Wolfie
Alien
- Joined
- May 31, 2009
- Messages
- 899
I learned a couple of hours ago that my grandfather died this past weekend. It wasn't a surprise, as he's been fighting cancer for some time. I'm not close to my family but this man got to me, in a good way. I do feel guilty that I didn't collect the cash to go see him when I knew he was getting worse but I thought I could at least take a moment to share some of his words that have stuck with me over the years while I smoke a Dark Sumatra.
About respect:
Don't make things too easy for people. Don't give away your respect. People must learn the value of these things.
Your mother doesn't always make sense, but she was the oldest of 13...she must have learned something from all that, yeah? Gotta be worth something.
Everybody deserves to be listened to, even if they don't have anything useful to say.
Everybody says or does something stupid at some point.
About life and people:
Don't write anything down. Don't tell anybody anything...keep in all in your head. That way, it's harder to replace you!
I'm over 80 years old. The doctor isn't half that. He may know more about medicine but I know more about life.
A lot of things in life are an acquired taste. Now eat your tempeh, it's good for you.
Not everything is good for your body...but you have to keep your spirit healthy, too. Moderation.
Some people like games so much as a child, they end up playing games all their lives.
You have to pay your dues and put in your time. If it comes easy, where's the value in that?
The most valuable freebies are the ones that cost you...or that you don't get credit for
(said to me when I mentioning a professor had asked me privately if I was interested in auditing an advanced course off the record, but which meant an extra 9 hours a week. I did do it, and it was the most miserable and exhausting and rewarding academic year I ever had)
It's the nature of our species to try to make things better, easier, faster. Remember, there's always a tradeoff, though.
About rules:
Rules aren't a measure of right and wrong...just what somebody thinks is the way things should work.
One thing I learned as an electrician in the army...There are lots of ways to make things work. Only one of them is 'by the book'. Sometimes you just have to make do with what you have.
Breaking the rules...you might be considered innovative. You might equally be considered a cheat. So, when you break them, think hard...and make sure you prove you were right! *wink*
About respect:
Don't make things too easy for people. Don't give away your respect. People must learn the value of these things.
Your mother doesn't always make sense, but she was the oldest of 13...she must have learned something from all that, yeah? Gotta be worth something.
Everybody deserves to be listened to, even if they don't have anything useful to say.
Everybody says or does something stupid at some point.
About life and people:
Don't write anything down. Don't tell anybody anything...keep in all in your head. That way, it's harder to replace you!
I'm over 80 years old. The doctor isn't half that. He may know more about medicine but I know more about life.
A lot of things in life are an acquired taste. Now eat your tempeh, it's good for you.
Not everything is good for your body...but you have to keep your spirit healthy, too. Moderation.
Some people like games so much as a child, they end up playing games all their lives.
You have to pay your dues and put in your time. If it comes easy, where's the value in that?
The most valuable freebies are the ones that cost you...or that you don't get credit for
(said to me when I mentioning a professor had asked me privately if I was interested in auditing an advanced course off the record, but which meant an extra 9 hours a week. I did do it, and it was the most miserable and exhausting and rewarding academic year I ever had)
It's the nature of our species to try to make things better, easier, faster. Remember, there's always a tradeoff, though.
About rules:
Rules aren't a measure of right and wrong...just what somebody thinks is the way things should work.
One thing I learned as an electrician in the army...There are lots of ways to make things work. Only one of them is 'by the book'. Sometimes you just have to make do with what you have.
Breaking the rules...you might be considered innovative. You might equally be considered a cheat. So, when you break them, think hard...and make sure you prove you were right! *wink*
