Some classics are just ..... CLASSIC !!

[Kohinoor]

I happened upon this old gem on another forum - and it took me back to my youth (my Mum had produced this for a young tyke to read and learn from - parts of this have remained with me for DECADES - it is SO good to see it again in its entirety). I have always loved the sentiments expressed, and have endeavoured to live up to its wisdom.... even when failing dismally, those words can help to get one back on track...

It is timeless for sure


THANK YOU, Rudyard Kipling - so much !!!


IF.....

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

[louise41]

My exboss used to quote that when he was giving us a pep talk

[Dedeemay]

hehehe thought I would catch you here madam!!

I just love this poem Koh, haven't seen it for years, thank you!

[katiefrank70]

What a lovely poem

I have never seen it before. But what a way to live your life by. It makes me think of my dad. He has always said to me the top 2 lines (it is the creed he has lived his life on). Of course I fail miserably . Inherited a quick firey german temper.

Any more gems. I love them

Katie

[Kohinoor]

Just overheard this on radio this morning. Made a lot of sense to me.
A classic in the making perhaps?

It seems it's been rumoured to have been written by George Carlin - which he denies..... The "truthorfiction" website claim to have found the true author, so I'll attribute HIS name to this very thoughtful piece.....

Enjoy (if that's the right word) It's a sobering piece, yet has hope...

Koh


In a response to an inquiry by TruthOrFiction.com, Dr. Moorehead said he wrote it in 1990. It was later published in 1995 in his book WORDS APTLY SPOKEN.

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more,
but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees
but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more
problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our
possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and
hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to
life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but
have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer
space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air,
but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold
more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less
and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of
two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one
night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer,
to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the
stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time
when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going
to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to
you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your
side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you because that is the only
treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember,
to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all
mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep
inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday
that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak
and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

[Annabelle Joy]

Koh, that is wonderful, and so true. As I read it I resolved to make some changes in my life.

AJ

[Annabelle Joy]

Just received this in an email, and it seems to fit in this thread.

A man at a metro station in Washington DC started to play the violin; it was a cold winter morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother rushed him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story.

Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Live with Intention
Walk to the edge
Listen deeply
- Laugh -
Practice wellness
Play with abandon
Continue to learn
- Appreciate your friends -
Choose with no regret
Do what you love & LIVE as if this is all there is!!!

"I must create a system, or be enslaved by another man's."William Blake

"On Spaceship Earth, there are no passengers: everyone is crew." R. Buckminster Fuller

[Kohinoor]

Hi AJ,

it seems to fit in this thread

Certainly DOES !!!

And isn't that story a whack on the side of the head ??? Certainly is for me..... specially THIS bit :-

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Thanks AJ !!!

Koh

PS I did check Snopes (sorry, AJ - not that I disbelieved - I loved the story anyway) and I'm glad I did, as it confirmed the TRUTH of the story, and led to a further classic thought.

That came from the reasoning behind the experiment in the first place:-

"In a banal setting at an inconvenient time, would beauty transcend?"

And, I ask us all, "Why not?" ........... at least the kids were listening !! Koh

[Annabelle Joy]

PS I did check Snopes

I'd already done that, Koh. I would have posted it anyway, but pointed out that it wasn't true if that happened to be the case.

AJ

[Kohinoor]

Bumpity bump !!! after far too long......

[Kohinoor]

Time for its "6 yearly Bump"


Koh