Hi Therese,
I was already busily writing this morning about one of the fellows I knew years ago – and how he inspired me and then I forgot the inspiration for a long, long time. But our inspirational go-to gals and guys are truly spiritual masters in some way that we perceive. We can imitate and grow – but we can also incorporate their good stuff with our good stuff and keep our own individuality. I am always most concerned about being ‘me’. I figure that’s the challenge of a lifetime. But, to be sure, it gives me food for thought and direction for the journey to model some of my heroic mentors.
Franco,
Today’s Quote – The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good. – Samuel Johnson
I finished college with the University of Maryland in its overseas program for the military. When I was a senior, we took a final exam in psychology – with the exception of one student who was away on a special assignment. All of us had studied together in a ‘group think’ to prepare for the final – again with the exception of the one student who was away. Upon his return, he asked the best student in the class to ‘study’ with him – even though that student had already taken the final. The student did so, in spite of the fact that there was no benefit to him and the risk that he might teach the test. Later, six months or so, the student wrote the professor and asked for a recommendation for grad school. The professor replied that he never gave letters of recommendation – ever – but in this case he was doing so…not because the student was his best student but because of the way he had treated someone who could do him absolutely no good. I had long forgotten that character lesson – until I read Today’s Quote.
I suspect that there is a pattern of conduct that emerges in the person who does good, just for goodness’ sake. My father told me if I wanted to know someone’s true nature to watch the way they treat people who are in service roles – waitresses, cashiers, ticket takers, etc. Last night, Nancy and I watched the Bucket List. In that story I observed Morgan Freeman share something with Jack Nicholson that Nicholson’s billions couldn’t buy. He shared his soul. But the cool thing is this, sharing of our soul (if that’s the right way to describe it) is always replenished or reciprocated so that you end up with more than you had to begin with. Anyhow, that’s the way it seems to me. I watch my mom and mother-in-law give of themselves in every exchange – it might be food or money or advice or love – doesn’t seem to matter. Their gifts to others enrich everyone involved – benefactor, beneficiary, even the observers.
Great, thought provoking quote.
Frank,