Tuesday, November 27, 2018

2018-48 - True understanding...

A martial arts student was about to receive his hard-earned Black Belt.

"You have one more test to pass", the master told the student. "What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?", asked the master. "Why, the end of my journey", said the student. "You are not ready for the Black Belt. Return in one year." said the master.

After 1 year, the student came back & was asked the question, "What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?" "A symbol of distinction and the highest achievement in our art", the young man responded. Still unsatisfied the master said, "You are not ready for the Black Belt. Return in one year."

A year later the student was again asked the question, "What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?" This time he answered, "The Black Belt represents not the end, but the beginning, the start of a never-ending journey of discipline, work, and the pursuit of an ever-higher standard."

"You are now ready to receive the Black Belt and BEGIN your work." said the master.

~ Author Unknown



Any fool can know. The point is to understand.

~ Albert Einstein

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

2018-47 - Assumptions in Life...

A policeman was heading home after a long, hard day on patrol. He had dealt with a whole succession of difficult people, and a mountain of frustrating paperwork. All he wanted at this point was to kick back, unwind, enjoy some peace and quiet, and maybe watch a few innings of baseball on TV.

But, as he neared home, he was startled by a vehicle that came careening around a sharp curve and narrowly missed his squad car. As the car passed within a few inches of him, the other driver shouted "Pig!"

The police officer was suddenly energized. He slammed on brakes, all set to turn his squad car around and head off in hot pursuit. But as he rounded the curve... he ran head-on into a large pig that was standing in the middle of the road!

It's a lesson we learn early in life if we're lucky: don't assume! 

No matter how confident we are in our understanding of the issue. No matter how certain of another's reasoning or motives. No matter how obvious the point may be to us. 

~ Capt J David Atwater, CHC, USN



Ask questions; don’t make assumptions.

~ Angela Ahrendts

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

2018-46 - The Missing Watch...

There once was a farmer who discovered that he had lost his watch in the barn. It was no ordinary watch because it had sentimental value for him. After searching high and low for a long while; he gave up and enlisted the help of a group of children playing outside the barn. He promised them that the person who found it would be rewarded.

Hearing this, the children hurried inside the barn, went through and around the entire stack of hay but still could not find the watch. Just when the farmer was about to give up looking for his watch, a little boy went up to him and asked to be given another chance. The farmer looked at him and thought, "Why not? After all, this kid looks sincere enough."

So the farmer sent the little boy back in the barn. After a while the little boy came out with the watch in his hand! The farmer was both happy and surprised and so he asked the boy how he succeeded where the rest had failed.

The boy replied, "I did nothing but sit on the ground and listen. In the silence, I heard the ticking of the watch and just looked for it in that direction."

~ Author Unknown



"A peaceful mind can think better than a worked up mind."

~ Author Unknown

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

2018-45 - The Strength of Group Work...

Once a US president went out to see the situation of the city.

Somewhere a group of soldiers was trying to lift a large branch of a tree from their way. The Corporal was standing by their side instructing them to work harder, but they were unable to move it.

A stranger was riding on his horse and he observed what was going on. He said to the Corporal, "If you help them they will be able to move it. Why don't you help them?" The Corporal replied, "That is not my job, I am the Corporal. It is their work, they should do it."

The stranger did not hesitate a moment, he immediately dismounted from his horse, and helped the group of the soldiers to move the log. This additional strength helped them to move the log. After moving it, the stranger mounted his horse and said to the Corporal, "Next time you need to move something heavy and you need help, call for the Commander-In-Chief." and went his way.

It was then that the men realized that the stranger was none other than George Washington the first President of the United States, the Commander-In-Chief of the army.

~ Author Unknown



If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.

~ Booker T Washington