Subject: Thoughts from the TrestleBoard--8/97
Date: Sun, 03 Aug 1997 07:04:44 -0400
From: "Steven K. Robison"
To: Freemasonry-list@MASONIC.ORG

Extracts from the August, 1997 Jackson Lodge #146 TrestleBoard, for your consideration:

Seventeen Secrets to Success:

1. Keep your temper to yourself.
2. Give your enthusiasm to everybody.
3. Be yourself, forget yourself, become genuinely interested in the other person.
4. Be fair, honest, friendly--and you'll be admired and liked.
5. Make other people feel important.
6. Count your assets and stamp out self-pity.
7. Meet people at their own level.
8. Put your smile power to work.
9. Keep moving.
10. Keep trying.
11. Give the gift of heart.
12. Get off to a good start in anything you do.
13. Forgive yourself if you fail.
14. Be lavish with kindness.
15. Overwhelm people with your charm, not your power.
16. Keep your promises.
17. Be an optimist.

*****

When Duty comes a-knocking at your gate,
Welcome him in; for if you bid him wait,
He will depart only to come once more
And bring seven other duties to your door.
--Edwin Markham

*****

The only thing worse
than the babbling of fools
is to hear your own voice among them.
--Michael Cochran

*****

If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we always want to be happier than other people, which is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.
--Montesquieu

*****

We are not here to play, to dream, to drift,
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift;
Shun not the struggle, face it, 'tis God's gift.
--Maltbie B. Babcock

*****

Life

Life is like a journey taken on a train,
With two fellow travelers at each window pane:
I may sit beside you all the journey through
Or I may sit elsewhere, never knowing you;
But should fate mark me to sit by your side,
Let's be pleasant travelers, 'tis so short a ride.
--Anonymous

*****

Memory

My mind lets go a thousand things,
Like dates of wars and deaths of kings,
And yet recalls the very hour--
'Twas noon by yonder village tower,
And on the last blue noon in May--
The wind came briskly up this way,
Crisping the brook beside the road;
Then, pausing here, set down its load
Of pine-scents, and shook listlessly
Two petals from that wild-rose tree.
--Thomas Bailey Aldrich

*****

Enjoy!

Fraternally,
Steven K. Robison, PM
Secretary, 1996
Jackson Lodge #146
Seymour, IN