One of the perils of growing old is, at least for me, is that I tend to “cat-nap” during the evening with the inevitable result that I now wake up every morning at the ridiculous time of 02:15. Seriously ! I obviously try to fall asleep again, with little success, and then usually reach for my mobile which I always charge overnight on a nearby plug. This morning, completely out of the blue, I remembered a phrase from my childhood that began “I shall pass this way but once” and so I promptly googled it and found the following. I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. Etienne de Grellet Then I remembered completely where I had first heard the phrase. I used to belong to a local boy's club (Cambridge & Bethnal Green Boy's Club) where the evenings activities used to finish at 10 pm with “Prayers” in the Gym and this was one of the offerings that were given to us by one of the club managers. Why I should have woken this morning with this particular phrase buzzing through my mind is a complete mystery, but it prompts me to start this new thread entitled “Simply Inspirational” In the parlance of my childhood, I get to go first and so I offer you : Mark Twain's “Life does not consist mainly, or even largely, of facts or happenings” Enjoy ! Ron
Advice given to me by a relative: Sage nicht alles, was du weißt, aber wisse immer, was du sagst. Do not say everything you know, but always know what you say. (Matthias Claudius in a letter to his son)
"More than half a century of existence has taught me that most of the wrong and folly which darken earth is due to those who cannot possess their souls in quiet; that most of the good which saves mankind from destruction comes of life that is led in thoughtful stillness. Every day the world grows noisier; I, for one, will have no part in that increasing clamour, and, were it only by my silence, I confer a boon on all." from The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft by George Gissing
Yes, one of my Mum's favourites too. Along with "Make sure your vest's tucked in" and "Keep your hand on your sixpence"
Sorry Ron, it was about midnight here and I couldn't think of anything! "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." - Mohammad Ali And on a less serious note: "There's no point in being an adult if you can't be childish sometimes" - The Fourth Doctor (Dr Who)
Thanks Ron! Don't know if you agree with it but I think it's important to keep a sense of humour and be outright silly sometimes.
If I may be so pretentious: ____________________________________________ Happy the man, and happy he alone, He who can call today his own; He who, secure within, can say, Tomorrow, do thy worst, for I have lived today. Be fair or foul, or rain or shine, The joys I have possess'd, in spite of fate are mine. Not Heaven itself upon the past has power; But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour. _____________________________________________ John Dryden, Imitation of Horace (1685).
Just to keep the pot boiling, I feel I must include the proverb which forms part of my forum signature and which has stood me in good stead virtually all of my life. It is by Rabbi Hillel, the elder, circa 30 BCE, and goes like this: If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when? Ron
