"Success"

"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men, and the love of little childern; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of Earths beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best they had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction."---Bessie Anderson Stanley

It never fails to amaze me how much poets and authors seem to borrow(steal) from each other. The above is the poem Cory referred to earlier, which by the way still resides in my wallet where it's been for 14 years.(since dad died)

Here once again is the one she posted this morning....
"The definition of success - to laugh much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affections of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give one's self; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded."---Ralph Waldo Emerson

When I checked both parties out on Wikepedia, Bessie is acclaimed to be the author of a poem called Success, which they go on to claim is often erroneously credited to Ralph. As I researched further, it appears (appears I say) that the version credited to Ralph is indeed just a bastardized version of Bessies, which others have then erroneously attributed to Ralph. I sure hope so, because I love this little piece of wisdom, and I wouldn't want to think that Bessie stole big chunks of it. After all she didn't publish it until some years after Ralph was dead.

So what does this all have to do with the price of tea in China. Well nothing other than to make the point that this stuff is good for me, and even if it's obvious that I am struggling, it has nothing to do with writing this blog, or for that matter with my training. These 2 things are both very good for me, and I don't know where I'd be without them. Whether my challenges are still a hangover from my illness, or caused by other stuff I do not know. What I do know is that the ongoing dialogue with family and friends is a significant aspect of my mental health, and also that there are other people out there reading the comments others make and enjoy them as much if not more. Just the other day I got a great note from a friend who I did not know was a regular reader, and she commented specifically as to how she enjoyed the comments from my family and friends.

So as always thanks so much for your wise thoughts. I am a little worried however with both Roo and Mary suddenly being nice to Cory....I would watch your back Cory!!

Oh and on my training today....I went back to the hills and did the 10 I was supposed to do yesterday. I was a bit slow, and I'm a bit sore, but after all it was the first time out in somewhat colder weather, so I'm good with that. I know that I worked hard....my little voice was pushing me....

For Mary...the real problem with your teary eyes is that you're trying to watch where you're going! Just stare mindlessly at the ground, and keep pedalling! if that doesn't work for you get one of these...
http://www.bulabula.com/products/#/?catalogueId=5&categoryId=13&productId=255&modelId=1465

I wish to dedicate day 62 to my grampa, Peter Rooyakkers, because as I am reminded of my dad I think of his dad.

"Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it." ~Jacques Prévert
because....

"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers."---M. Scott Peck

love
peter