NO. 991 - WHEN YOU ARE FEELING DOWN!
No. 991
Jim Davidson -- NEWSPAPER COLUMN
WHEN YOU ARE FEELING DOWN!
One of the wonderful things about writing this column is that I get responses from so many interesting and delightful people. A while back I got an e-mail from a gentleman by the name of Glen Hobbs, who reads my column in the Bolivar Commercial published in Cleveland, Miss. In response to a column titled, “Just Color Me Square,” here is what he had to say.
“I am from the ole school at 65 years of age, (thank God.) As you pointed out our generation of too many people have lost their true American values. Our parents were not concerned about little Johnnie the way our parents educated us, went to church with us, and provided for us through hardships and struggles.
“We as a people (many) whine because we are of a certain ethnic group and use this as an excuse for not working and relying on and taking advantage of local, state, and federal assistance programs for a lifetime of support. I know it doesn’t matter, but I am a Black man, a native of Winona, Mississippi. My parents were nurturing, caring and stressed educational growth to its highest levels of achievement. My siblings (5) along with me attended stateside universities earning our B.S. degrees and beyond. We were not taught to be arrogant, we were not bullied or placed on a pedestal because of our potentials, ‘SQUARE’ that I was according to some of my schoolmates’ standards during that time period.
“Today, I am proud that I was a square, especially when I visit my hometown and am told that Joe is in prison for illegal drug manufacture/sales. Betty is dead from a drug overdose, and the list of negatives of the ‘in-crowd and hip group’ goes on and on … that makes me proud to have been a public school teacher for 25 years. I instilled in my students some of the ole school values that I was taught as a child and young adult, that I still live by today. Just Keep On – Coloring Me Square, it’s alright. May God continue to bless and use you.”
Well, Glen, I can tell you for sure, He is continuing to bless me and I shall be forever grateful. We have the same values. They are actually Godly values that have been around for many centuries. They are still here and can be learned by any literate person who will take time to read the Holy Bible. With his e-mail Glen also included a piece titled, ‘When You Are Feeling Down.” It does not say whether or not he is the author, but with your permission I would like to share this piece because there are some really good points in the article.
WHEN YOU ARE FEELING DOWN: If you want your dreams to come true, don’t oversleep. 2. The smallest good deed is better than the greatest intention. 3. Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. 4. The best vitamin for making friends is B1. 5. The 10 commandments are not multiple choices. 6. The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. 7. Minds are like parachutes … they function only when open. 8. Ideas won’t work unless YOU do. 9. One thing you can’t recycle is wasted time. 10. One who lacks the courage to start has already finished. 11. The heaviest thing to carry is a grudge.
12. Don’t learn safety rules by accident. 13. We lie the loudest when we lie to ourselves. 14. Jumping to conclusions can be bad exercise. 15. A turtle only makes progress when he sticks his neck out. 16. One thing you can give and still keep … is your word. 17. A friend walks in when everyone else walks out. 18. The pursuit of happiness is: the chase of a lifetime!
Thanks Glen, and to you dear reader, hope you found something here you can use.
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(Editor’s Note: THE DEAL OF THE CENTURY – Begin your day on a positive note – 365 days for $12. This will benefit the Bookcase for Every Child project. Go to www.apositivemomentwithjim.com to subscribe.)
