Some time ago I was in a Barnes and Noble participating in the less-than-noble act of reading at the news stand.  Sure I could have bought the magazine I was previewing (o.k. …reading cover-to-cover), but then I would have fallen short of living the definition of a miser, right?

So anyway, I was thumbing through the handful of periodicals written specifically for drummers, when my eyes happened upon an interview that I should have made a more concerted effort to save. 

The percussionists name escapes me…but his truth really resonates at a much deeper level than just music.  He said, and I’m paraphrasing here…“I don’t concern myself with what I don’t know how to play, I simply try to focus on playing that which I do know…well, and at the right time.” 

God must have been trying to get my attention, because a short while later I saw the same quote, nearly word for word, and alas it is attributable.

Point To Ponder:

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” 

- John Wooden

Sagacious advice that each of us, no doubt, can apply to our present condition.

What?!  It’s not Monday!  And the subject line doesn’t say, “Point To Ponder!”  So what’s this you ask?

Actually I’m answering, for everyone’s benefit, a question that has surfaced a couple of times regarding the weekly quotes. 

Most recently my cousin Michele, and mother-in-law Pat asked about my source…so here is my reply to this FAQ.

The genesis of the Monday morning ritual is rooted in my desire to simply stay in touch with people via e-mail.  (Without having to discuss the weather.) 

What’s interesting is….by having this self imposed deadline looming every Monday morning…I find that I’m on the look out all week long for something to share.  It’s almost like having a homework assignment or school project that’s about to come due.  In some some ways it’s a natural extension of the habits I picked up preparing for a daily morning show.  (Which I haven’t done in six years!)

To answer the question specifically, Linda is always getting good books out of the library…so many of the quotes come from there, but I also skim them from other people’s e-mailings, magazines, advertisements, et cetera.  Basically…if it’s on the printed page, it’s fair game.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received in recent years was from a fellow writer who suggested that I read constantly.  Sound advice considering our own ideas percolate through a filter filled to the brim with the perspectives of others.  (Hey that could be a Point-To-Ponder right there!) 

Let’s try it in quotes shall we!

“Our own ideas percolate through a filter filled to the brim with the perspectives of others.” 

Mmm….

Then of course there’s that nagging part of the writing process that beckons us back to hone, refine, rearrange, and hopefully improve the message.  Like this…

“Since our own ideas percolate through the perspectives of others, it is to our advantage to fill the filter to capacity.” - Randy Spicer

I think that’s a keeper!

Until Monday…keep smilin’,

“Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day;

wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit.”
- Elbert Hubbard

“A dream becomes a goal when action is taken toward it’s

achievement.” - Bo Bennett

May your actions be as bold as your dreams!

“Be not angry that you cannot make others

as you wish them to be, since you cannot

make yourself as you wish to be.”         

                             - Thomas a Kempis