A Soulful Journey

In 1884 a young American died on a visit to Europe. His grieving parents began to think of establishing a living memorial in his memory. They decided to try something in the field of education, a memorial that would go on year after year helping to educate young people. They arranged an appointment with Charles Elliot, president of Harvard, who was annoyed to have his time taken by two such plain and unpretentious people.  Impatiently, he inquired what he could do for them. They apologized for taking up his valuable time, and explained that they wanted to establish a memorial in their son’s name.  The haughty man suggested, in a crisp manner, that perhaps they had in mind a scholarship. The mother, in a soft and patient voice, said that they were thinking of something more substantial, perhaps a new building on the Harvard campus. With a patronizing air, Elliot explained that she was suggesting something that will take a great deal of money. Looking them up and down,...

“My cousin and his wife own and operate a delicatessen. My aunt is the cashier. When my family was visiting, we went to the deli for lunch. As we pushed our trays to the cash register, my aunt spotted my son and told him the only payment she wanted was a kiss. He kissed her, my other son kissed her, my husband kissed her, and just after I had kissed, I saw the man behind the me smile and put away his wallet.”  - Lynda Howey Do not assume.

There was a rich and rather autocratic employer who believed in telling people exactly what to do and no questions asked. When he asked a new employee where he worked previously, the answer was, “in a barbershop.” ”All right, you can cut my hair,” commanded the man of quick decision as he sent for comb and sisters.   The new worker had been warned by other employees to do exactly as he was told and to ask no questions. So he cut the man’s hair. When the employer in the mirror and saw a most ill-cut head of hair, he let out a howl of range, turned to the trembling employee and asked him in a loud voice, “Just what did you do in the barbershop?” " I shined shoes,” answered the employee. Make no assumptions.

Three statisticians go deer hunting with bows and arrows.  They spot a big buck and take aim.  One shoots, and his arrow flies off ten feet to the right.  The second shoots, and his arrow goes ten feet to the left.  The third statistician jumps up and down yelling, "We got him!  We got him!"  -Bill Butz With words and actions there is no "averaging out," there is only  the reality of what has been done.