THIS WEEK’S THEME: FINAL THOUGHT “DESIDERATA” BY MAX EHRMANN

Regarding the terrible events that took place in South Carolina, I will just say that this kid is as dumb as dumb can be and there are just too many other kids and adults just like him. Plus, I understand in China parents are treated like their children. If the children earn respect, than the parent is accorded that same level of respect. If the child deserves no respect or worse, so is the fate of the parents. So why did the parents permit this dummy to be so darn dumb. I suspect he could have been stopped way sooner, when he was very young if the parents did a respectable job of raising their little monster. This was a crime against all people of good will. I have no forgiveness in me for acts this terrible against innocent people just trying to be good people.

 

Unrelated to the above, I learned Friday that a good friend of mine died that morning.  He was Bryant Greene and he was extraordinary in every sense of the word because he was simply one of the best people you could ever hope to meet.  Consequently, this week’s posting is going to be different and I will return to the usual format next week.

Here is a department photo taken a long time ago of us celebrating meeting our department goal for the year.  Interestingly, Bryant (the fellow on the right) wasn’t part of our department, but he was such a good friend to all of us and helped us to reach our goal that he had to be including in our photo.

I thought Bryant was such an excellent example of what leadership should be like, that I named one of the bosses in the film “Smokers Choice” – Bryant Greene.  

In another film, “Perceptions”, Bryant actually played the boss in the film.

In “Perceptions”, we actually held table top rehearsals; however, the film never received much play.

But it was still fun to make a film and we had a few back yard celebrations.

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Source: Max Ehrmann, Desiderata

 

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