One of our readers sent me a message with the question: I wanted to hear your comments on the Unsplash photo (DONT BE MEAN).
My answer is.... many years ago, there was a book called "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten", by Robert Fulghum. In this very simple book, he listed the things that we are taught as small children, for example:
• share everything
• don't hit people
• clean up your own mess
• don't take things that aren't yours
• say you're sorry when you hurt somebody
and things like that.
Why is it that, as adults, we forget these basic yet important lessons. If they aren't important, why do we teach them to small children?
The Unsplash photo above is one of these lessons. Don't be mean. As much as you can, be nice to others.
When it comes to words I like the Socratic principles of
1. Is it true
2. Is it necessary
3. Is it kind?
When it comes to deeds I tend to fail more often because of omission. And then there is the inner smugness of - of course you can believe what you will (i know I have the right take on God). Pride comes straight from Hell and we fail to realize it.
Thank you for your comments, Ana. You’re right, of course. It is easy to believe in the principles and more challenging to live by them. I like the three you listed (and they’re a lot easier to remember than all of the ones in Fulghum’s book).
Well, just today in my height of stress I went an called my neighbor a moron. Whilst it was true, it was neither necessary nor kind… epic fail 🥺. Going to sleep my shame off. I really liked your dissection of the song which I had not heard, but now I have!
Yes, we all have our moments. You might be asleep by now, but I will summarize a story I tell in my classes (which you may have heard):
There once was a very skilled carpenter who built beautiful houses. He used materials of good quality and was careful with his tools. He was getting up in years and one day, he decided he wanted to retire. He went to tell his boss, and the boss accepted his decision but, as a favor, asked the carpenter to build one last house. The carpenter reluctantly agreed, and went out to build this last house. His heart wasn’t in it, and this time, he didn’t buy materials of the best quality. He was in a hurry to finish, so he didn’t use his tools to the best of his ability. So, in this house, the doors had a bit of a squeak, the windows were a little hard to open and close, but that was okay. He was finished.
He went back to the boss to say the house was done. The boss was excited, and they went to look at the new house.
The boss said, “You have worked for us for many years. You’ve always done such excellent work. We would like to thank you for your many years of hard work. We’d like to give you this house. Here are the keys to your new house.”
The carpenter took the keys, and he realized what he had done.
We all make mistakes. The point is to do the best you can in every situation, and always use your tools well.
One of our readers sent me a message with the question: I wanted to hear your comments on the Unsplash photo (DONT BE MEAN).
My answer is.... many years ago, there was a book called "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten", by Robert Fulghum. In this very simple book, he listed the things that we are taught as small children, for example:
• share everything
• don't hit people
• clean up your own mess
• don't take things that aren't yours
• say you're sorry when you hurt somebody
and things like that.
Why is it that, as adults, we forget these basic yet important lessons. If they aren't important, why do we teach them to small children?
The Unsplash photo above is one of these lessons. Don't be mean. As much as you can, be nice to others.
What do YOU think?
(for more information on "All I Really Need to Know...", see https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/56955/all-i-really-need-to-know-i-learned-in-kindergarten-by-robert-fulghum/9780345466396/excerpt )
When it comes to words I like the Socratic principles of
1. Is it true
2. Is it necessary
3. Is it kind?
When it comes to deeds I tend to fail more often because of omission. And then there is the inner smugness of - of course you can believe what you will (i know I have the right take on God). Pride comes straight from Hell and we fail to realize it.
Thank you for your comments, Ana. You’re right, of course. It is easy to believe in the principles and more challenging to live by them. I like the three you listed (and they’re a lot easier to remember than all of the ones in Fulghum’s book).
Well, just today in my height of stress I went an called my neighbor a moron. Whilst it was true, it was neither necessary nor kind… epic fail 🥺. Going to sleep my shame off. I really liked your dissection of the song which I had not heard, but now I have!
Yes, we all have our moments. You might be asleep by now, but I will summarize a story I tell in my classes (which you may have heard):
There once was a very skilled carpenter who built beautiful houses. He used materials of good quality and was careful with his tools. He was getting up in years and one day, he decided he wanted to retire. He went to tell his boss, and the boss accepted his decision but, as a favor, asked the carpenter to build one last house. The carpenter reluctantly agreed, and went out to build this last house. His heart wasn’t in it, and this time, he didn’t buy materials of the best quality. He was in a hurry to finish, so he didn’t use his tools to the best of his ability. So, in this house, the doors had a bit of a squeak, the windows were a little hard to open and close, but that was okay. He was finished.
He went back to the boss to say the house was done. The boss was excited, and they went to look at the new house.
The boss said, “You have worked for us for many years. You’ve always done such excellent work. We would like to thank you for your many years of hard work. We’d like to give you this house. Here are the keys to your new house.”
The carpenter took the keys, and he realized what he had done.
We all make mistakes. The point is to do the best you can in every situation, and always use your tools well.
Sweet dreams, Ana.