Email me: lylewisdom@gmail.com

Monday, May 31, 2010

Blind Ruin

The eyes of other people are the eyes that ruin us. If all but myself were blind, I should want neither fine clothes, fine houses, nor fine furniture. – Benjamin Franklin


Benji, if you were a woman you wouldn't be saying things like that.


(Other posts on Women)

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Worth of a Garden

A hundred objective measurements didn't sum the worth of a garden; only the delight of its users did that. Only the use made it mean something. - Lois McMaster Bujold


That it was made by a thinking rational person from the chaos of nature is what made it worth something.


(Other post on Value)

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Route to Happiness

Happiness, that grand mistress of the ceremonies in the dance of life, impels us through all its mazes and meanderings, but leads none of us by the same route. - Charles Caleb Colton 


Beware of prescriptions for happiness - the route will probably be wrong.


(Other posts on Advice)

Sunday, May 23, 2010

One Picture

You know, I've but one picture on my wall
That of my Grandmother
Who I never met at all

You don't see people like her today
No hunch of shoulder
No looking away


Original Sin she didn't know
No sign of guilt or shame
Even remotely show

She has unabashed open pride
Confidence in life
She doesn't hide

Determination is in her eyes
She could do anything

That's no surprise

Cause I've but one picture on my wall

That of my Grandmother
Who I never met at all



Yet I know her better than those
Who have bent my ear
With verse and prose



I've spent a lot of time under her gaze
She's kept me going

Throughout these days

None of which were as tough I'm sure
As those she met boldly
And did endure

I can see she is ready to laugh
The joke being on her

Or on her behalf


Gaiety is there ready to appear
Waiting to burst forth
With hearty cheer



She could dance with the best I'm told
Waltz or polka,
Slow or bold

I wish I could ask the next dance
(That I could keep up 

I'd have to chance)

And at the end I'd say thank you
For more than the turn
But for all you do


For all you've done by being there
To show me the way
That I might dare

For I've but one picture on my wall

That of my Grandmother
Who I'll never meet at all


- Lyle



Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Human Nature

Human action can be modified to some extent, but human nature cannot be changed. - Abraham Lincoln


Since your philosophy of life should be based on human nature it is extremely critical your analysis of human nature be correct.


(Other posts on Life)

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Educator's Task

To aid life, leaving it free, however, that is the basic task of the educator. - Maria Montessori 


No matter if you are teaching an animal, a child, or an adult it is not the push or pull which teaches; it is that well placed moment of release which gives a glimpse of Liberty that all beings seek.


(Other posts on Education)

Monday, May 17, 2010

Toothpaste Once Again

There should be no yelling in the home unless there is a fire. - David Oman McKay


In the end it really doesn't matter which end of the toothpaste tube is squeezed.


(Other posts on Marriage)

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Grand Image

A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery


A committee cannot envision a cathedral. It can only approve or deny the contemplation. They are particularly good at the latter.


(Other posts on Imagination)

Monday, May 10, 2010

The Devil is Fine

Uninvite the devil's advocate, since the devil doesn't need one, he's doing fine. - Seth Godin


Don't let the devil crash your best ideas.


(Other posts on Ideas)

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Quit?

In order to exist, every part of an organism must function; if it doesn’t, it atrophies. This applies to a man’s mind more than to any other faculty. In order actually to be alive properly, a man must use his mind constantly and productively. Every achievement is an incentive for the next achievement. What for? The creative happiness of achieving greater and more ambitious values in whatever field a man is using his mind. For a man to conclude, “I have enough, so I don’t have to think,” would be the same as deciding, “I am rich now and can get around in a wheelchair, so why use my legs?” - Ayn Rand


Add this to your retirement plan.


(Other posts on Work)