On This Day

Who is the author of these encouraging words? Why many insightful serious thoughts are by Author Unknown? Do we have a very short memory for what is GOOD, and forever remember EVIL?

 

On This Day

On this day: fight for a principle.

Express your gratitude.

Overcome an old fear.

Take two minutes to appreciate the beauty of nature.

Tell someone you love them.

Tell them again … and again.

On this day: write a letter to someone who misses you.

Encourage a youth who has lost faith.

Keep a promise.

Forget an old grudge.

Examine your demands on others and vow to reduce them.

On this day: mend a quarrel.

Search out a forgotten friend.

Dismiss a suspicion, and replace it with trust.

                     __________________
                            ____________
                                    ____

Beauty vs. Obstacle

 

“To some people a tree is something so incredibly beautiful that it brings tears to the eyes. To others it is just a green thing that stands in the way.” ~ William Blake

Can you help the poor by destroying the rich?

"You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves." The quote on the calendar did not mention the author. 

The words intrigued me enough to search for a person who said it. Thankfully, Daily Celebrations site offers a clear answer with interesting details. There I learned that, at times, William J.H. Boetcker's quotations were erroneously credited by some to President Abraham Lincoln.

Presbyterian minister William J.H. Boetcker (1873-1962) was born in Hamburg, Germany. He lectured around the United States about the hard work and character that leads to success. 

In 1916 he published a motivational pamphlet "Ten Cannots." Not surprisingly, almost a century  later, Boetcker's wisdom is especially relevant. He also came up with "Seven National Crimes." Almost 100 years later, Boetcker's wisdom still applies. According to the Wikipedia, Rev. Boetcker was raised in Erie, Pennsylvania and ordained in Brooklyn, New York.

"He was an eloquent motivational speaker, and is often regarded today as the forerunner of such contemporary "success coaches" as Anthony Robbins." ~ Wikipedia

• You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
• You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
• You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
• You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
• You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
• You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
• You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
• You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
• You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.
• And you cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.

"Seven National Crimes."

1. I don’t think.
2. I don’t know.
3. I don’t care.
4. I am too busy.
5. I leave well enough alone.
6. I have no time to read and find out.
7. I am not interested.

"Never mind what others do. Do better than yourself, beat your own record from day to day, and you are a success."

~ William J. H. Boetcker (1873-1962)

Arthur Schopenhauer about Conformism

'We forfeit three-fourths of ourselves in order to be like other people.' ~ Arthur Schopenhauer

THE FREEMAN

"Freedom rests, and always will, on individual responsibility, individual integrity, individual effort, individual courage, and individual religious faith. It does not rest in Washington. It rests with you and me."

~ Ed Lipscomb, quoted in THE FREEMAN, 7/72.

"What together we can do for the freedom of man?"

  Q:   Why the second part of the quote is rarely, if at all, quoted?

"And so, my fellow Americans:  ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.  My fellow citizens of the World:  ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."

John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963), Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961

Conscience

I’m just his father, Elisa,  not his conscience. A man’s life ain’t worth beans except he lives up to his own conscience. I’ve got to give Josh that chance.

~ Gary Cooper as Jess Birdwell in William Wyler’s “Friendly Persuasion.”