I am not much one for New Year’s resolutions. That is why it was easy during the week after Christmas to make the following resolution: No 2018 resolutions.
But, I did ponder what I might do or do differently in the coming year that would improve my life in some respect. I determined that reflecting from time to time on some basic truths will likely give me some better perspectives on life and keep me grounded. But where to find those basic truths?
It has long been my habit to save memorable sayings of others old and new. So, I reviewed my nine pages of those and share the following, in some cases paraphrased and with my current commentary as to source and meaning:
“In three words I can express all I have learned about life – it goes on.” (Robert Frost) This can be encouraging or discouraging, depending on where you are at the moment. If you have some optimism about your ability to withstand a current problem, “hanging in there” with the constancy of life can get you through. If you see no way out, the sense that this continues on can bring despair. Those who are walking through grief of loss need to hear that, while they are entitled to stop and withdraw from the course of life for a bit, it does go on.
“Quality, speed and low price. Pick any two.” (Unknown) This is an expression of the “Project Management Triangle” as a model of the constraints of project management. While its origins are unclear, it has been used since at least the 1950s. It basically contends, among other things, that (i) the quality of work is constrained by the project’s budget, deadlines and scope (features) and (ii) changes in one constraint necessitate changes in others to compensate or quality will suffer. Therefore, something I want fast and cheap will likely be of low quality; something I want fast and high quality will not be cheap; and something I want cheap and high quality may not even exist.
“Nothing changes if nothing changes.” (Pastor Ronnie Falvey) On first Sunday of 2018, our wonderful pastor at First Baptist Church Madison preached a sermon exhorting us to exercise better spiritual habits and expand our faith beyond our comfort zones. One truth I have observed in the elder law practice is that no one likes change. But those who make changes designed for their benefit reap great rewards.
Note: This one is similar to the following: “You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
“Work like you don’t need money, love like you’ve never been hurt,
Dance like nobody’s watching, and above all – live like there is no tomorrow.” (Anonymous) This was my daughter Melissa’s email footer when she worked at her first job in 2002. She experienced, endured, worked through and ultimately conquered some extremely difficult circumstances in her early adult life, and she is now an exemplary wife/mother/woman. So, I think this one must be a good one.
“There are two great days in a person’s life: The day you are born, and the day you understand why.” (Reginald Blunt) This was spoken most eloquently by an over-60, ponytailed, suit-and-tied former crack addict as he described how a Gideon Bible given to him a few decades ago caused him to struggle with the “why” questions in his life. Now he knows why and shares it with a beautiful humility. And his deep baritone acapella rendition of The Old Rugged Cross is simply transportive.
And finally, from the logo of the Children’s Defense Fund, a private non-profit organization that educates and advocates for the needs of children:
“Dear Lord, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small.”
Amen.