“Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

-
  I HEARD a thousand blended notes   While in a grove I sate reclined,  In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts  Bring sad thoughts to the mind.  To her fair works did Nature link  The human soul that through me ran;  And much it grieved my heart to think  What Man has made of Man.  Through primrose tufts, in that sweet bower,  The periwinkle trail’d its wreaths;  And ’tis my faith that every flower  Enjoys the air it breathes.  The birds around me hopp’d and play’d,  Their thoughts I cannot measure,—  But the least motion which they made  It seem’d a thrill of pleasure.  The budding twigs spread out their fan  To catch the breezy air;  And I must think, do all I can,  That there was pleasure there.  If this belief from heaven be sent,  If such be Nature’s holy plan,  Have I not reason to lament  What Man has made of Man?

10 People Who Influenced My Life

-

 

  1. My Father, who formed in me the discipline of organization. 
  2. One former boss (who shall remain unnamed), who was the text-book anti-model of leadership.
  3. John Maxwell, positive leadership influencer.
  4. John Michael Talbot. Monk, musician. Shepherd. His music calmed my soul.
  5. Dr. and Mrs. Wilson, ( my Grandparents) who showed me there’s a bigger world out there with people who need love, help. They modeled consistency.
  6. Mrs. Llewelyn, who nurtured my love for music by making me mixed tapes of music to study over summer breaks. Those pieces have become my favorites.
  7. My Step-mother. She got me to all my private lessons and rooted for my success—even when I didn’t know it.
  8. Rick, who introduced me to CrossFit. I bless him and curse him.
  9. Edgar Allan Poe. Rewarding the hours and hours of reading with questions and goosebumps. 
  10. Marcus Aurelius, by leaving himself notes and reminders to be wise, strong, just, and courageous.

Popular posts from this blog

The Smooth-flowing Life

-
Image
Legend has it that the astronomer Ptolemy (1st century A.D.) suggested that falling stars were caused by the gods moving in the heavens, thus knocking stars out of their places. Somehow people reasoned that that if the gods were moving, they must be getting close to earth so they would lift their "prayers" or "wishes" (literally, "desires") whenever they saw the stars falling in hopes the gods would notice and grant a favorable answer. But how does one wish on falling star? Once you see it, it's gone before the wish or prayer can be made! The answer is simple: meteor shower. That's how to get your wish. Mrs. Ann Hodges had a wish fall right into her lap. Sort of. In 1954 Mrs. Hodges was sleeping on the couch when a 8 1/2 pound meteorite fell through her house and into her living room where it bounced off the radio and struck her left hip leaving her with a bruise. Not sure what she was wishing, but that's not how to do it. Epictetus hel...
Read more

Rock Me, Epictetus!

-
Image
“Keep constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things?” EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.3.6 b –8 
Read more