An old man who was considered the wisest person in the city was called on

to share his wisdom with a young couple who seemed distressed.

"We have just moved here, " they said.  "How are the people in this city?"

"How are the people in the city where you came from?" the wise man asked.

"They were awful," was the response.  "We didn't like any of them."

The old man replied, "Well, they're the same here."

The following day, another couple came and asked the same question.

The old man asked, "And how were the people in the city you came from?"

"They were wonderful," was the reply.  "We hated to leave."

"Well," the old man said, "they are the same here."

-- Unknown --

One early spring day I met an old farmer.

It had been a rainy spring, and I commented about how good it must be

for the crops to have so much rain early in the season.

"No," he replied, "if the weather is too easy on the crops now,

the plants may only grow roots on the surface.

If that happens, then a storm could easily destroy the crops.

However, if things are not so easy in the beginning,

then the plants will have to grow the strong and deep roots they need

to get at the water and nourishment down below.

If a storm or drought comes, they are more likely to survive."

Now I look at rough times as an opportunity to put down some roots

to help me weather future storms that may come my way.

-- Jerry Stemkoski --

Some people think only intellect counts:  knowing how to solve problems,

knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it.

But the many functions of intellect are insufficient without

courage, love, friendship, empathy and compassion.

We care.  It is our curse.  It is our blessing.

-- Dean R. Koontz --

The world stands out on either side -

No wider than the heart is wide;

Above the world is stretched the sky,

No higher than the soul is high.

-- Edna St. Vincent Millay, "Renascence" --

They are not long, the weeping and the laughter,

Love and desire and hate:

I think they have no portion in us after
 

We pass the gate.

They are not long, the days of wine and roses;

Out of a misty dream

Our path emerges for a while, then closes

Within a dream.

-- Ernest Dowson, "Non sum qualis eran bonae sub regno Cynarae" --

Walk beyond the shadow of  TIME

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