BS: Words of Wisdom

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: autolycus
Date: 20 Sep 07 - 12:51 PM

There are reasons people don't believe in themselves which they could do with dealing with.

They might not know how to deal with them.

Lack of self-esteem is a massive matter, especially if those who brought you up didn't possess it either.

      Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Blindlemonsteve
Date: 20 Sep 07 - 05:05 AM

I know a lot of you will pour scorn on me for saying this, but i recently rewatched the entire series of Rocky films, i had never watched them as an adult, but i am pleased that i did, i now realise that they are nothing to do with boxing, but to do with human courage and self belief, to this end, i wrote down some lines from the last film and called it think what you think, the philosophy of a fighting man. Here it is..

Think what you think
The Philosophy of a fighting man


Nothing really changes, only the clothes
Time only catches up with you if you stand still
You don't have to look scared to be scared
Just because you don't have to do something
It doesn't mean you shouldn't
Remember, you once sat in the palm of your Dads hand
He held you up and said you would be the best kid in the world
You were going to be better than anybody ever knew
When you grew up good and wonderful,
every day to your Mum & Dad was a privilege
when the time came for you to be your own person you did.

Then somewhere along the line you change, you stop being you.
You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you're no good
And when things get tough, you start looking for someone to blame Like a big shadow
This is something you already know, the world isn't sunshine and rainbows
It can be a very mean and nasty place. It doesn't matter how tough you are
It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it
Nobody is going to hit as hard as life, but it isn't about how hard you get hit
Its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, this is how winning is done
If you know what your worth, go out and take what your worth, but be prepared to take the hits, don't point fingers and say your not where you want to be because of him or her, cowards do that, and that isn't you. You are better than that…..

Remember, your family love you, you're the best thing in they're lives, but if you don't believe in yourself, your never going to have a life.


It said it all to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 19 Sep 07 - 06:01 PM

If you will take the time to read these. I promise you'll come away with an enlightened perspective. The subjects covered affect us all on a daily basis!

They're written by Andy Rooney , a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words. Enjoy.......

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.



I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I 've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.



I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 05:35 AM

Man with big balls had no toys as a child.

In faecam aeternam summus; solii profundii variat *

(* we're always in the shit - only the depth varies.)

What goes around, comes around. [If you don't believe me, ask Captain Birdseye and Jim Carroll :-)]

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: autolycus
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 04:43 AM

this isn't wise but the Aldous huxley line originated with hegel. Possibly.

         Grub first, ethics after.    Brecht

         Know thyself. Oracle at Delphi, and Socrates.

         "If there is one true statement true of every living person, it must be this; he hasn't achieved his ful potential."

      William Schutz, in his book, Joy.



    Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 02:42 AM

But who knows who knows and who knows not...best go your own way!

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 01:38 AM

He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise, and should be followed;
He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool, and should be shunned.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: GUEST,Neil
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 11:40 AM

A scholar hired a boat so as to spend an afternoon of contemplation on a calm lake. The boatman,who had never spent much time with books and disdained those who had, decide to play a trick on the scholarly man. so as they were on the way back in that evening he brought the other's attention to some water that had collected in the bootom of the boat. Now this is commonplace, but the boatman guessed, correctly, that the scholar would not know this. He asked, "With all your studying and reading of books have you ever learned to swim? No? Then I'm afraid you are about to drown my learned friend."
   The scholar asked the boatman to send his love to his family, calmly said a prayer and waited with serenity for the end to come.
Of course the boat didn't sink and nobody drowned. After making it to shore and docking the boat they went their separate ways.
   As he walked away, the scholar thought to himself, "How foolish of me to have spent my life in books and never learned something so practical as how to swim." He resolved to do so as soon as possible.
   Meanwhile, the boatman was pondering how calmly and bravely the scholar had accepted his fate when he had expected him to react in wild panic. "Maybe there is something to be gained from philosophy after all."

   You can learn something from anybody. I discovered this years ago when I watched a man tear a sheet of paper on a clean straight line without a knife or scissors. He wasn't well educated, didn't speak well and wasn't even a nice guy. But I learned something practical from him.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 08:42 AM

Truth does not become more true by virtue of the fact
that the entire world agrees with it, nor less so even if the whole world disagrees with it.

                                          Maimonides

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Sep 07 - 05:36 PM

The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments.

Friedrich Nietzsche, The Gay Science, section 191

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Sep 07 - 01:11 PM

"Scenery changes only for the lead dog"

         multiple unknown authors

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 04 Sep 07 - 12:42 PM

                                          EXPERIENCE

"That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach."

                                          Aldous Huxley


A

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 31 Aug 07 - 05:38 AM

Here is wisdom:

' don't eat yellow snow '

Always walk in front of a shitter, and behind a shooter.


eric

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Gurney
Date: 31 Aug 07 - 04:13 AM

Maturity shows in the gentle smile at the antics of the young ones. Although, really, if your knees weren't knackered, you'd be boogieing right along with them.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: autolycus
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 05:54 PM

No-one can make you feel inferior without your consent.



(Perhaps we could withhold authorship for a week or two.)



Would you be happy to be your own best friend?


The greater the ignorance, the greater the fear.






       Ivor the wise.............. (stop laughing at the back)

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: frogprince
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 03:53 PM

Late News Flash:
If you try to photograph the complete sequence of a total lunar eclipse, you end up very short on sleep.         Dean

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 24 Aug 07 - 12:58 PM

LOVE

The first duty of love is to listen.

               Paul Tillich

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 23 Aug 07 - 10:16 PM

MIND

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea,
never regains its original dimensions.

             Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 23 Aug 07 - 09:45 PM

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of
me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty
much leave me the hell alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and
leaky tire.

3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your
neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.

6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of
car payments.

8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their
shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you
have their shoes.

9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to
fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was
probably worth it.

12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.

14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and
put it back in your pocket.

16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

17. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark
side, and it holds the universe together.

18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.

19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.

20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

21. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Cluin
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 02:51 PM

Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Cluin
Date: 10 Aug 07 - 10:54 PM

But he got grounded PDQ.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Aug 07 - 09:04 PM

Perfect! That story explains the nature of God in exactly the right way as far as I'm concerned. It is typical of the beautiful parables that come out of the East Indian tradition.

The young man grasped the simple principle of the omnipresent God (albeit in a vague fashion), but he did not grasp how to deal with it intelligently in the world of physical existence and physical limitation. He was living too much in his head, not grounded.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Cluin
Date: 10 Aug 07 - 08:55 PM

A story from Joseph Campbell:

There's a wonderful Indian story of a young man who was told by his guru, "You are Brahman. You are God." What a thing to experience! "I am God." So, deeply indrawn, this young man goes out for a walk. He walks through the village, goes out into the country. And coming down the road is a great elephant, with the howdah on top, and the driver on his head. And the young man, thinking "I am God. I am God," does not get out of the way of the elephant. The mahout shouts, "Get out of the way, you lunatic!" The young man hears him and looks and sees the elephant, and he says to himself, "I am God and the elephant is God. Should God get out of the way of God?" And of course the moment of truth arrives when the elephant suddenly wraps his trunk around him and tosses him off the road.

The young man goes back to his guru in a disheveled condition – not physically hurt, but psychologically in shock. The guru sees him and asks, "Well, what happened to you?"

The young man tells him his story and then says, "You told me that I was God."

"And so you are."

"The elephant is God."

"And so it is."

"Well, then, should God get out of the way of God?"

"But why didn't you listen to the voice of God shouting from the head of the elephant?"

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 10 Aug 07 - 09:15 AM

ALIVE

Look, I really don't want to wax philosophic,
but I will say that if you're alive,
you got to flap your arms and legs,
you got to jump around a lot,
you got to make a lot of noise,
because life is the very opposite of death.
And therefore, as I see it, if you're quiet,
you're not living.
You've got to be noisy, or at least your thoughts
should be noisy and colorful and lively.

                         Mel Brooks

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Rapparee
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 12:14 PM

Clear out while they reload.

The old lie: Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.

Sine virtus, sine laus.

It's never too late to mutate.

TANSTAAFL!

When you flush the shit goes somewhere.

A statesman is a dead politician. God knows we need more statesmen.

If it costs ninety-eight cents you have ninety-seven -- and a twenty.

Entropy ALWAYS increases.

Try not to kill anyone when you're naked.

Divide and conquer, cooperate and win.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 10:34 AM

A witty saying proves nothing -- Voltaire

Common sense is not so common. -- Voltaire

Doubt is not a pleasent condition, but certainty is absurd -- Voltaire

The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny ...' -- Isaac Asimov

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -- Aristotle

The crux. . . is that the vast majority of the mass in the universe seems to be missing. -- Willliam J. Broad

For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled -- Richard Feynman

Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting. --John Russell

The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related that it is difficult to class them separately. -- Tom Paine

Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place. Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by definition, not smart enough to debug it. -- Brian Kernighan

Truly great madness cannot be achieved whithout significant intelligence. -- Henrik Tikkanen

Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth without destroying his roots. -Frank A. Clark, writer

We find comfort among those who agree with us, growth among those who don't. -Frank A. Clark, writer (1911- )

Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom. -Theodore Rubin, psychiatrist and writer (1923- )

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: GUEST,BUDDA
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:48 PM

Rules are for the guidance of the wise, and blind obedience of fools

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:01 PM

IGNORANCE

I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People
inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their
happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a
sense of peace and contentment, which in turn must be
achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and
compassion, and elimination of ignorance, selfishness,
and greed.

    Dalai Lama, 1989 Nobel Peace-Prize Speech

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Skivee
Date: 01 May 07 - 12:24 AM

A young samurai was walking along the beach of a northern province. Feeling very sure of his great fighting skills, he was looking for anyone to fight. He was known for his crass spirit.
In the distance, he saw an old man approaching. He proved to be an old member of a rival clan.
The young man, whose name was Ota, drew his katana and challenged his opponent with great insult.
The old man's sword was out and ready with such speed that Ota was filled with fear.
They stood motionless on the beach, in saiza position as the tide moved in. After many minutes, the old man spoke. "The tide rises, and I should prefer to not allow my hakama to get wet...and besides, you are not ready."
With the smallest of smirks, he resheathed his sword and continued around the petrified youth.
As he passed the young foolish samauri, the old man loudly passed wind, drew his flashing sword again and cut the bully through the neck, killing him instantly.
If there is a moral to this story, it is that youthful enthusiasm can be overcome by old farts and ancient cunning.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: frogprince
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 06:28 PM

We can give our children only two things.
The first one is roots; the other is wings.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: GUEST,carl
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 08:24 PM

The high cost of living is only a joke
its the high cost of loving that's keeping me broke.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: autolycus
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 01:45 AM

Another definition of maturity I like is,

"Maturity is what you do after you've tried everything else."



I quite agree about the value of connecting to one's core. Alas so many resist doing so,as I've found as a therapist,regarding such a thing as self-indulgence,navel-gazing,narcissism,extreme individualism.

Not to mention 'frightening' or potentially dangerous.








      Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: GUEST,ib48
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 11:58 AM

OHH,ERR MR GRIMSDALE

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 09:38 AM

RESENTMENT

Resentment is like drinking poison
and waiting for the other person to die.

       Cindy Clabough

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 09:11 AM

"To know that you do not know is the beginning of wisdom.


             Socrates-baby."



To know what you do not know is the beginning of a splitting headache.

             Don Ts-baby

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Wesley S
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 05:11 PM

In Texas we say "Never squat with your spurs on".

And my favorite - "Just because you can doesn't mean you should".

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Micca
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 05:04 PM

This was framed on my office wall

" Gasoline (Petrol) is NOT a good liquid with which to fight a fire"

I think it was intended to caution against confrontation as a method of dealing with crises(I couuld be wrong)

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 02:01 PM

"When you want to test the depths of a stream, don't use both feet."

                        Chinese proverb

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 01:23 PM

SELF

Be faithful to that which exists within yourself.

                           Andre Gide

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 09:25 AM

Retirement at 20!
Employment at 60!

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 09:11 AM

SOUL SEARCHING

Most of us are not inclined
to do much soul-searching
when things are going well.
And therein, old friend,
lies the up side of down times.

    Charles Anderson

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: polaitaly
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 05:07 PM

Hallo, Amos!

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 04:51 PM

Ciao, Pola! Benvenuto!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: polaitaly
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 04:45 PM

I remember a definition of maturity that I heard somewhere and found very true: "You are an adult when you do the right thing EVEN IF mom has told you so."

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: Amos
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 04:49 PM

SOLITUDE

"Only when one is connected to one's inner core
is one connected to others. And, for me, the core,
the inner spring, can best be re-found through solitude."

Anne Spencer Morrow Lindbergh American aviator and writer
          of "North to the Orient"

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: *daylia*
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 01:35 PM

The story may be making a point about how we don't let go of old stuff,which thereby becomes a burden or hindrance,preventing us from fully engaging with the present.

Yes, that's the first undercurrent I saw in the story. Also a version of mind your own business, and a rather ambiguous value judgement re shared beliefs, rules, traditions, authority etc and appropriate behaviour and choices regarding same.

As to a being a statement re hypocrisy and/or sexual obsession, hmmmm -- methinks thats interesting and methanks you for your thoughts, meself.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 12:55 PM

daylia: I think you're missing the sexual undercurrent of the story. The initial issue is not simply that the monk broke a rule, but that he put himself in a compromising situation with a woman, and may have been experiencing some un-monkly titillation in the process. The implication of the monk's response to the rebuke is that it is the OTHER monk who clearly has been unduly distracted by un-monkly thoughts. In other words, it is the other monk who is showing evidence of sexual obsession. So the story illustrates a type of hypocrisy. Jesus said the same thing in effect on more than one occasion: "Remove the beam from your own eye before complaining of the mote in the eye of another" (to paraphrase); "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone", etc. This story actually ENCOURAGES self-examination - the message is to examine your own thoughts and motivations before criticizing others.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: GUEST,ib48
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 12:25 PM

OOH ERR MR GRIMSDALE

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: autolycus
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 11:15 AM

Re the original story,

1. For "why are you still carrying her?2,try substituting,

    "what's it to you?"

    and see i how that sits with you.


2. The story may be making a point about how we don't let go of old stuff,which thereby becomes a burden or hindrance,preventing us from fully engaging with the present.






      I.

Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom
From: *daylia*
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 10:47 AM

"I set her down by the river an hour ago, why are you still carrying her?"

Hmmm. I've heard different versions of this little story all my life. I appreciate the common sense of course (ie better to live in the present than the past), but something about it always bothered me ie

There's nothing wrong with pondering/analysing one's own past behaviour and experiences, then questioning or clarifying same if need be. There's nothing wrong with asking questions, in my book! And self-examination, as well as examination of one's beliefs and traditions is not only healthy but wise.

So, no offence to the Masters of Zen, but I say -- human beings have had the mental capacity for honest reflection, analysis, self-examination etc for at least a few millenia by now. So, why are you folks grumbling about it?