I keep a file with some thoughts and ideas I come across while reading or that I happen to reflect upon. Today I thought I would share these miscellaneous thoughts and observations for what it’s worth. There is no particular organization. Just some items from my file.

Honesty

I was reading a reflection on the subject of honesty. The article noted that, “A man may escape many things, but he cannot escape himself. He must live with his memories, and if he has lost his self respect, life becomes intolerable. Once President Garfield was encouraged to take a profitable, but dishonest, course of action. He was told: “No one will ever know.” His answer was, “President Garfield will know – and I’ve got to sleep with him.”

Abel Mutal, A Kenyan runner, was competing in a grueling international cross-country race. He was only a few yards from winning with a secure lead ahead of the next runner. However, he became confused by the signs on the course and thought he had already crossed the finish line. So, he stopped short in error. A Spanish runner, Ivan Fernandez, was behind him in second place. He saw the mistake Abel had made. Rather than take advantage of it by crossing the victory line to win the race, he caught up to him. He put his arm out to guide him across the finish line to become the gold medal winner. When reporters asked  Ivan why he gave up a chance to win the race and instead help the front runner become the winner he said: “What would be the merit of my victory? What would be the honor of the metal? What would my mom think of me? As one reporter put it “Ivan chose honesty over victory.”

Human Nature

The New York Times has a section “Metropolitan Diary” with stories about New Yorkers. One of them was about an experience that typifies the character of some people. The report was this: “It was about 20 years ago, and my in-laws were moving. They offered my wife and me a television that they weren’t going to have room for in their new apartment. It was fairly new, and had a much sharper picture and better sound than our  1983 model. It was about half as big and heavy. Once we had taken possession of it, I did what any self-respecting Brooklynite would do under such circumstances: I brought the old clicker out to the stoop so that someone could take it home and make use of it. Almost as soon as I closed the door after taking out the TV, the bell rang I opened the door to find a middle age man standing there. “What? he said incredulously, pointing at the television. “No remote?”

The World Today

In 1776 Thomas Paine published The American Crisis pamphlet series. His observations are relevant about the status of this country and in fact the world 246 years later in 2022. Why? Well, for example, The first pamphlet begins with this observation:

“These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.”

Advice about Aging

 Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future, and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them that yesterday’s wisdom still applies today.

Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the cycle of life we’re all going through. Try to minimize them in your mind. They are not who you are, they are something that life added to you. If they become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.

If you’ve been offended by someone– forgive them. If you’ve offended someone — apologize. Don’t drag around resentment with you. It only serves to make you sad and bitter.  It doesn’t matter who was right. Someone once said: “Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Don’t take that poison. Forgive, forget and move on with your life

If you have a strong belief, savor it. But don’t waste your time trying to convince others. They will make their own choices no matter what you tell them, and it will only bring you frustration. Live your faith and set an example. Live true to your beliefs and let that memory sway them.

AND REMEMBER: “Life is too short to drink bad wine.”