. You
may have time and energy for other things, or you may not. But even if
you don’t accomplish anything else the rest of the day, you’ve conquered
YOUR TOP FOUR. The rest is gravy.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><u><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NO MORE THAN FOUR.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then you repeat this process each
day. I can guarantee you that, if each day you get your four most
important matters done, in almost no time you can change your
life. Think of it: by the end of a week, 28 high-priority objectives
are complete! That’s a boatload of accomplishment. Some things
will come back up again, but so what? Just put them back on the list
again; you already know how to handle them.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a target="_blank"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">NO MORE THAN FOUR.</span></u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I like her system a lot. The
best thing about it is its simplicity. You don’t spend tons of time
and energy creating the ideal list and then end up being captive to it.
Over the years, I’ve been guilty of spending more effort designing
the perfect tool for getting things done than actually doing what’s on the
list. It’s kind of like the tail wagging the dog.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Often, simpler is
better. Here’s all it takes: Grab a 3x5 card, a notes page on your
phone, or any slip of paper, and write on it what you most want to
accomplish today. No more than four. From time to time, review
your list during the day. Then go get ‘em done. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It happens, almost magically.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Repeat tomorrow. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then the next day. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s that simple.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NO MORE THAN FOUR.</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
</td>
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</div>
Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-56212333290114991822021-01-27T07:30:00.003-05:002021-01-27T07:30:02.371-05:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Where Are You Headed?<p class="MsoNormal"> <b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><br /><span style="color: #f15405;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span>WHERE ARE YOU HEADED?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #000090;"></span>
</span></b></p><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000090;"></span></div>
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<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“You
have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer
yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own, and you know
what you know. And you are the guy who'll decide where to go.” </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Dr. Seuss</span>
</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<div class="text-container galileo-ap-content-editor"><div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Nothing
is more disheartening on a road trip than getting lost. I can clearly
recall the frustration of becoming disoriented or “turned around” in
some places, and how vulnerable and stupid I felt in those
moments. Nothing seemed to make sense and every move I made appeared to
create more confusion.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Being
bewildered or flummoxed in the journey of life is like that. On those
occasions when I felt I had lost my sense of direction and purpose, the
world seemed gray and every turn seemed to take me nowhere. I felt
insecure and I worried that others could easily take advantage of
me. Until I regained my bearings, life was a blur and all progress
stopped.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">When
it comes to road trips, and to living with joy and fulfillment, an
average compass is far more valuable than a superior speedometer. As
long as we are moving forward on the right road it is seldom helpful to
fret about the pace. I must admit that I have spoiled many a family trip
over the years by obsessing over how quickly we were “getting there.” </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<ul><li style="font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">“No, we can’t stop and see that. If we do, we’ll never get there.”</span></li><li style="font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">“Yes, I’m sure that would be interesting, but it’s a bit out of the way.”</span></li><li style="font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">“I know you’re hungry, but we have just a couple of hours before we get to our hotel.”</span></li></ul>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">At
this stage of my life, I am trying to remember that worrying over
velocity is a happiness-inhibitor. That’s because the joy is in the
journey, not in “arriving” and absolutely NOT in </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;">arriving sooner</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">. </span>
</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">The
truth is we never do arrive — at least not in this life. Happiness is
in a direction, not a place. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. observed, “The
greatest thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what
direction we are moving.” </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Thus,
while speed doesn’t matter, movement does. The essence of life is
movement. Nehru said, “We live in a wonderful world that is full of
beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can
have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">One
of the keys to a successful life is getting clear about where we are
and where we should be going. “Sharing a clear and concise vision spawns
a sense of purpose and direction.” Farshad Asl. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Thereafter,
we need to check our compass periodically and, if necessary, adjust our
path. From time to time, we need to take our bearings and confirm that
the way we are going is taking us toward our vision and
dreams. Otherwise, as Lao Tzu warned, “if you do not change direction,
you may end up where you are heading.” </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">As
we journey through life, we will reach meaningful milestones from time
to time. Reaching them and acknowledging them re-energizes us and helps
us appreciate our progress. We should celebrate those moments, but we
must resist the temptation to abandon the journey there, thinking we’ve
reached the end of the road. The minute we throw away our compass and
decide that life holds no further adventure for us, we are doomed by our
own self-fulfilling prophecy. We condemn ourselves to a dull and
lifeless existence. “If you think adventure is dangerous, try
routine. It is lethal.” Paulo Coelho.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">As
for myself, I intend to enjoy the journey and relish the adventure. I
aim to love my fellow travelers and help them along the way. I plan to
consult my compass from time to time and move steadily in the direction
of my dreams. I am determined to stay alive my entire life, hopefully
preparing for the great adventure that lies beyond.</span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in; width: 100%;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15pt;" valign="top"><!--[if !mso]>
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Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
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Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-20378693073894638232021-01-13T07:30:00.001-05:002021-01-13T07:30:01.299-05:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: We Can Choose<p class="MsoNormal"> <b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WE CAN CHOOSE</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"There is a tendency among many
shallow thinkers of our day to teach that every human act is a reflex, over
which we do not exercise human control. They would rate a generous deed as
no more praiseworthy than a wink, a crime as no more voluntary than a sneeze.
Such a philosophy undercuts all human dignity. All of us have
the power of choice in action at every moment of our lives.” </span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fulton J. Sheen </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As we travel our life journey, we
make choices, and then we live with the consequences of those
choices. “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In
that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies
our growth and our freedom.” Viktor E. Frankl.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Life does not consist of only a few
major “left turn or right turn” decisions, but of millions of
judgments. Some of those choices are seemingly of little significance,
while others are clearly enormous. But small or large, each decision
leads on to the next and the next after that. In <i>The Road Not
Taken,</i> Robert Frost brilliantly captured the principle that “way leads
on to way” and our available options down the road are defined in sizeable
measure by our previous decisions. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Two roads diverged in a yellow
wood,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And sorry I could not travel both</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And be one traveler, long I stood</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And looked down one as far as I
could</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To where it bent in the
undergrowth;</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then took the other, as just as
fair,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And having perhaps the better
claim,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because it was grassy and wanted
wear;</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Though as for that the passing there</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Had worn them really about the
same,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And both that morning equally lay</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In leaves no step had trodden
black.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh, I kept the first for another
day!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet knowing how way leads on to
way,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I doubted if I should ever come
back.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I shall be telling this with a sigh</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Somewhere ages and ages hence:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Two roads diverged in a wood, and
I—</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I took the one less traveled by,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And that has made all the
difference.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And yet, while we are not likely to
backtrack and return to where the “roads diverged in a yellow wood,” I
rejoice in the fact that we CAN go back — if we so choose — and from there
choose a different path. Previous choices are direction, but they are
NOT destiny. Previous choices have consequences, but those
consequences are NOT immutable. Just as we have the power to choose,
we have the power to CHOOSE AGAIN and to CHOOSE DIFFERENTLY. We can
repent, rebuild, return to love, make restitution, and move on. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In addition, we have the power to
create or reimagine different options that are not naturally presented to
us. In other words, using Robert Frost’s metaphor, we are free not
only to choose one road or another, but we are also free to forge our own
path, to push cross-country through the woods where no road previously
existed. Sometimes the “road less traveled by” is not a road at all,
but merely a break in the underbrush or a game trail that leads to . . .
who knows where. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where it inevitably leads, from my
own experience, is to some grand adventure. And as Helen Keller put
it, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The power to take responsibility
for our choices and the resulting consequences — Stephen R. Covey calls it
being “response-able” — is to me the essence of being alive, fully
alive. I am grateful to understand that I am free to act and not
merely to be acted upon. It is THAT knowledge that has made all the
difference in my life.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
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Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-2347704901894607262020-12-16T06:30:00.000-05:002020-12-16T06:30:02.895-05:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: This Christmas, Something Better Than We Can Imagine<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7977551821galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="yiv7977551821article yiv7977551821editor-col yiv7977551821OneColumnMobile" style="outline: none;" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="yiv7977551821gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="yiv7977551821editor-text yiv7977551821center yiv7977551821headline-text" style="color: #ee5624; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><div class="yiv7977551821text-container yiv7977551821galileo-ap-content-editor"><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">THIS CHRISTMAS, SOMETHING BETTER THAN WE CAN IMAGINE</span></div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="yiv7977551821gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="yiv7977551821editor-text yiv7977551821center-text yiv7977551821content-text" style="display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="yiv7977551821text-container yiv7977551821galileo-ap-content-editor"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“Sometimes what we think we need isn’t what we need at all, and what gets thrown in for good measure is that which fills our hearts.” </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Philip Gulley</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="yiv7977551821gl-contains-image"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7977551821editor-image yiv7977551821content-image yiv7977551821editor-image-vspace-on yiv7977551821editor-image-hspace-on" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="outline: none; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div class="yiv7977551821publish-container"><img alt="" border="0" class="yiv7977551821" hspace="0" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffiles.constantcontact.com%2Ffad8e9d6001%2Faf7ef771-75d5-4b95-8843-c55862241f38.jpg&t=1608093364&ymreqid=243a8f41-cdb9-e132-2f5f-c4000d016b00&sig=B90nLDfthVXAjk0ZYHQOJQ--~D" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; visibility: visible;" vspace="0" width="583" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="yiv7977551821gl-contains-spacer"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7977551821editor-spacer" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="yiv7977551821spacer-container" style="outline: none;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="yiv7977551821spacer-base" style="line-height: 1px; min-height: 1px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 10px;" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimgssl.constantcontact.com%2Fletters%2Fimages%2Fsys%2FS.gif&t=1608093364&ymreqid=243a8f41-cdb9-e132-2f5f-c4000d016b00&sig=HixnXtuqTKX0HjQ6uyYI_g--~D" style="display: block; min-height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7977551821galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="yiv7977551821spacer yiv7977551821editor-col yiv7977551821OneColumnMobile" style="outline: none;" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="yiv7977551821gl-contains-spacer"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7977551821editor-spacer" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="yiv7977551821spacer-container" style="outline: none;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="yiv7977551821spacer-base" style="line-height: 1px; min-height: 1px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 10px;" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimgssl.constantcontact.com%2Fletters%2Fimages%2Fsys%2FS.gif&t=1608093364&ymreqid=243a8f41-cdb9-e132-2f5f-c4000d016b00&sig=HixnXtuqTKX0HjQ6uyYI_g--~D" style="display: block; min-height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7977551821galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="yiv7977551821 yiv7977551821editor-col yiv7977551821OneColumnMobile" style="outline: none;" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="yiv7977551821gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="yiv7977551821editor-text yiv7977551821editor-text " style="display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="yiv7977551821text-container yiv7977551821galileo-ap-content-editor"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">For nearly everyone, Christmas 2020 will probably not look like what we earlier imagined for ourselves. This is not likely to be a “normal” Christmas for most of us.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Some are already grieving or complaining that the virus will keep them apart from loved ones this holiday season. They fear they will miss long-anticipated gatherings due to travel restrictions or safety concerns.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Some are suffering financially. This has been a difficult year for many families, having lost jobs or businesses, or finding that a shrinking national or local economy has reduced their personal income. Many worry that they will not be able to buy the gifts they hoped to give their little ones.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Some have experienced the death or serious illness of family members and friends. My wife Marcie’s mother died in April of Covid-19 contracted in a locked-down nursing home. Our daughter-in-law Hilary’s father succumbed to Lou Gehrig’s disease in September. We will deeply miss sharing Christmas with them this year. Many others we know have suffered similar losses, whether Covid-related or not. These absences will cast a pall over our holidays.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Nearly everyone will be impacted by the loss of festive parties and traditional gatherings in homes, offices, churches, and neighborhoods, as we continue to “socially distance.” Sharing gifts, Christmas hugs, kisses under the mistletoe, and other affectionate greetings will be AWOL this December.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I could go on, but you get the point.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">So, what are we to do? Do we just mope around through the holidays, spewing doom and gloom from now until the new year and beyond? Do we bemoan what we do not have or will not experience, and in the process fail to recognize what can still be ours this Christmas? Will we allow our victimhood to rob us of the joy of the season?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I hope not.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">A few weeks ago, I discovered a jewel of a thought in a Facebook post that could serve to brighten our Christmas spirits. The context was quite different, but the sentiment is the perfect antidote to our communal holiday malaise. I believe it could help us pivot our attitude from negativity to joyful thanksgiving. It could even produce </span><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: underline;">a far better Christmas than we can even imagine</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">My friend Adam Zern is a gifted and highly successful leader of young men in our church. He has guided scores of boys, if not hundreds, in navigating the difficult passage to manhood. Ironically, however, in his own family, he has four daughters and zero sons. This is something he never expected from life. In recently expressing his deep love and gratitude for his children, Adam used a powerful quote from Nathaniel Hawthorne that we all could choose to apply to the upcoming Christmas season. Adam wrote:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Oh, my girls.</span> <span style="color: #050505; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I’m not sure anyone plans to have all girls, but in the words of Nathaniel Hawthorne: </span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“Providence had meditated better things for me than I could possibly imagine for myself.”</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> I do [everything] I do for them. As one who knows, God loves his daughters and counts their tears. I am forever theirs. </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/givethanks?__eep__=6&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVprAMzS_17ROLKm1Dioki1xFeN_W0p8su5vswxTDbVhSpkm4ZYI5ySqdnDaXIJ-KYHAwENw9h_r3Z0SXz0M17OpmdV17nU91YiMmDfzWMOfF7UIA_fJEXHY_OyCc4tv1Q&__tn__=*NK-R" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">#givethanks</a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">.</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7977551821galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="yiv7977551821 yiv7977551821editor-col yiv7977551821OneColumnMobile" style="outline: none;" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="yiv7977551821gl-contains-image"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7977551821editor-image yiv7977551821editor-image yiv7977551821editor-image-vspace-on" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="outline: none; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><div class="yiv7977551821publish-container"><img alt="" border="0" class="yiv7977551821" hspace="0" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffiles.constantcontact.com%2Ffad8e9d6001%2F1f85cdad-fd16-4cc2-91e0-b8ca21e65d07.jpg&t=1608093364&ymreqid=243a8f41-cdb9-e132-2f5f-c4000d016b00&sig=wVMT61dHaTUiDpB.ZVBshA--~D" style="display: block; height: auto !important; max-width: 100%; visibility: visible;" vspace="0" width="317" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7977551821galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="yiv7977551821 yiv7977551821editor-col yiv7977551821OneColumnMobile" style="outline: none;" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="yiv7977551821gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="yiv7977551821editor-text yiv7977551821editor-text " style="display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div class="yiv7977551821text-container yiv7977551821galileo-ap-content-editor"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I invite you to re-read and savor Hawthorne’s words: </span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“Providence had meditated better things for me than I could possibly imagine for myself.”</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">What an earth-shattering idea! Even if we think we know what would be best for us, God may have something EVEN BETTER in mind for us. God’s plans for us or God’s timing for our lives could turn out to be far more wonderful than our own grand expectations. He may actually know what’s best for us.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Do you suppose this concept could revolutionize the way we are thinking about this upcoming Christmas? Here are some questions I want to pose for myself and for all of you:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What if we adopt the “Hawthorne/Zern attitude” regarding our upcoming Christmas?</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What if, instead of lamenting what won’t be, we have faith that </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline;">something better</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> could result for us?</span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What if we re-think and re-configure our holiday plans to seize the opportunities we </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline;">do </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">have?</span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What if we begin to open our eyes to new possibilities, and we began to search for something else, something different, something new, something better?</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What if we trust that “Providence has meditated better things for us than we could possibly imagine for ourselves,” and then we worked to make it so?</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">My friend Nancy Kline often invites her students in quaint British terms to “Think Afresh” about a problem or situation. If we were to “think afresh</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> about this year’s Christmas, what kinds of possibilities might open to us?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;">Thinking afresh, what if this Christmas our present-giving and present-receiving took a back seat to deeper thoughts and more meaningful sharing?</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;">Thinking afresh, what </a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;">if this Christmas we rejoiced in what we do have, rather than grumbled about what we don’t have or — even worse — begrudged others what they have.</span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;">Thinking afresh, what if this Christmas we set aside the time and found the quietude to contemplate what we can do to bring, as the angelic choirs proclaimed, peace on earth and good will to mankind, at least to our little corner of the world?</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;">Thinking afresh, what if this Christmas we, like the shepherds of old, returned to our fields of labor glorifying and praising God for all the things that we have heard and seen and felt?</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;">Thinking afresh, what if this Christmas, after the hubbub has subsided, we, like Mary, kept all these things and pondered them in our hearts?</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;">Thinking afresh, what if this Christmas, by study, meditation, and prayer, we came to truly understand and appreciate the supernal and eternal significance of the virgin birth of the Christ-child in an obscure village in Judea?</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I believe that with a little effort and the right attitude, we can enjoy an incredible Christmas this year, because I have faith that </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“Providence has meditated better things for us than we could possibly imagine for ourselves.” </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS FROM ALL OF US AT SUNBRIDGE!</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0Orlando, FL, USA28.5383355 -81.3792365-1.4979187840105403 -116.5354865 58.574589784010541 -46.222986500000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-47870502392714546572020-11-25T08:00:00.002-05:002020-11-25T08:00:16.583-05:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: The Surprising Power of The Gratitude Question<p class="MsoNormal"> <b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; 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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE SURPRISING
POWER OF THE GRATITUDE QUESTION</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Gratitude is a way for people to
appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in
the hopes it will make them happier, or thinking they can't feel satisfied
until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people
refocus on what they have instead of what they lack." </span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Harvard Medical
School “Healthbeat”<i> </i>newsletter</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><img border="0" class="" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/fad8e9d6001/7dabc5e2-2e6a-4cc2-a1e3-c3404c49a9c9.jpg" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="590" /></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="padding: 7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt;" valign="top">
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upgrading or calming my troubled thoughts.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Years ago, a teacher and leader I
admired taught me a simple method for reining in out-of-control
thoughts. He taught me to sing or hum an uplifting song to myself whenever
I found my mind wandering in unhappy, anxious, discouraging, or
inappropriate paths, or when my thoughts were racing and keeping me from
going to sleep. Amazingly, after only a verse or two, my thinking
would shift into a more positive direction or I would be able to relax and
drift off to sleep.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lately, however, for reasons
unknown to me, singing a song to myself has become less effective than it
used to be. Perhaps the song had become repetitious, perhaps the
neural pathways in my brain were getting older, or perhaps it was something
related to the pandemic. Whatever the cause, my singing technique
wasn’t working as well anymore.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But recently I have come across a
new approach, a different methodology for controlling or quieting my
thoughts.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve been thinking a lot these days
about gratitude, trying to write something appropriate for the Thanksgiving
season. With those ideas floating around in my head, I made an amazing
discovery. I have found that when I can’t sleep or when my mind is
roaming in undesirable directions, I can place myself in a happy, inspiring
place by asking myself one simple question. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #155368; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What Are You Grateful For?</span></b></a></span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I call it The Gratitude Question.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s a simple but effective
query. When I ask myself The Gratitude Question, I find that, without
resistance, my brain glides into thankful, appreciative territory where I
relax and realize how blessed I am. While there, I remember that when
you love what you have, you have everything you need. While there, I
recognize how much I love the people who surround me. While there, I
stop worrying; I stop fretting; I stop yearning for things I don’t
have. I am at peace.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Going to my thankful place by
asking myself <b>“What Are You Grateful For?”</b> completely changes my
spirit and attitude. My eyes are opened to the multitude of blessings
that continually surround me. From that vantage point, I treasure the
words of William Arthur Ward, who wrote: "Gratitude can transform
common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change
ordinary opportunities into blessings."</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This Thanksgiving, despite the
uncertainty and angst swirling around us, I choose to be grateful. I choose
to cherish everyone and everything that blesses my life. I choose to
believe what Melody Beattie said: "Gratitude unlocks the fullness
of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more."</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This Thanksgiving, I’m especially
thankful for my wonderful new super-question: <b>“What Are You Grateful
For?”</b> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perhaps you should try asking
yourself The Gratitude Question and see what happens for you. For me,
it changes everything.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
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Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0Florida, USA27.6648274 -81.5157535-0.64540643617884541 -116.6720035 55.975061236178846 -46.3595035tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-40640823498990784532020-11-11T07:30:00.001-05:002020-11-11T07:30:01.737-05:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: THE POWER OF EMPATHY<p> </p><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f6520c;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE POWER OF EMPATHY</span></b></span></div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f6520c;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“Leadership
is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate to and
connect with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their
lives.” </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Oprah Winfrey</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span>
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<div class="yiv0641064801publish-container"> <img alt="" border="0" class="yiv0641064801" hspace="0" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffiles.constantcontact.com%2Ffad8e9d6001%2Ffde91203-fd8e-4745-b1f8-4f4e4bf7d166.jpg&t=1605066248&ymreqid=243a8f41-cdb9-e132-2f04-92000c01d500&sig=G225fJsEhAhc3lUVUIyFiw--~D" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; visibility: visible;" vspace="0" width="590" />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Over
the past several months, our country has experienced the most
non-empathetic environment I can remember. Everyone has been shouting at
each other and imagining that their rancorous arguing was changing
someone’s mind, when in fact no one was listening and not one person’s
mind was actually changed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">This
is a dangerous place to be. The fabric of our society is fraying due to
these divisions. “I believe empathy is the most essential quality of
civilization,” said Roger Ebert. “The death of human empathy is one of
the earliest and most telling signs of a culture about to fall into
barbarism,” according to Hannah Arendt. Sadly, in this tumult many
friendships and familial relationships have been torn asunder.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I
do not pretend to know how to fix what’s going on in our country, but I
do have an idea about how we might repair schisms on a personal level. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">We
must return to empathy, and it starts with simply being nice to one
another. “The outward expression of empathy is courtesy.” Stewart
Butterfield. Somehow, a lot of folks have come to think that the
challenges and injuries that they have experienced justify their
striking out at others who see life differently. Nothing could be
further from the truth. No one heals themselves by wounding another.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Empathy
isn’t complicated. It starts with a desire to understand another human
being. In the words of C. JoyBell C., “empathy is the ability to step
outside of your own bubble and into the bubbles of other people.”
Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of
another, and feeling with the heart of another. True empathy requires
that you step outside your own emotions to view things from the
perspective of the other person.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I
like the way Brene Brown expressed it: “Empathy is simply listening,
holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and
communicating that incredibly healing message of you’re not
alone.” Unfortunately, most of us aren’t really listening when we think
we are, especially when the other person holds a different viewpoint
from us. “We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen with real
understanding, true empathy. Yet listening, of this very special kind,
is one of the most potent forces for change that I know.” Carl Rogers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">There
are powerful professional advantages to empathy. For example, empathy
is the key to great sales and marketing. An old adage, though somewhat
dated, remains true: "If you want to know what John Smith buys, you must
see the world through John Smith's eyes."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Years
ago, I learned another benefit to empathy in an unlikely setting: law
school. By its nature, the legal profession tends to be adversarial, so
it’s easy to think there is no place for empathy in that world. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Rex
E. Lee, my law school dean, was an extremely effective appellate
attorney. He personally argued 59 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court as
Solicitor General of the United States and in private practice. He
taught his students that empathy would make them better advocates. He
said: “You must fully understand both sides of the question before the
court. If you can’t articulate your opponent’s side of the case as
readily as your own, you really don’t know the strength or weakness of
your own position.” His counsel has helped me in numerous situations
over the past 40 years.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Are
you looking for a wonderful way to create empathy in a one-to-one
setting? Here’s a great idea from one of my favorite authors, Stephen R.
Covey. He espoused the idea of the Native American talking stick as a
way to listen empathically. In his book, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Seven Habits of Highly Effective People</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">, he describes this technique: </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">The
idea is that only the person holding the stick gets to make their point
and they continue to speak on this point until they feel they have been
fully understood by the listener. The other person is only permitted to
speak insofar as they need to clarify what they’ve heard, or to
demonstrate that they have understood the speaker. Before stating his or
her own point, Person #2 must restate Person #1’s position to Person
#1’s satisfaction. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Once
that has occurred, Person #2 may state his or her own position, and
Person #1 in turn must restate Person #2’s position to Person #2’s
satisfaction before the conversation may move forward. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">As
soon as Person #2 feels they had been understood, they pass the talking
stick back to Person #1. After this occurs, Person #1 can begin again
to explain their current thoughts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Covey’s
Indian Talking Stick principle is a powerful communication device for
resolving disagreements and for exploring the possibility that there may
be a superior answer that neither one of them held before. The best way
forward may not be “your way” or “my way,” but a third way that arises
from truly listening to and understanding each other. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Whether
we use Covey’s talking stick approach, or we just slow down and start
really listening to each other — even those we disagree with — we
urgently need to find more empathy, individually and as a nation. I pray
we can.</span></div>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0Unnamed Road, Florida, USA26.3332884 -80.6861906-0.29426841242796442 -115.8424406 52.960845212427969 -45.5299406tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-74641901580871828462020-10-28T07:30:00.001-04:002020-10-28T07:30:04.062-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: What Makes a Gift "Great"? - Part 2: Giving More with Less<p> <!--[if !mso]>
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</p><p><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">WEDNESDAY WISDOM: What Makes a Gift "Great"? </span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 2: Giving More with Less</span></span></b></span><br />
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505980284;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i></b></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505980284;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“You give but little when you give of your
possessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is when you give of
yourself that you truly give.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Kahlil Gibran</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <br /></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MT4urBBMe08/X5jy34xve4I/AAAAAAAACeE/KLKbWybRcycL3w0tEMHPeFJmdiUOmTXzACNcBGAsYHQ/s754/Bible%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="603" height="423" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MT4urBBMe08/X5jy34xve4I/AAAAAAAACeE/KLKbWybRcycL3w0tEMHPeFJmdiUOmTXzACNcBGAsYHQ/w338-h423/Bible%2B1.png" width="338" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">
</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">As an estate planning attorney, I
have from time to time been privy to, and in some cases a facilitator of, some
very substantial charitable gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
applaud the generosity of those who make such gifts, and I appreciate the
tremendous good they accomplish.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">But my deepest fascination in the
world of charitable giving is with people who have relatively little and yet
make meaningful, life-altering gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Oseola McCarty story is a prominent example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another is the widow and her two mites in the New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had always pictured that woman as being elderly
and alone, until I encountered another depiction — that of a <u>young</u> widow
with her brood of small children who, in Jesus’ words, “cast more in, than all
they which have cast into the treasury” because she donated “all she had.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The image above definitely changed the way I
looked at that event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whatever her
age or circumstances, her story has touched millions of hearts over the
centuries.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is another tender account of
a destitute widow in the Bible, this one from the Book of First Kings in the
Old Testament, who also “cast in all the living that she had.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That woman, known as the widow of <a name="_Hlk54171929">Zarephath</a>, likewise showed exceptional faith and
generosity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, she demonstrated
that <b><u>rendering service is another way to make a Great Gift</u></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Her husband had died, and she and her
son faced the grim reality of starving to death, victims of a long, grueling famine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was making a small piece of bread for her
son and herself with her last bit of flour and oil, and then afterwards they
would lie down together to die.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Into this tragic setting the Lord
sent the prophet Elijah, himself starving from hunger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked the widow to make the bread and give
it to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted her not only to
donate her remaining flour and oil, but also to actually bake the loaf for
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scripture recounts that she did
as asked and gave away her last morsel of food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In response to her gift and her service, she was blessed miraculously —
she never ran out of flour and oil during the remainder of the drought.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BT3R8jh6loU/X5j0Qg0y0BI/AAAAAAAACeM/QD1XsOr4jbso9r9m7hwEh9rwwTYlsyO4QCNcBGAsYHQ/s586/Bible%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="586" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BT3R8jh6loU/X5j0Qg0y0BI/AAAAAAAACeM/QD1XsOr4jbso9r9m7hwEh9rwwTYlsyO4QCNcBGAsYHQ/w388-h291/Bible%2B2.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This story illustrates the
principle that giving of ourselves can magnify — or even supersede — giving our
financial resources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our monetary donations
are far more powerful when they are accompanied by gifts of our time, talents,
and physical labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or even if we have
no money to give, we can give our service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The widow of Zarephath baked a small loaf for a hungry man of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The little drummer boy in the Christmas
carol, who thought he had no gift to give that was fit for a king, played his
drum for the Christ Child, playing his best for him. I like to think of these
offerings as a form of “philanthropic sweat equity.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">When we render service for a worthy
cause, what is best for us to give?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Each of us has certain
capabilities and skills that can be considered our Unique Abilities, things
we’re really good at and that seem to flow easily for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These talents feel natural to us and we enjoy
doing them. Sometimes when we’re using these gifts, we feel energized and more
alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we’re operating in our
natural areas of strength, our “philanthropic sweat equity” donations of time
and effort can have far greater impact than our normal efforts. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My friends Yale Levey and
Ryan Ponsford of Gateway for Good and Main Street Philanthropy have catalogued 16
useful talents or skills that can leverage or amplify a person’s service to a charitable
organization, beyond money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do any of
these Unique Abilities apply to you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could
you make a significant difference for your favorite causes or charities by
giving in some of these ways?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am a <b>helper</b>. When I volunteer my time, talents or
treasure, I am living my higher purpose. <br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I am a <b>listener</b>. I get energized when talking to new people
and hearing their stories.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am a <b>professional</b>. I enjoy sharing my experience,
business acumen, and wisdom with others.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am a <b>connector</b>. I make introductions and help new
relationships thrive.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am a <b>creator</b>. I recognize the need for tools or processes
that make things better.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am an <b>influencer</b>. I can describe a vision and people
follow my lead.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am a <b>craftsman</b>. I enjoy doing projects and working with
my hands</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am a <b>teacher</b>. I have a unique ability to communicate in a
way that people can understand.</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am a <b>host(ess)</b>. When people get together, I provide an
environment for the best experience.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am a <b>great story teller</b>. I can hear a story and re-tell
it in an energizing and compelling way.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am great with <b>technology</b>. If you need help with your tech
issues, I’m the one.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am <b>artistic</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
create visual images that touch people and move them to action.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am <b>available</b>. I make time to be available and I’m happy
to apply my time in ways in which I can be of most value.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am an <b>organizer</b>. I enjoy ensuring everything has a place
and is well organized.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am a <b>facilitator</b>. I have a skill for helping others think
through issues and come to conclusions.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am <b>imaginative</b>. I like to find creative ways to express
information or deliver messages. <br /></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Can you find your unique talents,
skills, and strengths in this list?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when
you do, how can you benefit your favorite charities more effectively by focusing
your service in the areas of your greatest strength? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">When we serve using our unique
abilities, we can make miracles happen. The desperately poor widow of Zarephath
combined service in her unique area of skill — baking bread — with a miniscule
donation of flour and oil. With no money but with an enormous endowment of
faith and service, she blessed both the prophet Elijah and her family,
immediately and long term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">We can make exceptional gifts to
the charities of our choice when we give of ourselves, using our <a name="_Hlk54593458">unique talents, skills, and strengths</a>, EVEN WHEN WE
HAVE LITTLE OR NO MONEY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I wrote in
my previous Wednesday Wisdom article, “the dollar amount of our charitable
gifts doesn’t matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What makes a gift
GREAT is not its size, but its character.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I challenge all of us to identify our personal
gifts and talents, and then give them away in a cause greater than
ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shakespeare wrote: “The meaning of life
is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, giving more with less is the key to miraculous
gifts and lasting joy.</span></p>
Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0Florida, USA27.6648274 -81.5157535-0.64540643617884541 -116.6720035 55.975061236178846 -46.3595035tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-6853077003370472222020-10-07T07:00:00.008-04:002020-10-07T07:44:13.516-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: What Makes a Gift "Great"?<p> <!--[if !mso]>
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Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 18pt;">WHAT MAKES A GIFT "GREAT"?</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 18pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 14pt;"> <b><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> </span></i></b> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 12pt;">"Not what we give,
but what we share--</span></b></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 12pt;">For the gift without the
giver is bare;</span></b></i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 12pt;">Who gives himself with his
alms feeds three:</span></b></i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 12pt;">Himself, his hungering
neighbor, and me."</span></b></i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 12pt;">James Russell Lowell</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="406" hspace="5" id="_x0000_i1025" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.485" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/fad8e9d6001/0fae39ce-f954-4436-bbae-a2792086c0ed.jpg" vspace="5" width="406" /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">There are good gifts; there are
better gifts; and there are Great Gifts. What distinguishes a Great Gift from
an average or even wonderful gift? What converts a charitable gift into the
"Great" category? </span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Two very dear friends, Ryan
Ponsford and Yale Levey, recently challenged me to ponder those questions. They
shared some of their own musings on this topic and invited me to add my ideas
to theirs. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Ryan and Yale are two of the
biggest dreamers and doers I know. They continue to spearhead the Main Street
Philanthropy work I began with them several years ago, and they are now
developing an online platform to take MSP concepts to a vastly expanded
audience, all with the mission of using philanthropy to unite a divided world. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Working with and building on Ryan
and Yale's excellent thoughts on the subject, here is my answer to their query,
What Makes a Gift "Great"?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">A Great Gift is
Transformative.</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> It changes the heart and life of the giver. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">A Great Gift is Impactful.</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> It
produces a measurable difference in the recipient person, cause, or
organization. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">A Great Gift is Compelling.</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> It
motivates others to make similar gifts. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">A Great Gift is Fulfilling.</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> It
satisfies long-held and deeply-felt longings of the giver. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">A Great Gift is Organic.</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> It springs
seamlessly from the life lessons and passions of the giver. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">A Great Gift is Narrative.</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> It
expresses and reinforces the central storyline of the giver's personal
experiences. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">A Great Gift is Empowering.</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> It
leverages and multiplies the giver's unique skills, strengths, and capacity. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">A Great Gift is Inspired. </span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">It flows
from wisdom and personal guidance from a higher power. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">A Great Gift is Integrated.</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> It meshes
with the giver's overall planning objectives and opportunities. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">A Great Gift is Connective.</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> It binds
together the giver and the recipient person, cause, or organization.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">As I pondered this subject, my
memory went back to one of the greatest gifts I know, one made by Oseola
McCarty to the University of Southern Mississippi. This is what I wrote several
years ago under the title <b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">"Oseola
McCarty: The Rest of the Story."</span></b> As you read it, compare
my list of qualities of a great gift with her giving experience. </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"></span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Oseola McCarty, an African American
washerwoman from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, single-handedly changed the
definition of philanthropy at the University of Southern Mississippi. Here's
the inside story of her amazing donation. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">[Personal note: I was a professor
of business law at the University of Southern Mississippi in the mid-1980s and
later was associated with USM Foundation's Estate Planning Advisory Board. I
was also Vice-President and Trust Officer at Trustmark National Bank in the
late 1980s, where I was acquainted with some of the participants in this
story.] <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">In 1995, at the age of 87, Oseola
McCarty had a problem. This simple, hardworking lady had saved and
penny-pinched her way to an estate worth over $200,000 and she wasn't sure what
to do with it. The tellers at Trustmark National Bank sent her to see Paul
Laughlin, the bank's assistant vice-president and trust officer. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Listening to her story, Paul
learned that Oseola had washed and ironed other people's clothes all her life
for ten cents a pound until she "retired" at age 86 due to arthritis
in her hands. She had never married and never had any children. Most of
"her people" had passed away earlier, so she needed some advice on
what to do with her life savings. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Paul, recognizing her lack of
formal education, used a masterful approach to uncover her deeply-held
passions. He took out 10 dimes and spread them on the coffee table in front of
her. "Miss Oseola," he said, "show me with the dimes what you
want to do with your money." <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">"Well," she began,
picking up the first dime, "I've always believed in tithing, so this one's
got to go to the church." <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">"And I've got two nieces and a
nephew I want to help," she continued, picking up three more dimes.
"These are for them." Then she hesitated. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">"And what about the
rest?" Paul queried. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">She studied Paul as if to see if
she could trust him, smiled nervously, took a deep breath, and said, "You
know, I always wanted to be a teacher. But my auntie got sick when I was in the
sixth grade, and she didn't have anybody to take care of her. I stopped going
to school to tend her, and I was never able to go back. After she died, I was
too far behind, so I just kept working, washing and ironing and saving my
money. So, I never got to be a teacher." <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Her eyes filled with tears. She
paused and looked away, then composed herself and went on. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">"But I understand the college
in town helps black kids become teachers. I want to help them."</span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> "You mean the University of
Southern Mississippi?" Paul asked. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">"Yes, that's the one,"
she replied. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">"What do you know about the
University of Southern Mississippi, Miss Oseola?" <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">"Actually, I've never even
seen the place. It's too far to walk and I never owned a car. But I understand
they help black kids become teachers. I'm too old to do it myself, but I'd like
to help some of them become teachers." <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Paul wisely recognized that she
would have needs during the rest of her lifetime, so he helped her set up a
charitable remainder trust. The fund provided income to her during her
lifetime, then at her passing went to the University of Southern Mississippi to
pay for scholarships for black students in education. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Paul also realized that sometimes,
the story about a gift can be more valuable than the gift itself. He got her
permission to tell the University about her donation. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">News of that gift hit the
University of Southern Mississippi and the town of Hattiesburg like a Category
Five hurricane. The whole community was electrified! A lot of people with a
whole lot more money than Oseola McCarty looked at themselves and asked,
"Wow, if a local washerwoman can do something like that, what's wrong with
me?" <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Long before she died and her
$150,000 gift passed to the University, there were millions of dollars in the
Oseola McCarty Scholarship Fund, helping to fund scholarships for needy black
students in education. Her gift changed hundreds of lives. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">It changed her life too. This
humble little lady finally saw with her own eyes the University of Southern
Mississippi, where they awarded her the first honorary degree in the history of
the school. She saw the whole country. She saw the White House-from the inside,
where President Clinton awarded her the Presidential Citizen's Medal and scores
of other humanitarian honors. Harvard University awarded her an honorary
doctorate and she won the United Nations' coveted Avicenna Medal for
educational commitment. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">She later wrote a book filled with
her simple, homespun wisdom. See a copy of the cover above. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Through it all, she retained her
grace and humility. "I can't do everything," she said, "but I
can do something to help somebody. And what I can do, I will do. I just wish I
could do more." <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Comparing Oseola's gift with my
outline of what makes a gift great, it's easy to see that what she did was the
epitome of GREATNESS! Bless you, Oseola, for setting such a marvelous example
for so many. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">And what about our own charitable
gifts and donations? How do they measure up? I'm not talking about the dollar
amount, because that doesn't matter. What makes a gift GREAT is not its size,
but its character. Here are some questions we can ask ourselves that can help
us evaluate our gifts and hopefully guide us to put more heart into our giving:</span></p>
<ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Does giving this
gift change me? </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Does it make a
significant difference for the recipient? </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Does it motivate
others to make similar gifts? </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Does it satisfy my
own deep-seated yearnings? </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Does it spring
seamlessly from my passions? </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Does it express
the central storyline of my life?</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Does it leverage
my unique abilities?</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Does it flow from
divine guidance?</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Is it in harmony
with my overall planning?</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Does it bind me
with the recipient?</span></li></ul>
Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414435412536237450.post-5178725105069046552020-09-16T07:30:00.001-04:002020-09-16T07:30:04.019-04:00WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Thank a Teacher<p> </p><div class="FeatureHeadingText" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 18pt;"><strong>THANK A TEACHER </strong></span></div>
<div class="FeatureHeadingText" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #ee5624; font-size: 18pt;"><strong> </strong></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">
<div style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><em>"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others." </em></strong>Mustafa Kemal Ataturk</div>
<strong><em> </em></strong></span>
<div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong> </strong></em> </span></div>
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<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span> <img border="0" height="586" hspace="5" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.484" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/fad8e9d6001/28beb4bc-dfeb-40c7-a0c3-f71eaeb7cec7.jpg" vspace="5" width="393" /> </span></div>
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</em>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>Without
a doubt, these are challenging times for teachers. Besides their role
in imparting knowledge, teaching thinking skills, and assisting each
child to become exceptional in his or her own way, this year they are
playing a critical role in helping our world return to something close
to normal. In this Wednesday Wisdom, I want to thank one of my most
memorable teachers, and in doing so, express gratitude to millions of
other teachers who daily wade into the deep waters of our children's
education. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>I was profoundly blessed by many teachers and coaches in my 19 years of formal education. One who had the greatest impact was</span> <span>J.B. Varnell, my English teacher during my senior year of high school. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>Due
to our family's tenuous financial situation, my attending college in
the fall was heavily dependent on securing a scholarship. The key
scholarship required that I write an essay about influential people in
my life. I wrote the essay and asked Mr. Varnell if he would check the
spelling and grammar. He took it and said he would review it and get
back to me.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>The
next day, Mr. Varnell said, "Scott, I think you've done a pretty good
job with this, but I see something that concerns me. I don't think I've
done as good a job as I would like to have done in teaching you how to
write for college. Why don't you come back after school and we'll work
on your writing skills." </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>That
afternoon, I learned that he was not content to merely correct the
spelling and grammar of my essay, or even to help me revise it. His plan
was to give me an extended one-to-one tutorial on how to write at the
college level. For the next <span style="text-decoration: underline;">week</span>,
we met every day before school, at lunch, and after school, while he
instructed me on the finer points of expository writing. Then he sent me
out on my own to rewrite the essay. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>What
I did not appreciate at the time was that he was doing all this on his
personal time, time when he could have been working on his own projects,
hanging out in the teachers' lounge, or going home to be with his own
family. There was no added pay for his service to me, no reward for him
other than the joy of helping a needy student better prepare for the
future. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>After
I rewrote the essay, I brought it back and we reviewed it together. Mr.
Varnell was beaming when he read the final version. It sharply
highlighted my strengths and life experiences, making the case for why I
deserved the scholarship. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>I
submitted the essay and my application to the scholarship committee and a
few weeks later I received some very good news: I was awarded the
scholarship. It covered FULL TUITION for FOUR YEARS. Thank you, Mr.
Varnell. What an amazing blessing you gave me!</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>But securing the scholarship was only the beginning of the impacts of Mr. Varnell's gift. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>When
I went to college that fall, like all new students, I took a placement
test to determine which freshman English class I would register for -
remedial, average or advanced. Having attended a little Podunk high
school in desolate Kirtland, New Mexico, I worried that I wouldn't test
well and would be relegated to the remedial track, or what we students
affectionately called "dumbbell English." </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>To
my surprise and thanks again to Mr. Varnell's tutelage, I tested into
Advanced Freshman English. That turned out to be a major learning
opportunity for me. It was primarily an intense and accelerated writing
class taught by a full professor. The competition was extremely keen. At
the end of the semester, the professor gave only one A in that class.
It may have been on my report card, but I felt it really belonged to Mr.
Varnell. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>A
few years later I went to law school. I fully attribute my admission
into law school, my eventual appointment as Managing Editor of the
Brigham Young University Law Review, and my completion and publication
of two professional scholarly articles during law school to that
marvelous one-to-one tutorial I received in high school during those
extra-curricular sessions with Mr. Varnell. His sacrifice on my behalf
set the stage for my professional success. For me, his generosity was
the gift that kept on giving.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>* * * * *</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>It
is interesting to me how life sometimes has a way of coming back around.
In 1999, a few months after moving to Orlando, I got a telephone call
from a young man named Steve Lee. I didn't know Steve, because he had
been away at college since our arrival in Orlando, but I knew his
parents from church. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>He said, "Hello, Mr. Farnsworth, this is Steve Lee. I am Dan and June Lee's son. I'm home for a few weeks on spring break." </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> "Oh, nice to meet you," I said. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>"I understand, Mr. Farnsworth, that you are an attorney." </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>"That's true," I replied. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>"I understand that attorneys know how to write fairly well." </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>"We think we do, I guess." </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>"Well,
I need some help. I'm applying to medical school, and I have to submit
an essay as part of my application. I've written an essay about why I
want to go to medical school. I need to complete it during spring break.
I wonder if you would be so kind as to check the spelling and grammar."
</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>A
big lump came up in my throat. You already know who I was thinking about
- J.B. Varnell. That was the same request I had made of him back in the
spring of 1970: "Will you please check the spelling and grammar?"</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>Even
though I was incredibly busy during the next two weeks, I could not
merely check Steve Lee's spelling and grammar. Instead, Steve and I
spent many hours together as I gave him pointers on how to create the
best possible essay. By the time we finished, he had written an essay
that we were both pleased for him to submit to the medical school
admissions committee. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>A
couple of months later, I received another phone call from Steve Lee.
"Hi, Mr. Farnsworth, guess what? I've got great news. I've been accepted
at the medical school at Washington University in St. Louis. Thank you
so much for your help with my application essay." </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>Today,
Dr. Steve Lee is a pain management specialist at Ochsner Medical Center
in New Orleans. Dr. Lee completed his medical training at Washington
University, then went on to perform an internship at Tufts University
and a residency at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>As I
said, these things have a way of coming back around. Now I am wondering
who will be asking Dr. Steve Lee for his help with their application.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span> </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span>This
wonderful thread of giving service and then paying it forward leads
back to an unselfish high school English teacher in Kirtland, New
Mexico, who was willing to take the time from his own busy life to tutor
an unpolished student writer and equip him with the tools of success.
Thank you, Mr. Varnell, for making such an enormous difference in my
life. And thank you also to millions of other teachers who every day
make such a huge difference in the lives of their young students.</span></div>Scott Farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02412292437022425422noreply@blogger.com0Orlando, FL, USA28.5383355 -81.37923650.37967015299233253 -116.53548649999999 56.697000847007665 -46.222986500000012