Counterintuitive Truth

The hardest decisions in life occur when we must choose between two good things:

Honesty or Loyalty?

Justice or Mercy?

Frugality or Generosity?

These often come into conflict, do they not?

If one could remove the vitriol from political debates, these are the six beautiful sisters we would see in a magnificent tug-of-war: Honesty, Justice and Frugality on one side ——– Loyalty, Mercy and Generosity on the other.

Let us hope neither side ever wins.

A person not doing anything is often exactly what they seem.

If you want to get something done, ask a busy person.

Rick Sorenson, one of my partners, tells of the day he decided to plunge headlong into the riptide of life. His moment of truth arrived when he saw himself dead and buried. On the tombstone six feet above him appeared these tragic words: He Had Potential.

Sorenson read those words and immediately leaped into the churning sea of life.

Do the storms ever cease on that sea?

A ship in harbor is safe – but that is not what ships are for.”

– John A. Shedd

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

– Mark Twain

You are busy because you do things.

You are getting things done.

You are having Mark Twain’s adventure.

You are not torn between two beautiful things.

You are torn between three: Work and Rest and Play.

Which of these three have you sat in the corner with her face turned to the wall?

Why have you chosen just two of these when all three are required for happiness?

I have given you many things to think about today.

I will think about them, too.

Roy H. Williams