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’,