QUOTES, NOTES AND ANECDOTES II
By Dr. Bill Welker
August 22, 2018
(Author's note: This is the second column in a two-part series on life's "learning lessons" through the medium of quotes and their in-depth meanings. Today, we will discuss how to succeed in life, kindness, true wealth, and self-forgiveness.)
Quotes are words of inspiration that guide us in living productive lives. Some might say they are just cliques used over and over again. There's a very good reason for that. It's simple; they have universal qualities. They were true in the past, are true now, and will be true in the future.
Here are my notes and anecdotes regarding the following personal quotes I developed from a lifetime of learning:
"To succeed in life, you must first conquer the ultimate opponent - yourself."
Notes & Anecdotes: As an athlete, the majority of the matches I lost in wrestling occurred way before the bout ever started. I beat myself with negative thoughts crowding my mind, such as worrying about losing. Everybody has moments where they allow unproductive thoughts to enter their minds that control their inability to perform to their fullest potential in sports and life.
The key to avoiding such mental breakdowns (as Norman Vincent Peale stressed in his bestselling book) is the ability to think positively when confronted with any of life's challenges. You must learn to believe in yourselves and then you can conquer any obstacle that gets in your way.
"Think positive thoughts!"
"I have much more faith in a kind man than I do in mankind."
Notes & Anecdotes: When I just started teaching at Ohio County Schools' Warwood Junior High School, my family (all five of us) decided to visit my parents in Pennsylvania over the Easter weekend. The following anecdote vividly illustrates one man's act of kindness.
When we left on Thursday morning, the weather was beautiful on the five-hour drive across Pennsylvania to my hometown - Shamokin. Mom and Dad were excited about seeing their grandkids, especially our new addition to the family.
The visit was wonderful and, as always, it was hard to say good-bye Easter Sunday after church.
It was another sunny day when we started home.
After a couple of hours driving, we stopped at Dave's Dream, in the Hollidaysburg area, to enjoy a mid-afternoon meal. The diner also sold delicious homemade bread and pies. After purchasing raisin bread for Peggy upon leaving, I had ten dollars left in my wallet. But that was no problem because our next stop would be Wheeling.
As we passed Huntingdon, it started to snow lightly. But as we traveled further west, it turned into a blizzard. Nearing Ebensburg, I couldn't see ten feet in front of me as I slowly drove up a long incline.
At the top of the hill which is part of the eastern edge of the Allegheny Mountains, I realized we could go no further.
Fortunately, I knew that there was a motel close by. As we drove into the parking lot of The Cottage Inn, my car slid to a stop. We parked in front of the motel office.
I led the way as the family entered the motel. We had to get in line because others were also seeking shelter from the elements. When I approached the desk clerk, I realized I only had ten dollars to my name.
I explained to the clerk my family's predicament, and that I would send him a check on Monday when we reached home. I even went as far as to offer him my Pitt class ring as collateral.
He looked at Peggy and the kids and said, "I'm sorry, sir, but it costs
$35.00 a room. Don't you have a credit card?"
"No, I don't."
"Then I can't help you."
"But what about my family?"
"I'm sorry, but that's your problem."
A man, who was right behind us, stepped forward and said, "Put his room fare on my credit card."
I didn't know what to say, but "Thank you so much; I'll send you a check Monday."
"I'm not worried about that; I didn't want your family sleeping in the car all night. My name's Dr. Miller; I'm a dentist in Greensburg."
"Well, Dr. Miller, Peggy and I can't thank you enough. What is your address?"
"Here's my business card."
I then introduced him to my family and told him that I was a teacher from Wheeling. He told us he had been there many times and wished us a safe trip the rest of the way home.
That Monday I sent a check to him and a "Letter to the Editor" of the Greensburg newspaper, expressing my gratitude to Dr. Miller.
I promised myself that I would do the same for a person in need someday in the future.
Since then, I fulfilled that commitment, a number of times.
"To truly make a difference in life does not involve acquiring great wealth…but possessing the ability to teach."
Notes & Anecdotes: Oh yes, we all admire many of the rich and famous we view on TV or in the movies, that is, until we learn about their true, not so impressive and immoral, character.
But when you really think about it, who you remember and revere the most are teachers who inspired you in life. These teachers were found in the classroom, on the playing field, at home, and people who inspired and pushed you to believe in yourself and your individual unique abilities.
As for myself, I have often learned from the teachings of men and women I worked with as an educator and as a common laborer over the years. They weren't rich and famous. In fact, they were my teachers and coaches, parents and grandparents, older educators (especially Lynn Holderman - who I worshiped as a master teacher), custodians, older friends, and wise men and women I worked with as a steelworker in the summer months as a student in Pittsburgh, and as a summer roofer and maintenance worker during my early teaching years in Wheeling.
Yes, they were my teachers in life with riches that far exceeded one's bank account or fame - and will be a part of my life experiences that I will always cherish.
"Sometimes the hardest people to forgive are ourselves"
Notes & Anecdotes: Ask any man or woman of character, and they will tell you that there were former acts in their lives for which they have trouble forgiving themselves. In truth, we are often more able to forgive others, but it's much tougher to forgive ourselves.
There's a quote I once heard: "Dear God, forgive us for the sins of our youth."
Raise your hand if this quote hits home. It certainly does for me.
Many of us have prayed to God for forgiveness and I personally believe He has always forgiven us. But because of our inability to have the faith of a "Mustard Seed," we still have trouble forgiving ourselves.
In essence, we fail to fully understand the very significant fact that God is love - "Unconditional Love" - and He has always forgiven us even before we asked.
(Dr. Bill Welker can be contacted at mattalkwv@hotmail.com
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