I Don't Know the Secret to Success

But the key to failure is to try to please everyone.   

The story is told of a painter who desired to produce one work which would please the entire world.  She drew a picture which required her utmost skill and took it to the public marketplace.  She posted directions at the bottom of the piece for spectators to mark with a brush each portion of the picture that didn't meet their approval.  The spectators came and, in general, applauded the work.  But each, eager to make a personal critique, marked a small portion of the picture.  By evening, the painter was mortified to fine the entire picture had became a blot.

The next day the painter returned with a copy of the first picture.  This time she asked the spectators to mark the portions of the work they admired.  The spectators again complied.  When the artist returned several hours later, she found every stroke that had been panned the day before had received praise by this day's critics.

The artist concluded, "I now believe the best way to please one-half of the world is not to mind what the other says."

People will always have an opinion about what we say or do.  That is why we live our lives according to the words of the Bible--God's opinion.  Then we will not fret over the opinions of others.

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other."

Matthew 6:24

These Are My Wishes For You



May you find serenity and tranquility
in a world you may not always understand.

May the pain you have known
and the conflict you have experienced
give you the strength to walk through life
facing each new situation with courage and optimism.

Always know that there are those
whose love and understanding will always be there,
even when you feel most alone.

May a kind word,
a reassuring touch,
and a warm smile
be yours every day of your life,
and may you give these gifts
as well as receive them.

May the teachings of those you admire
become part of you,
so that you may call upon them.

Remember, those whose lives you have touched
and who have touched yours
are always a part of you,
even if the encounters were less than you would have wished.
It is the content of the encounter
that is more important than its form.

May you not become too concerned with material matters,
but instead place immeasurable value
on the goodness in your heart.
Find time in each day to see beauty and love
in the world around you.

Realize that what you feel you lack in one regard
you may be more than compensated for in another.
What you feel you lack in the present
may become one of your strengths in the future.
May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility.
Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.

May you find enough inner strength
to determine your own worth by yourself,
and not be dependent
on another's judgment of your accomplishments.

May you always feel loved.
Sandra Sturtz Hauss

"But these things I plan won't happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass,  Just be patient!  They will not be overdue a single day!"

Habakkuk 2:3

I Don't Know the Secret to Success

But the key to failure is to try to please everyone.   

The story is told of a painter who desired to produce one work which would please the entire world.  She drew a picture which required her utmost skill and took it to the public marketplace.  She posted directions at the bottom of the piece for spectators to mark with a brush each portion of the picture that didn't meet their approval.  The spectators came and, in general, applauded the work.  But each, eager to make a personal critique, marked a small portion of the picture.  By evening, the painter was mortified to fine the entire picture had became a blot.

The next day the painter returned with a copy of the first picture.  This time she asked the spectators to mark the portions of the work they admired.  The spectators again complied.  When the artist returned several hours later, she found every stroke that had been panned the day before had received praise by this day's critics.

The artist concluded, "I now believe the best way to please one-half of the world is not to mind what the other says."

People will always have an opinion about what we say or do.  That is why we live our lives according to the words of the Bible--God's opinion.  Then we will not fret over the opinions of others.

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other."

Matthew 6:24