Student: I’m failing my family so badly.
Master: Bemoaning failure does little to make success.
Category: Philosophy
Think deep.
Of Grasshoppers
Student: I don’t think I can save us this time.
Master: Does it have to be you, alone, that saves us?
Forgotten Lines
I wrote a haiku
While I slept it was very good
I woke to forget
This week’s focus
Let’s not forget our focus this week.
Of Grasshoppers
Student: Have you ever lost hope?
Master: Have you ever looked deeply into the eyes of an infant?
Of Grasshoppers
Student: Am I a bad person?
Master: Do you really need to ask?
Retired actor?
Use it or loose it. And a question of etiquette
Languages I’ve tasted:
- Spanish (4 years in High School, a couple of years at college, lived in the Spanish dorm a year)
- Hungarian (Magyar – felt comfortable enough with the basics that I wanted to travel to Budapest on my own)
- American Sign Language (some classes in college, hung out at TN school for the Deaf)
- and I can say "Hello" in Arabic. (I said Arabic online! Alert Homeland Security!)
Sidebar
In college, I used to joke that if I could say "Hello" and "I love you" in every language that I’d never sleep alone. I made a good go of it too. Even that part about learning "hello" and "I love you".
My sign language is weird because I was trying to learn ASL but because I was hearing, the kids at TSD wanted to use signed English with me. Despite my pidgon sign, I was comfortable enough to take orders from the deaf and hard of hearing at a Shoney’s restaurant where I worked right out of college. Now I can’t even talk to my wife (but what does that have to do with sign language?). Through the University and working at The Foreign Language Division of The Learning Company, I also gained exposure to French, Japanese, Russian, German and Italian but not enough to claim any knowledge.
So, My question of etiquette: When I bump into someone Hispanic, I always address them in English. Sometimes I get that blank look that I would give if I were being addressed by someone not speaking English; you know, that agast, expressionless face as your mind reels thorough the relatively small number of words you may have in hopes that something rings a bell. My Spanish is not good enough to strike up a conversation but I can still make some appropriate greetings. What is appropriate? Assume they speak Spanish and say, "¡Buenos días!"? Ask if they speak Spanish, "¿Habla español?" Or just stick to the uncomfortable smile, head nod and hesitant wave?
I don’t hesitate to talk to anyone. My inclination is to speak in Spanish. Perhaps my vocabulary will return!
Offroading
In East Tennessee we get the pleasure of seeing lots of muddy pickup trucks toting around their motorcycles and 4 wheelers. I thought this practice to originate in these hills but apparently it comes from the Middle East.
Today’s extremely profound statement
From Crouching Mommy, Hidden Laundry:
And, life is ENTIRELY too short to feel like you are a victim for an extended period of time.
That hits home. I am writing that under this week’s Franklin Covey quote in my planner:
Character is the basis of happiness and happiness the sanction of character.
–George Santayana
Everyday this week I will set aside some time to ponder these.
Of Grasshoppers
Student: Why go on?
Master: To make a difference.
Of Grasshoppers
Student: I don’t have time.
Master: Make time.
A Rest Stop from Depression and Suicidal Thoughts
Some interesting reading for people with depression and suicidal thoughts. Hmm. Good writing but at the end it notes that it is an exerpt from his book ergo marketing but still good info.
Of Grasshoppers
Student: I am the personification of failure.
Master: Failure is what you make of it.
Of Grasshoppers
Student: I work alone.
Master: People do not succeed in isolation.
