In dwelling on the past,
you may lose the present
and forego the future...

Three Rules of Work
Out of clutter find simplicity;
From discord find harmony;
in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

The Art of Living
by: Muriel Spurr, 1928

My portion is not large indeed.
But then, how little do I need?
For Nature's calls are few.
In this the art of living lies:
To want no more than may suffice,
And make that little do.

Desiderata
by: Max Ehrmann, 1952

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser
persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing
fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you
in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace
with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Letter from a Reader

Hi Deanna,

I'm writing 'cause I recently discovered the amazing works of Ben Franklin. I read an excerpt from his auto-biography in an American History book. I was surprised to find he'd written one 'cause I'd never heard of it before. I got a copy of his autobiography and read it. I must admit when I began reading it, it was mostly to try to educate myself. I thought I'd probably be bored and I'd have to force myself to read every word. However, happily, I discovered I was mistaken.

Each new day I eagerly read snatches of his experiences and philosophy. Each problem he encountered, he used as a tool to develop a new pattern of behavior which could help him avoid facing that same problem in the future. His life strategy was admirable in a multitude of ways and this is why he was able to accomplish so much in life. It worked!

Now, I'm trying to live each day by remembering his strategies and applying them to my life. If more people studied Ben Franklin and used him as a role model for life, I believe the world would be a lot less chaotic and much better off then it is today.

I often feel people have too much time on their hands and waste it unproductively. Can you imagine if the world was filled with Ben Franklins, what we'd be accomplishing to better the world for humanity? Ben was human with faults as we all are, but he made the world a better place and was one of the first proponents of free speech in America.

Did you know he never went to high school, let alone college? And yet how many people know his name or look forward to one of those Ben Franklin's ($100 bill) being placed in their hands? My advice is to learn from him and bring new productive energy into this increasingly frenzied world. That's what I'm trying to do.

Keep up with the quotes!

Sandra Aitken

Rules for Making Oneself A Disagreeable Companion
1750
By Ben Franklin

RULES, by the Observation of which, a Man of Wit and Learning, may nonetheless make himself a disagreeable Companion.

Your Business is to shine; therefore you must by all means prevent the shining of others, for their Brightness may make yours the less distinguished. To this End:

2. If when you are out of Breath, one of the Company should seize the Opportunity of saying something; watch his Words, and, if possible, find somewhat either in his Sentiment or Expression immediately to contradict and raise a Dispute upon. Rather than fail, criticise even his Grammar.

3. If another should be saying an indisputably good Thing; either give no Attention to it; or interrupt him; or draw away the Attention of others; or, if you can guess what he would be at, be quick and say it before him; or, if he gets it said, and you perceive the Company pleased with it, own it to be a good Thing, and withal remark that it had been said by Bacon, Locke, Bayle, or some other eminent Writer; thus you deprive him of the Reputation he might have gained by it, and gain some yourself, as you hereby show your great Reading and Memory.

4. When modest Men have been thus treated by you a few times, they will choose ever after to be silent in your Company; then you may shine on without Fear of a Rival; rallying them at the same time for their Dullness, which will be to you a new Fund of Wit.

Previous Ben Franklin Quotes of the Day

Poor Richard's Almanack
"You may delay, but time will not."

Poor Richard's Almanack
"Spare and have is better than
spend and crave."

Poor Richard's Almanack
"Be at war with your vices,
at peace with your neighbors,
and may every new year,
find you a better man."

Ben Franklin's Almanac of Wit, Wisdom, and Practical Advice: Useful Tips and Fascinating Facts for Every Day of the Year