Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Justified Journey 7/28/09

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

William James
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A big loud welcome to you.
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Two of the most powerful virtues we can have are faith and patience. In fact, without those two qualities at work in the stream of life, things would be a fine mess. The opposite side of patience is to be rash and hasty, two activities that have been the designers of some of the most tangled and regretable messes in the world.

One of the traits of youth is the desire to have what we want when we want it. Instant results. And if we don't see them we push on, do things over or do something else. Fads are born of that. The latest gadget is coveted with a passion. There has to be some evidence of what we wish for or pray for or else.

Lust has been described as the desire to have whatever we want on the instant, without waiting. Instant gratification. Carrie Fisher once wrote that instant gratification takes too long.

In my career I found that some directors want the results of their directions instantly. But there is a gestation period for any ideas that are worthwhile. A good argument doesn't convince any thinking person immediately. The more important an event the longer it takes to bear fruit.

The farmer doesn't expect his crops to grow right after he plants them. He has faith that nature is doing the work. You don't want your children to grow up instantly and miss their childhood. But if the right influences and instructions are given them the result will most likely be an adult you want to know.

The worst things that can happen usually take no time to appear. That's just because they are worthless. But the blessings take time. Lately I've seen things blooming in my life that I made some good efforts to see a long time ago. Some of them are things I simply forgot about. But the seeds opened, took root and eventually bore fruit while I wasn't thinking about them.

We are the fruits of life. We are the products, the results of life. We are neither swallowed up in life nor are we plowed back under. That gives us the right, opportunity and obligation to act in ways that make a positive difference in the world, even if the results are not immediate.

DB
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Watch the flowers enjoying the weather.
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SUMMER QUIZ

This is not a contest.



A young man out west just took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.



Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?



You have all summer to answer if you wish.

18 responses so far.



DB

6 comments:

mrs.missalaineus said...

if i had 88 million dollars i would give part to the schools (both public and private) in my area to help keep them open/ running. i would keep teaching/ working.

i would buy an old house on some land and plant wildflowers in my yard/ pasture.

i would buy a horse and learn to do something like barrel roping. my whole childhood (what little there was of it) i wanted a damn horse.

xxalainaxx
xxalainaxx

Ken Riches said...

Patience and pragmatism, two of my core beliefs. Glad you are starting to see some fruits from your patience tree :o)

Ken Riches said...

$88M

Put enough away to fund retirement, take the remaining and split evenly between helping Friends/Family(including bloggers) and Charity.

Beth said...

I'm starting to get caught up on blogs--thanks for bearing with me! Great to hear that things are starting to blossom for you! Hugs, Beth

Arlene (AJ) said...

A nice read DB, glad these are blossoming for you. Eight million, I give to schools to establish SADD programs in all the schools in our area to make kids aware of the dangers of destructive decisions like drinking and drugs. my nephew was a member of SADD at his school when he and his Mom, my Sis Elaine were killed by a drunk driving doctor. So this has always been something very important to me.
I'd help my family and friends out who need help with expenses and Jerr and I would enjoy taking it easy and travelling and enjoying our country. Have been away for awhile DB, as always you have a good read for all of us to think about. Take care.

Inday said...

Thought provoking undocking someone's thoughts. Pretty meaty and hope each of us will ponder and learn how to be patient and let faith works its way not to instant result but a result worth the patience.

As to the 88 million, I would say, I'll help my friend realize her dream about putting up an institution where the least fortunates can enjoy education to the maximum without paying a dime. All they do is if they have what it takes, then they can have it!

We would like to educate the people who can't afford to go to school but have the appetite to learn.

Too much commercializing with our education these days. Another project she has in mind is putting up a Library for all to learn.

She has plenty of dreams and is working on it literally. One step at a time and she certainly employs her patience and faith.

Wouldn't it be a big help for this money to go towards doing worthwhile Charity?

You are showing one part of your Humane genetic blueprint DB.