"Brevity is the soul of wit." - Shakespeare

Ah, Brevity.
What a treat, a cool drink on a stifling August day.
We each have endured sermons that dragged on and on, the classroom lecture from which only the bell could rescue and meetings without structure or end. Whew!

I was first introduced to the above quote by my high school English teacher, Mr. Baker. He signed my year book with Shakespeare’s quote and added: “you are brief.” I attempt to
apply those words in many aspects. Thank you Mr. B.

Clown acts, speeches, writings all were/are revised and trimmed, only the essentials to remain. A distillation of ideas, an economy of words, is the goal.

Jim Rohn says it best of all: “Jesus the master teacher said: 'Follow me.' That's brief! And He was able to do that because of all that He was that He didn't have to say."

Many times we listen to someone’s babbling, telling us much more than they know.
If I catch myself trying to make up for, in words, what I lack in being I know it’s time to get back to work on me.

In giving advice on public speaking, F.D.R., our 32nd President, applying his own council said:
“Be sincere, be brief, be seated.”

I’ll sit down now.


I would love to hear your thoughts.
mj

My Cinderella

Piercing deep blue eyes. Waist length, golden locks draping her shoulders, and cascading down the pale pink gown.
She could have been an angel.

Her name was Cindy. Could it be short for Cinderella?
Was Walt right? Dreams really DO come true? Was I to be her Prince Charming?
My heart had stopped! (That can’t be good for you.) Then, just as quickly, it began to ascend out of my chest, ears drumming with each passionate thump. I had never experienced such depth of emotion.
It had to be love. First sight too.
My life was complete. We should certainly spend eternity together.

I approached…. Hesitated….”Come on P.C. go for it!” It was Walt.
Courage bolstered, my advance resumed. I stood face to face with magnificence.
Gasping for breath, bumbling for words, I croaked out “Hi.”
And this skank she was with said ‘Cu mon Cindy, let’s go.’ Real snotty like you know?!
They left me there, all alone.
She would not even give me the time of day. Well, maybe she couldn't.
That was something we were going to learn how to do that year in Kindergarten,
you know, tell time.

Be advised that ol’ P.C. was not deterred after that first dismal encounter. That had to have been the skanks fault, I rationalized.
Courage, determination, and perseverance were traits that Walt championed.
I would have my Princess.

Then one day at nap time I could not believe my good fortune. There, on the classroom floor, was an open spot next to my goddess.
Slyly, avoiding eye contact, I casually spread my magic carpet (Mom’s old bathroom rug) next to my fair-haired vision. I instantly laid down, being sure to face away in an effort to not look obvious or seem too pushy.
What peace, what joy, what exhilaration flooded my little being.
At last, we were together.
Oh for just one look.
Would she be looking at me? Would she be smiling? Would we talk?
With my sweetest smile I slowly turned to face her and….
She was gone!!
The little witch was gone!
She had up and moved her rug across the room leaving me there all alone, once again.
So what’s a guy to do?

What do you have to say about that one, Mr.D?

It is said: ‘It’s nice to be the King!’ That may be true.
But from my experience, Prince Charmings gig is highly overrated.

Genius, Power & Magic

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.
I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!"

W. H. Murray in The Scottish Himalaya Expedition, 1951.