Experiencing things on the walk of life

As one grows older on this great planet Earth, you experience many things in your walk of life. Some things are a very pleasant experience and some not so pleasant. Such has been the experience of Genie and mine this past week. 

 

On the pleasant side, the heading, “These kids are getting married” on the invitation to the wedding of “Brooke and Beau” to be held at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea on Saturday the 20th of September, two thousand and twenty-five at three o’clock in the afternoon. 

 

Brooke and Beau are a bit older than the 20 year olds first marriage nowadays, (They are in their 30’s.) In attending the wedding ceremony, Genie and I were both convinced this was a marriage that was meant to be the beginning of a lasting, long-term marriage. 

 

Another pleasant experience this past week was the breakfast at the community center in Geneva as put on by the fire department volunteers in Geneva. This is the kind of event that makes one proud to be living in rural America. My definition of rural America is, “Where two out of three people are related and the third one knows the other two real good!! 

 

I read the following many years ago by a person named Christian D. Larson. 

 

In my opinion it is a very powerful use of philosophy. (I hope you agree!!) 

 

To be strong that nothing

Can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity 

To every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel

That there is something in them

To look at the sunny side of everything

And make your optimism come true. 

To think only the best, to work only for the best, 

And to expect only the best. 

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others

As you are about your own. 

To forget the mistakes of the past

And press on to the greater achievements of the future. 

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times

And give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself

That you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear

And too happy to permit the presence of trouble. 

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world

Not in loud words but great deeds.

To live in faith that the whole world is on your side

So long as you are true to the best that is in you.

 

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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.