Simple Thoughts

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

We should learn from the past, but we shouldn't live in it.

We can't change what's happened, but we can influence what's going to happen.

Try to shape the future into being the best it can be. 

Take a step back and see the bigger picture.

What we can't find might be right in front of us. 

The cost of making money shouldn't come at the expense of what's important. 

Money is a protection, but it can also be damaging.  

Life is a gift if we keep our eye simple.

Things that are truly valuable are not complex. 

Where Did These Things Come From?

See if you can identify who originated these.

Traitor: One who betrays a friend or belief. It describes someone who violates a fundamental trust or allegiance. 

Application: The one who went against his loving Maker and became a rebel. 

Influencer: Due to perceived authority, they hold the power to influence the opinions and behavior of others.

Application: Convinced one of the first two humans that joining the rebellion was beneficial.

Fake News: False or misleading information presented as legitimate, intentionally created to deceive others for personal gain. 

Application: The promise of a better life for the listener proved to be quite the opposite. So too, the assurance that death would not result. This fake news only benefited the one behind it. 

Summary: Today, the same deceptions are coming from that first traitor and people are still being deceived. It's being done subtly and for many, imperceptibly. Why change a successful strategy? But do we have to be deceived? 

Did you work out who was the originator of these things? Not too hard a quiz, but the import is worth reflecting on. 

Note: Influencers today may or may not be beneficial. 

Observations

Appreciating the wonderful world around us has a calming effect on our soul. 

If there is one thing worse than not being clever, it is thinking that you are.

Rebelliousness is destabilising. Mindless conformity is too easily manipulated. 

Intelligence needs to be moderated by humility if it is to be of true value.

Troubles are inevitable, self pity is optional.

Romantic love should never be taken for granted, as it can be lost too easily. 

True contentment is being satisfied even if some of our needs or desires are not met.

I Wouldn't Say...But...

I wouldn't say I am a bad singer....

...but the local bar manager likes me singing Karaoke just before closing. It clears out the stragglers.

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I wouldn't say my brother-in-law has a big house....

....but once the painters have finally finished painting it, they have to start over again.

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I wouldn't say that my mother-in-law is a bad cook....

....but I can see why the family prays before eating.

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I wouldn't say my father-in-law is a heavy snorer....

....but the bleary eyed neighbours have nicknamed him Chainsaw.

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I wouldn't say my wife is demanding...

...but when I offer to make her a coffee, she says she wants an instant one.

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I wouldn't say my Polish neighbours aren't getting on but....

...their loud arguments do indicate they are poles apart.

Sayings That Never Quiet Made It

Sayings are a concise way to say something that paints a word picture in our minds and then drives home a salient point. What are some sayings that could have made it but didn't?

Pic: Giallo Zafferano

1) Don't put all your eggs in one omelette.

Sounds OK but if you haven't got many eggs you may have to use them all. It didn't crack the popular list.

2) Four eyes are better than two.

The more people looking for something the better but the connotation with someone wearing spectacles may have clouded people's vision.  

3) People who live in glass houses need good curtains.

Hiding behind objects while undressing would be a pain.

4) Fortune favours those that save well.

A brave effort but unfortunately never found favour. 

5) Honesty is the softest pillow.

An honest person will have a good conscience but for some reason, a sleeper.

6) If you can't beat them, then you had better run fast.

Sound advice but one that got away.

7) The early bird gets the burnt toast.

It just didn't worm its way into our hearts.

8) When in Rome, do as the tourists do.

Well, that's what most visitors do anyway when they roam around the city.

9) The journey of a thousand miles starts with a prod on the accelerator.

It probably would have taken off on but feet were around long before cars were.    

10) Nothing succeeds like a budgerigar.

It had potential but never took flight. 

Stating The Obvious

Is the pope a catholic? 

Is the sky blue?

Do one-legged ducks swim in circles? 

Does Donald Trump shoot from the hip?

Can fish swim?

Are polar bears white?

Do the Japanese bow?

Do rats desert sinking ships?

Does an Octopus have eight limbs?

Can dogs bark?

Do Russians drink vodka?

Does the sun shine?

Does Switzerland have mountains?

Do the French drink wine?

Do Mexicans wear sombreros?

Does it snow in Canada?

Do the Finns like saunas?

Can kangaroos hop?

The 'Why' Person

Ours is not to reason why, ours is but to do or die.

The 'Why' person needs to know why. You would think that is a basic human wish, to understand the reason behind something. In reality, there are less of them around than one would imagine. This becomes apparent if you try to exercise this desire.

I recall at school wondering in what sort of job a certain thing we were learning would be used in. I asked the teacher, then saw this quizzical look come across her face. It was soon replaced with a flustered, irritated one. The terse response was approximately along the lines of "Never mind about that, just learn it". I realised she had been trained to teach a subject of which she had no idea how it could be applied.

When dealing with people in customer service situations it surprises me how many are only trained to answer standard questions but not understand 'why'. That becomes apparent if one doesn't accept textbook answers but asks additional questions. If I'm saying or doing something, I want to know why. It reminds me of the story that can be read by clicking here.

Governments like compliant citizens who obey without question. Soldiers are not encouraged to question anything. Companies are too often found deficient when it comes to staff training. However, humans are endowed with an amazing mind and a desire to understand things. If we find we don't ask questions very often, is it because we have become too passive? How about thinking more about the meaning behind things. Become a 'Why' person!

The Pessimist

The pessimist sees the bad in everything and while it's understandable at times, if such feelings persist, then the attitude in itself becomes a problem. So how does such a person think?




Things are going well right now? Yeah, well this is just the calm before the next big storm.

Have you ever been at a party with a drink in your hand and no one to talk to? Well, it happens to me all the time.

If we look after our health, we can then look forward to being old, longer.

Some people hate Monday, but I don't know why it's worse than any other day.

They say money talks. I know mine does. It says "Goodbye".

We need the good times to remind us how terrible the bad times really are.

I hate spring because it reminds me of the hot summer to follow. I can't stand autumn either because I know winter will soon be here.

My glass would only be half full because I would have spilled the other half down the front of my new shirt. I can see it now.

Why am I the one to sit on the park bench and on a piece of freshly chewed gum?

I have got to have a 'plan b' because 'plan a' will never work. Mind you, 'plan b' probably won't work either.

Five Top Regrets

Bonnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She recorded their dying epiphanies in a blog called Inspiration and Chai, which she later put her observations into a book called 'The Top Five Regrets of the Dying'. Ware writes of the phenomenal clarity of vision that people gain at the end of their lives, and how we might learn from their wisdom. "When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently," she says, "common themes surfaced again and again."

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

"This was the most common regret of all. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made."

2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

"This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence."

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

"Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result."

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

"Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved."

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

"Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again."

So True....

That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while. If they have the courage to apologise, then why not forgive them.

That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

That true friendship can continue to grow, even over the longest distance, as long as you nurture it.

You can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

You cannot have a friend of someone you do not trust.

You should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

That we are responsible for what we do. Either we control our attitude or it controls us.

That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

Sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

When I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how old you are.

It isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

That your life can suddenly be changed by people who don't even know you.

Even when you think you have no more to give, when someone you love cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

Interesting Angles

It's not about making someone look good, but providing the support so that they can be good.

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Gossip is like a landslide. It gets out of control quickly and does nothing but damage.

Being charming is winsome but can be shallow. However, kindness comes from deep within us.

Is the price of venison in the supermarket dear?

Some people are like clouds. When they move on its a bright, sunny day.

Following the crowd is easy. It's not easy to go against the tide.

My Creator isn't on Twitter, but I still follow Him.

Funny, but I'm the only person who doesn't seem to need therapy.

I don't make the same mistake twice...its many more times than that.

If you can't laugh at your mistakes, that's OK. Others will laugh for you.

Rules To Live Your Life By

Indecision is the key to flexibility.

Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings; they did it by killing all those who opposed them.

Doing the job RIGHT the first time gets the job done. Doing the job WRONG fourteen times gives you job security.

Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid altogether.

Teamwork means never having to take all the blame yourself.

Aim low, reach your goals and avoid disappointment.

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

A closed mouth gathers no foot.

I don't suffer from stress, I am a carrier.

A pat on the back is only a few inches from a kick up the rear.

Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.

If it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would get done.

On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the escape key.

If you’re good you will be assigned all the work. If you’re really good, you will get out of it.

You can go anywhere you want if you look serious and carry a clipboard.


I've always wanted to be somebody, but maybe I should have been more specific.

Texas Sayings

Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day.

If you find yourself in a hole the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

It don't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.

If you’re thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

Don't worry about bitin' off more than you can chew. Your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger'n you think.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier 'n puttin' it back.


The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.

Thoughts For The Day...

Birds of a feather flock together...and poo on your car.

If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

Don't assume malice for what stupidity can explain.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

He who hesitates is probably right.

If you think there is good in everybody, then you haven't met everybody. (I don't believe this but hey, many do).

Things To Ponder

For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.

I know you may think you know what I said, but I'm not sure that you realize that what you think I said is not really what I meant.

People are more violently opposed to fur than to leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs.

The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.

We have enough youth. How about a fountain of Smart?

Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some abuse that right.

I am a nobody, and nobody is perfect; therefore, I am perfect.

Every time I walk into a singles bar I can hear Mom's wise words: "Don't pick that up, you don't know where it's been."

Logical Musings

I had amnesia once -- or twice.

Protons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic.

All I ask is for a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.

Why is it not men who ride horses sidesaddle?

What is a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?

They told me I was gullible and I believed them.

Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home, and when he grows up, he'll never be able to merge his car into traffic.

Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone.

One nice thing about egotists ... they don't talk about other people.

I used to be indecisive. Now, I'm not sure.

The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.

How can there be self-help groups?

Show me a man with both feet firmly on the ground, and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants off.

Our Importance

Self worth is realising you have value, self importance is wanting everyone else to know it.

It's impossible to learn when one thinks he already knows everything.

Once we believe we have graduated, learning grinds to a halt.

A smart person believes only half of what people say about him; a wise person knows which half to believe. 

Greatness is measured by service, not status.

You cannot empty yourself in behalf others if you are full of yourself.

Having authority is not necessarily the same as being an authority.

It's important to learn the difference between prominence and significance. Some of the most significant people have almost no prominence.

Having the right isn't necessarily the same as being right.

Impressing people is different from being truly impressive.

Observations

Our talents are enhanced by humility....
but limited by excessive pride.

When someone gossips negatively, remember the accused isn't there to defend themselves.

A spiteful friend is no friend at all.

Coordinators at times need to delegate, but it shouldn't be their default setting.

It's not that sex should come before love and commitment. Love and commitment should come before sex.

Profound Quotes

A problem shared is a problem halved. A joy shared is a joy doubled.

Buildings don't make slums, people do.

Life is a journey, so what's the rush?

Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Give him regular, generous welfare and hook him for life.

If you are not liked because of your attitude, that's your problem. If you are disliked for no good reason, then that's their problem.

We either learn from a mistake, or keep repeating it. That's our choice.

Find trouble if you must, but don't share it around.

It's Fine...But Only If

Competitive sport is great...but only if my team is winning.

I want a free society...but only if it is for those I agree with.

Indulgence in food is great...but only if I don't pay for it later.

I desire a strong man in my life...but only if he yields to me.

Democracy is great...but only if the majority agree with me.

I'm OK with gossip...but only if is not about me.

Rubbish dumps are essential...
but only if they are nowhere near where I live.

Any style of clothing is fine by me...
as long as its not naff*.

*British slang meaning lacking taste or style.