After finishing
up a bunch of projects, and meeting with Grand Master Sell for two
and a half days, I was ready for a break. The batteries needed a
serious recharging.
So, I took Friday off.
The traditional three day weekend was, for me, a four day
weekend...which is one of my own personal traditions!
How did I spend my time? I read, a lot. Jason and I are
finishing the entire Nero Wolfe series (by Rex Stout, highly
recommended if you like detective mysteries) ...approximately 50
books.
I
listened to a ton of jazz music -- Coltrane and Miles -- and took
a bunch of naps.
The pool is open, but too cold to actually get into.
Did a bunch of writing...and spent a lot of time in prayer. Renee
planted some flowers ...mostly our favorite annuals: pansies.
Evenings? Renee and I, sitting around the fire in the outdoor
fire pit...talking, holding hands, looking at the sunset ...and
enjoying each other's company.
I
know what you might be thinking: "All of his vacation breaks
sound the same."
And, you'd be correct. It took a long time to get it right.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
"Criticism
has its own agenda." That's what I wrote at the beginning of the
week on our school chalkboard.
Immunity to criticism is one of the key building blocks
in a successful person's life.
Too often, when a person tries to make positive changes in their
life...they are shot down by neighbors, co-workers, or relatives.
Here is what you need to know: there are two types of
people in the world...
Doers and Critics.
Most people are one or the other. Rarely does a person have "dual
membership" in these groups.
Why? Because critics criticize instead of doing anything
constructive in their own lives. Being critical of others serves
as a substitute (a very poor one) for positive, constructive
action.
And -- Doers are seldom critics. They are too busy focusing on
their own goals!
If you are a Doer...NEVER, ever worry about what the Critics are
saying! Their vote, their opinion of what you are doing, simply
doesn't count!
I'm reminded of this quote by Theodore Roosevelt...
"It's not the
critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man
stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The
credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face
is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who
errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great
enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worth
cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high
achievement; and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails
while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those
cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."
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