Words of Wisdom
 

The other day I read an interesting analysis of several articles. Each article emphasized one of the following.

 1. The Pythagoras Theorem consists of 24 words.
 2. The Lord’s Prayer has 66 words.
 3. The Archimedes Principle has 67 words.
 4. The Ten Commandments has 179 words.
 5. The Gettysburg Address has 386 words.
 6. The Declaration of Independence has 1300 words.
 7. The U.S. Regulation on the sale of cabbage has 26,911 words.

In contrast, the following bits of wisdom are much shorter than number 7 and much more meaningful. Maria Shriver was asked in a recent interview about the best days in her life; she said, “The day I was born and the day I learned why.”

 Through the years I’ve made it a habit to collect bits of humor. They stimulate my mind and add meaning to it.   Albert Schweitzer was asked one time what he did when he was depressed. He was a great philosopher; a great physician and a world class organist. His response was amazing. He said, “I go out and work in my rose garden.”   William James is considered by many as the greatest American born psychologist. His advice to himself and to others regarding depression was: “Act the way you want to feel and pretty soon you will be feeling the way you’re acting.” Amazing therapy.

 I often find that humor can also provide words of wisdom. A man was walking on the beach and accidently kicked and broke a bottle that released a genii.  For being released, the genii said he would grant him anything he wished. “Well, I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii but I’m afraid to fly and I don’t like going on a ship. Could you make a highway from L.A. to Honolulu?” The genii responded, “What is another choice?”

 The man thought about it and asked, “Could you make it so I will understand women?” The genii responded with these humorous words, “Would you like a two lane or a four lane highway?”

 Recently I found a good description of a list of success at various ages. At age four, success is not wetting his pants. At age twelve, success is having friends. At age sixteen, success is getting a driver’s license. At age twenty, success is having sex.  At age 35, success is having money. At age 50, success is having more money. At age 60, success is having sex. At age 70, success is getting a driver’s license. At age 75, success is having friends. At age 80, success is not wetting your pants.

 Several years ago I started collecting sayings or proverbs. I call them “Abersold’s Laws” and currently I have 55 of them.

 Here are a few samples. “The one who has the least emotional involvement controls the relationship.” Another one: “If you don’t profess so much, people will not expect so much.” Another one: “We do not cease to play because we grow old; but we grow old because we cease to play.”   Another one: “Lack of planning and preparation on your part does not constitute an emergency for me.”   A final one: “Each of us is important and has something to give; listen to the music within you and believe in yourself; don’t be afraid, and take the risk of living.”

 One of the best books I’ve ever read is, “Five Smooth Stones,” written by Ann Fairbairn. The basic theme of the book is a Latin proverb, “Life is loaned to man and not given.”

 When I was in Seminary and taking a class in homiletics (the art of preaching,) the professor challenged us with the words, “Remember to emotionalize the truth.” He was saying that as preachers they needed to give a viable illustration to clarify their ideas.   Illustrations are usually simple and emotional and seldom philosophical. They illustrate a single truth.

 In the 1930’s Admiral Richard Byrd was America’s leading explorer in the Arctic and Antarctic. On one trip to the Antarctic, he made plans to fly several hundred miles, deep into Antarctica. He was to stay in a half-submerged cabin for 6 months.   After a month of monitoring weather conditions and other studies, he decided to go outside. It was dangerous. Blizzards could quickly isolate him from his cabin. That’s what happened.   However, he didn’t lose his cool. He placed his staff in the ice and began to circle it. Never losing sight of his cabin and an eye on his pole; he make it back safely to the cabin.

 The truth it illustrates should be obvious. A goal will bring its own reward.

Amen. Selah. So be it.

 

WORDS TO THINK ABOUT

G. W. Abersold Ph.D.