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figured best start a post on this theme, today's devotion is a good place to start since it's not profiled previously- TLR
be sure and check out comments for future additions to this topic
life (14)
“We can only hope that all our friends and families can live long lives, looking at the moon together, across a thousand miles.”
SU DONGPO
‘There is a saying in Chinese art history that “ink has five colours”,’ says Zhou. ‘Ink has all that you need to depict the external world and to express yourself and whatever your artistic impulses have to say. Wood and Rock is a true embodiment of the artist’s state of mind at the time, which you can see so palpably in the painting.’
https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/su-dongpo-the-chinese-renaissance-man
Su Shi (1037-1101), literary name Su Dongpo, was more than your average Renaissance man. Hailed as one of the most revered, prodigious figures in Chinese culture, he was an artist, writer, philosopher, scientist and hugely influential politician. He executed vast civil engineering projects, championed economic reforms, withstood constant slander and persecution for his steadfast stance against the powerful New Policy Group, and was sentenced to two decades of exile in the lush Hubei province. There, undeterred by cruel fate, he composed some of the most scintillating verses in Chinese literary history, and adopted the name “Dongpo,” meaning “eastern slope.” He was also a famed gastronome, noted for penning the authoritative formula for (not sushi, sorry) a mean braised pork belly, Dongpo Pork (recipe here).
https://chinatripedia.com/su-shi-one-of-the-most-prominent-chinese-poet-during-the-song-dynasty/
Su Shi (苏轼) (1037-1101), also known as Su Dongpo (苏东坡), was one of the most prominent poets and cultural figures of the Song dynasty in China. He was a versatile scholar, poet, artist, calligrapher, and statesman, whose literary works and artistic achievements are still widely celebrated and studied today. Su Shi lived during a time of political turmoil and cultural change, and his life and works reflect the complexities and contradictions of his era.
May we get to look at the moon together across a thousand miles, a few miles or that hundreds that often separate us as we go through our lives. TLR
I came across the history of the Rotary 4 way test yesterday while doing some research on Rotary's Peace Development Leadership and was able to read about it more fully this morning. It's a good interesting history, the struggle. The test is on our office walls, it's a good reminder of how we should do life. It's interesting how you do not always get all the background on something unless you know the history, do a little research. Guess that is what I just did. Had those words on my wall for years, recited them for years at our Rotary meetings, and I feel I embraced their meaning for my life. However reflecting deeper, it's good to now know the history, in some small way it means more to me now. I see how my team could embrace this as well, an opportunity to share the Rotary test, as my mentor Jim Rohn often said, a clever short cut.
Of the things we think say or do ...
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build good will and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
May it be so.
Tim Ross
https://portal.clubrunner.ca/11826/page/history-of-the-four-way-test
The Four-Way Test, was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy.
One of the world’s most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is The Four-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy.
This 24-word test for employees to follow in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy. Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The Four-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways.
Story of the Four-Way Test By Herbert J. Taylor
Back in 1932, the Creditors of the Club Aluminum Company assigned me the task of saving the company from being closed out as a bankrupt organization. The company was a distributor of cookware and other household items. We found that the company owed its creditors over $400,000 more than its total assets. It was bankrupt but still alive.
At that time we borrowed $6,100 from a Chicago bank to give us a little cash on which to operate.
While we had a good product our competitors also had fine cookware with well advertised brand names. Our company also had some fine people working for it, but our competitors also had the same. Our competitors were naturally in much stronger financial condition than we were.
The Four-Way Test, created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (served as RI president, 1954-1955)
With tremendous obstacles and handicaps facing us we felt that we must develop in our organization something which our competitors would not have in equal amount. We decided that it should be the character, dependability and service mindedness of our personnel.
We determined, first, to be very careful in the selection of our personnel and, second, to help them become better men and women as they progressed with our company.
We believed that “In right there is might” and we determined to do our best to always be right. Our industry, as was true of scores of other industries, had a code of ethics but the code was long, almost impossible to memorize and therefore impractical. We felt that we needed a simple measuring stick of ethics which everyone in the company could quickly memorize. We also believed that the proposed test should not tell our people what they must do, but ask them questions which would make it possible for them to find out whether their proposed plans, policies, statements or actions were right or wrong.
Considerable time was spent in developing four short questions which now make up the Four-Way Test. Here are the four questions:
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build good will and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
I placed this little test under the glass top of my desk and determined to try it out for a few days before talking to anyone else in the company about it. I had a very discouraging experience. I almost threw it into the wastepaper basket the first day when I checked everything that passed over my desk with the first question, “Is it the truth?” I never realized before how far I often was from the truth and how many untruths appeared in our company’s literature, letters and advertising.
After about sixty days of faithful constant effort on my part to live up to the Four-Way Test I was thoroughly sold on its great worth and at the same time greatly humiliated, and at times discouraged, with my own performance as president of the company. I had, however, made sufficient progress in living up to the Four-Way Test to feel qualified to talk to some of my associates about it. I discussed: it with my four department heads. You may be interested in knowing the religious faith of these four men. One was a Roman Catholic, the second a Christian Scientist, the third an Orthodox Jew and the fourth a Presbyterian.
I asked each man whether or not there was anything in the Four Way Test which was contrary to the doctrines and ideals of his particular faith. They all four agreed that truth, justice, friendliness and helpfulness not only coincided with their religious ideals, but that if constantly applied in business they should result in greater success and progress. These four men agreed to use the Four Way Test in checking proposed plans, policies, statements and advertising of the company. Later, all employees were asked to memorize and use the Four-Way Test in their relations with others.
The checking of advertising copy against the Four-Way Test resulted in the elimination of statements the truth of which could not be proved. All superlatives such as the words better, best, greatest and finest disappeared from our advertisements. As a result, the public gradually placed more confidence in what we stated in our advertisements and bought more of our products.
The constant use of the Four-Way Test caused us to change our policies covering relations with competitors. We eliminated all adverse or detrimental comments on our competitors’ products from our advertisements and literature.
When we found an opportunity to speak well of our competitors we did so. Thus, we gained the confidence and friendship of our competitors.
The application of the Four-Way Test to our relations with our own personnel and that of our suppliers and customers helped us to win their friendship and good will. We have learned that the friendship and confidence of those with whom we associate is essential to permanent success in business.
Through over twenty years of sincere effort on the part of our personnel, we have been making steady progress toward reaching the ideals expressed in the Four-Way Test. We have been rewarded with a steady increase in sales, profits and earnings of our personnel. From a bankrupt condition in 1932 our company has paid its debts in full, has paid its stockholders over one million dollars in dividends and has a present value of over two million dollars. All of these rewards have come from a cash investment of only $6,100, the Four-Way Test and some good hard working people who have faith in God and high ideals.
Intangible dividends from the use of the Four-Way Test have been even greater than the financial ones. We have enjoyed a constant increase in the good will, friendship and confidence of our customers, our competitors and the public and what is even more valuable, a great improvement in the moral character of our own personnel.
We have found that you cannot constantly apply the Four-Way Test to all your relations with others eight hours each day in, business without getting into the habit of doing it in your home, social and community life. You thus become a better father, a better friend and a better citizen.”
I came across this story on facebook a couple day's ago, wonderful story, made me almost shed a tear. Enjoy, Reflect
TLR
Today someone asked about my fork tattoo (which most of the time I forget I have) but I’m glad they did. I needed the reminder of what it symbolized. I have a couple friends that are going through tough times right now. I hope they find peace in this message. For those who don’t know what it means, I’ll share the story below.
“There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things ‘in order,’ she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
‘There’s one more thing,’ she said excitedly.
‘What’s that?’ came the Pastor’s reply.
‘This is very important,’ the young woman continued. ‘I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.’
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
‘That surprises you, doesn’t it?’ the young woman asked.
‘Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,’ said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. ‘My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, ‘Keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!’
‘So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, ‘What’s with the fork?!’ Then I want you to tell them: ‘Keep your fork. The best is yet to come.’
The Pastor’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman’s casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, ‘What’s with the fork?’ And over and over again he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died.
He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.”
So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed.
They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share
. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility
And just remember…keep your fork!
The BEST is yet to come!”
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3835595673205675&set=a.105152419583371
A noble goal to only be working 4 days a week.
We have set our office hours to be open Monday through Thursday when we are not in the heart of tax season. We have been doing this for several years now. It works for our team. When ever I start finding I can't get everything done we start looking for a new team member. It's not a perfect solution, I would love a 3 day a week work week, however this has helped us grow and take better care of our clients. Team member can book personal stuff on their days off so that helps everyone focus when they are in.
Personally I monitor usually everyday, as the owner, I rely on my team at Brock Shores Financial to serve our clients, to show up , to look for opportunities to bring value to our clients and to our company.
My plan for this post is to accumulate info on the 4 day model, hopefully this resource will inspire, encourage and help reach this noble goal for others and ourselves.
https://www.youneedabudget.com/careers/
Video Description Content
As we head into Thanksgiving, how do we give thanks to our good Shepherd? As we continue to interiorize Psalm 23, we can be grateful that our Good Shepherd is personal and provides all we need and want. "The Lord is MY Shepherd, I shall not WANT..." As Pastor Mike shared, we make Psalm 23 to be IN us so He can provide daily the joy, comfort, and peace He provides as our Shepherd. We fear no evil because His rod and staff comfort us: picture that GM truck (Goodness and Mercy) protecting us when we walk through that valley of darkness. As Louie Giglio reminds us, He prepares a table for us IN the presence of our enemies. As Mike shared about his morning prayer time when his own thoughts were leading him to a dark place, he turned to Psalm 23 and God stopped at: He makes me lie down... Keller tells us sheep don't lie down until 4 conditions are met: no fear, no friction with others, no parasites, no anxiety about food. Just as that crying baby needs a mom to comfort her before she can rest, we need the Shepherd to help us lie down: the problems (or diaper rash!) may still be there, but as a Mom is greater than a baby's cries so the Shepherd is greater than our struggles.
The Shepherd guides us and when our thoughts are not good, we pray for Him to give us HIS thoughts. He restores our souls and leads us to the still waters and lets us know when we're drinking from the wrong places that don't satisfy our thirst. He provides just enough 'green pastures' every day and as Ray VanderLaan reminds us: don't let tomorrow's worries rob us of today's green pastures.
As you interiorize this Psalm, let each phrase saturate with meaning that you may know God and especially this week: GIVE THANKS for all His good gifts: He is our Shepherd who provides all we need, restores us, guides us, and makes us lie down: thank you, Lord!
“PSALM 23: A PSALM FOR THE LIVING #3”
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” – Ps 23: 1-3.
GREEN PASTURES:
Ray VanderLaan brings a great understanding of this. It’s natural for us to imagine the “green pastures” as “belly-deep alfalfa” because we’ve grown up in an American farm country where the pastures are lush. This skews our understanding, however. In Judea, “green pastures” are little sprigs of green sprouting from under rocks. There is just enough for today – and that’s OK because our shepherd is trustworthy.
STILL WATERS:
Clouds rolling in off the Mediterranean Sea will drop rain on the “high country” in Judea. As the watershed collects and merges hundreds of streams into a single channel, it rushes down deep ravines into the desert en route to the dead sea hundreds of feet below. A person (or sheep) could be lazily drinking water from a small pool in just such a ravine and be blasted by a 20’ wall of water, even though the sky is blue and the birds are singing.
When we “thirst” in life, (when we have a need and seek fulfillment) we often look for the closest, easiest waterhole. We have no way of knowing that it’s raining in the mountains. Nor do we know for sure that the water is clean. Simply put, before you drink, look to your Shepherd – He can see what you can’t; He knows what you don’t, or look to Him for help when you’re about to drink what you know you shouldn’t. His desire is for your wellness, He will lead you to water that is “good for you” and “in a safe place”. Ask, “Is this good for me? Is it safe?”
RESTORES MY SOUL: The green pastures and good, safe water has had its good effect.
“Restores” in the scripture can refer to “a straying sheep brought back” (Isaiah 49:5, Psalm 60:1). This is what a good shepherd does (read and remember His steady love – Ps. 103:8-13).
This phrase also means, “brings me to repentance”. Not only does He bring me back physically, He turns my desires around. I was desiring the wrong way and He turned my desires back to Him and what He gives – light & life. What good are green pastures, still waters, and a dark soul?
HE LEADS ME:
The Shepherd is a guide. The sheep do not need to know where the green pastures or still waters are, all they need to know is where the shepherd is.
IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS:
The Shepherd does not only comfort and restore, He guides the sheep into what is right. God’s guidance of us has (of course) a moral aspect. As we hear His voice, and obey His commands, He will lead us on the right path. There are many paths through life, fraught with danger, but in His goodness, He will guide us even when the way seems dark and foreboding…
Some good thoughts sent to my email this morning by Mark And Angel
5 Quotes and Notes We Need to Read 5 Times a Day Until They Sink In
1. Build friendships with people who aren’t your age. Spend time around those whose first language isn’t English. Get to know someone who doesn’t come from the same social class. Listen. Be humble and teachable. This is how you learn and grow. This is how you see the world.
2. You’ll always be too much for someone—too sensitive, too big, too loud… too edgy. And if you round out your edges to make them happy, you’ll lose your edge. Take this to heart! Apologize for your mistakes—for being perfectly human. But don’t apologize for being who you are.
3. You won't always be a priority to others, and that's why you have to be a priority to yourself. Learn to respect yourself, take care of yourself, and become a big part of your own support system. Remember, your needs matter! Start meeting them. Don't wait on others to choose you. Choose yourself!
4. There is good reason why you should wake each morning and mindfully consider what and who you will give your day to. Because unlike other things in life – goals, money, respect, good health, hope, success, and many more – time is the one thing you can never get back once it’s gone.
5. Starting today, make your time count! Love what you do, until you can do what you love. Love where you are, until you can be where you love. Love the people you’re with, until you can be with the people you love most. Put your whole heart and soul into the present! This is the way we find happiness, opportunity, peace, and progress on the average day...
YES, YOU CAN THINK BETTER about yourself and your place in the world, which means you can tap into your inner strength and ultimately live better, one day at a time...
Truth be told, life will get better when YOU get better. Start investing in yourself mentally and physically. Make it a priority to learn and grow a little bit every day. The stronger you grow and become, the better your life will feel in the long run.
And YES, I know that's sometimes much easier said than done, but you are NOT alone on this journey!
Many of us are right there with you, working hard to stay strong and do the right things for ourselves.
This brings me to a myth I hear all the time about insurance.
"It's too expensive."
No, it is not.
Here's what an insurance policy does for your clients:
1. It diversifies their wealth. This might be the only remaining free lunch out there.
2. It optimizes their wealth by reducing long-term taxes, as insurance policies are tax-exempt.
3. It shifts risk away from families at a low cost to someone willing to take on that risk.
4. It makes the estate planning process easier for your beneficiaries. Life insurance policies pay out expediently to the heirs, bypassing the estating process, which means less hassle and faster money.
These are all enormous benefits to our clients.
"If you present insurance positively and showcase its benefits, you will find clients will stop seeing insurance as a cost and treat it as an asset. It is well priced and has massive value for my family. "
Weekend Warriors clarion call. Will start off with this great email I got this morning from OZY Weekender, Enjoy ! Check out the comments for future ideas
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“Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.”
LEO BURNETT
Interesting article
Tim
We are really like Blades of Grass
Ping, right in the email, another great encouraging message from Mark and Angel.
Saying No, that must be the answer, saying Yes is sometimes a better option. Weighing those two choices is so important if you think about it. Zoom Zoom TLR
.......
Logically, you know it’s okay to...
- Say “no”
- Speak up
- Tell the truth
- Believe differently
- Change your mind
- Prioritize your needs
- Learn from your mistakes
- Embrace your imperfections
- Forgive and seek forgiveness
- Begin again, stronger than before
Yet, you often seek the exact opposite when life gets stressful and you’re under pressure.
You do the wrong things even when you know better.
Because your mind has so many little weaknesses. It becomes forgetful and insensible when it’s stressed.
Get to there Website, lots of inspirational resources
make your own breakfast and cereal , a little extra work, with major investment in your well being, we literally ground the grains and pulled the ears off the corn stalks for this one
Make a major decision with confidence
Maybe it’s taking the time to build a fence to add some structure to your lot lines, Blessed by friends who help move the project along
