Friday 31 August 2012

Growth

Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure 
nor this thing nor that, but simply growth. 
We are happy when we are growing. 
 -  William Butler Yeats.

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Natural

The least strained and most natural ways 
of the soul are the most beautiful; 
the best occupations are the least forced.   
– Michel de Montaigne

Monday 27 August 2012

Fate

Whatever fate befalls you, do not give way 
to great rejoicings or great lamentation; 
partly because all things are full of change, 
and your fortune may turn at any moment; 
partly because men are so apt to be deceived 
in their judgment as to what is good or bad for them.   
- Schopenhauer.

Friday 24 August 2012

Think

Think for yourselves, and let others
 enjoy the privilege to do so, too. 
– Voltaire

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Clouds

Clouds come floating into my life, 
no longer to carry rain or usher storm, 
but to add color to my sunset sky.   
- Rabindranath Tagore

Monday 20 August 2012

Problems

Some problems require attention.   
Some will go away on their own.   
Others won’t change no matter what you do. 
  - Douglas Vermeeren

Friday 17 August 2012

August 17, 2012 Chautauqua


From the Editor's Computer 


     By the time you read this, the Olympic Games in London will be only a memory.  As with every Games, there were surprises and upsets, underdogs and medals won.  Our Canadian athletes did very well, and set some new records.  While every athlete cannot win a medal, each and every competitor is to be commended for qualifying.

   As per usual, there were also criticisms of the Olympic committee for various reasons.  I think people have forgotten the old cliché “when in Rome do as the Romans.” 

   One of the reasons for different countries hosting the Olympic Games is to expose us to different cultures and customs.  While there are some standards that must be met to ensure a level playing field for the athletes, the Games should not be exactly the same at each venue.  It would totally defeat the purpose if everything was done exactly the same.

   How can we learn from each other if we all think alike and view the world the same?  How can we see the world around us from different perspectives, if our views are the same.  If we do everything exactly the same as everyone else, how can we learn possible better methods? 

   We need our differences.  Just because something is done differently than you do it, doesn’t mean it won’t get done.  Maybe it will be done better.  Maybe it will be done faster.  And, maybe it will be done wrong (in your opinion). 

   But you won’t know for sure unless you let others do things in their own way.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kUcgrvFBt5hgks3z1aYA3ZKlQBE-EXqw/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.

Wednesday 15 August 2012

Different

It’s okay to say – 
why reinvent the wheel?   
But you should always find
 a different way to drive the cart.   
- Douglas Vermeeren

Monday 13 August 2012

Will

Simply change your thoughts
 from “should do” to “will do” 
and you will notice amazing results.  
 - Douglas Vermeeren

Friday 10 August 2012

Steps

If you constantly follow in the steps of others
 you will lose your way in life.
 - Bernie Siegel

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Path

Everything is laid out for you.
Your path is straight ahead of you.
Sometimes it is invisible but it’s there.
You may not know where it’s going,
But you have to follow that path.
It the path to the Creator.
It’s the only path there is.   
– Chief Leon Shenandoah

Monday 6 August 2012

Home

[I]t is surprising how people will go
 to a distance for what
 they may have at home. 
- Samuel Johnson.

Friday 3 August 2012

August 3, 2012 Chautauqua


From the Editor's Computer

   Ah, the lazy days of summer………………... 

   Did you know it was the lazy people who have improved our lives.    Look at how many of our inventions resulted from someone being lazy?

  • the lightbulb - someone was too lazy to clean, fill, and handle a multitude of kerosene lamps.
  • wrinkle-free textiles - someone was too lazy to iron.
  • automobile - someone was too lazy to care for horses and maintain a buggy and/or wagon
  • email - someone was too lazy to hand-write a letter or memo and put it in an envelope, put a stamp on it and mail it.

   If you think you aren’t lazy just look around you at the various gadgets in your life.  I’m sure many of them allow you to be lazy in some form or another.  As do many decisions you make each and every day.

   If you have a task that you want completed more efficiently, ask an inherently lazy person to do it.  A lazy person won’t dilly-dally, or make a job more complicated by adding unnecessary steps to the process. 

   No, a lazy person will complete the task in the most efficient, streamlined manner possible, so they can go back to being lazy!

   Being overly busy, or constantly on the go, will not get you where you want to be, but properly applied laziness will.

   Rejoice in your laziness, and allow it to make your life easier and more enjoyable.  And don’t be surprised if others want to know your secret. 

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1czwbD3mktPG1_g-FmLhWHkhWTOnAp885/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Direction

Sometimes the path you’re on
 is not as important as
 the direction you are heading. 
 – Kevin Smith