'The Whistle' by Benjamin Franklin

I read this earlier today...loved it and wanted to share it. It's a bit long, but I think it's worth your time.

THE WHISTLE
by Benjamin Franklin

When I was a child of seven years old, my friends, on a holiday, filled my pocket with coppers. I went directly to a shop where they sold toys for children, and being charmed with the sound of a whistle, that I met by the way in the hands of another boy, I voluntarily offered and gave all my money for one. I then came home, and went whistling all over the house, much pleased with my whistle, but disturbing all the family. My, brothers, and sisters, and cousins, understanding the bargain I had made, told me I had given four times as much for it as it was worth; put me in mind what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money; and laughed at me so much for my folly, that I cried with vexation; and the reflection gave me more chagrin than the whistle gave me pleasure.

This, however, was afterward of use to me, the impression continuing on my mind; so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing, I said to myself, Don't give too much for the whistle; and I saved my money.

As I grew up, came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I thought I met with many, very many, who gave too much for the whistle.

When I saw one too ambitious of court favor, sacrificing his time in attendance on levees, his repose, his liberty, his virtue, and perhaps his friends, to attain it, I have said to myself, This man gives too much for his whistle.

When I saw another fond of popularity, constantly employing himself in political bustles, neglecting his own affairs, and ruining them by that neglect, He pays indeed, said I, too much for his whistle.

If I knew a miser, who gave up every, kind of comfortable living, all the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the sake of accumulating wealth, Poor man, said I, you pay too much for your whistle.

When I met with a man of pleasure, sacrificing every laudable improvement of the mind, or of his fortune, to mere corporeal sensations, and ruining his health in their pursuit, Mistaken man, said I, you are providing pain for yourself, instead of pleasure; you give too much for your whistle.

If I see one fond of appearance, or fine clothes, fine houses, fine furniture, fine equipages, all above his fortune, for which he contracts debts, and ends his career in a prison, Alas! say I, he has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle.

When I see a beautiful, sweet-tempered girl married to an ill- natured brute of a husband, What a pity, say I, that she should pay so much for a whistle.

In short, I conceive that great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by the false estimates they have made of the value of things, and by their giving too much for their whistles.

Yet I ought to have charity for these unhappy people, when I consider that, with all this wisdom of which I am boasting, there are certain things in the world so tempting, for example, the apples of King John, which happily are not to be bought; for if they were put to sale by auction, I might very easily be led to ruin myself in the purchase, and find that I had once more given too much for the whistle.

The End

Hope you enjoyed it!
Jane

Are you standing in your own way?

Lately I've been dealing with this nagging issue...am I getting in my own way? I heard Terrence Howard, an actor who was nominated for an Academy Award, talk about this subject on Oprah a few weeks ago. She asked him what he believed he did differently with this movie that enabled him to receive a nomination for one of acting's highest awards? His response was "I got out of my own way."

I was absolutely blown away by that statement. I immediately grabbed a pen and wrote it down. Then I began the stewing process and let this thought sit in my mind for a few days.

I really contemplated this idea...am I getting in my own way? Is there something that I am doing that is holding me back from being better? Is there something that I am doing that is stopping me from reaching a higher pinnacle of success where my business is concerned?

I want so desperately for my business to grow...and it is. Every year it gets better and better. But I can't help but wonder if maybe there are things I am doing to stop myself or hold myself back from reaching an even higher level of success???

Here's one thing I've concluded -- as for 'WHAT' am I doing incorrectly or 'WHAT' am I not doing at all, well, I'm sure there are lots of things for this list and I could rattle off quite a few as I sit here.

But what nags at me much more than the 'whats' of this issue are the 'WHYS'. 'WHY' am I holding back? 'WHY' am I getting in my own way? Is there something I'm afraid of?

A few thoughts come to mind, but the one that resonates the loudest is my fear of getting so busy that I'd get overwhelmed and then loose sight of my goal of keeping my family my priority.

I truly think this is one of my biggest fears. I don't want to be so wrapped up in my business that I put my family second. A huge part of me believes I could handle it, but there's a part of me--the nervous worrying part of me--that fears the 'what ifs'. I think next I'll have to ponder those 'what ifs'...maybe playing them out in my mind would help me to see that I would be fine and I have nothing to fear.

For now, however, I accept the thought that, YES, I AM standing in my own way because I am so committed to being there for my children. I want to be the one that takes them to school...I want to be the one that picks them up after school...I want to be home with them if they get sick...and so on and so on...

I don't want to miss out on these simple moments that we all take for granted because childhood is fleeting. My oldest is now 11...he'll be 12 this summer. These years have flown by faster than I had ever imagined and I just want to stick to my goal of keeping my family first. They'll be grown before I know it and I want to be able to look back and know that I was there for them and that I did my best for them.

I'm sure there will be more on this subject once I figure things out...if I ever do!! MAN-O-MAN!!! Is this balancing act TOUGH or what!!

Hope you can enjoy your day despite the craziness that life throws at us!
Jane

ABC's and Secrets

This list of the "ABC's and Secrets of a Beautiful Life" was written by my very close friend, Sue. She owns and operates a website called Designs by de'Maison - http://www.designsbydemaison.com

Please read this and share it with your loved ones...it includes some wonderful advice and heartfelt thoughts! I love it!

The ABC’s and Secrets of a Beautiful Life

A ~ Always accept a compliment with grace and confidence.
B ~ Be Kind to all - even the not so kind
C ~ Choose wisely, choices define who you are
D ~ Don’t share nasty gossip, and silly stories
E ~ Energize - Bring a breath of Fresh air to the room
F ~ Friendship - Be a trusted friend
G ~ Generosity - you never know who you help
H ~ Hinder no one’s dreams, for people who don’t have dreams don’t have much
I ~ Inspire the best in people, then be inspired by them
J ~ Judge your achievements by what they cost you to get them
K ~ Keep fast to your dreams for as you dream you become
L ~ Listen to the voice inside you
M ~ Mention to your friend, every now and then, that she is beautiful
N ~ Never miss a chance to laugh - or to cry
O ~ Offer your hand of assistance to All who need it
P ~ Perfection does not exist, please don’t waste your life looking for it
Q ~ Quietly speak your message, yelling only hurts your throat
R ~ Release you inhibition
S ~ Share your story with your children
T ~ Treat yourself to ice cream, tiramisu, and chocolate once in a while
U ~ Understand being alone is ok
V ~ Vision, sometimes it isn’t what you see, but rather, what you feel
W ~ Wisdom - Remember the wisest person in the room is the one listening
X ~ eXpect to fall sometimes, even the best do
Y ~ Your beliefs are important, don’t lose them to conformity
Z ~ Zest for life - develop one


Does she have a talent for writing or what?!?! I keep telling her to write and share more of her work--I'm glad to see she is listening! ;)

Until next time,
Jane