Some of us need to listen more

[Ray]

“If someone is able to show me that what I think or do is not right, I will happily change, for I seek the truth, by which no one was ever truly harmed. It is the person who continues in his self-deception and ignorance who is harmed.”

Marcus Aurelius

 

 

This is going to be another great week. I am back with no impending surgery so I can restart my daily exercise routine and get back on my weight loss track. Not only that the Indianapolis theatre and arts scene is back in full swing. Yesterday I saw the Actors Theatre of Indiana’s excellent production of Gypsy at the Studio Theatre located in the Carmel Performing Arts Center. As usual ATI’s outstanding professionals did an amazing job and I highly recommend the show to my Indiana friends. Next week I will be seeing the Civic Theatres production of Chorus Line on the big stage at the Booth Tarkington theatre, I am always amazed by the high quality of the Civics’ offerings and I am sure I will again next Sunday. And I’ll top my September musical comedy experience with the Beef and Board’s production of Chicago, this nationally recognized equity company continues to dazzle in this its fortieth year.

Just so you don’t think I am spending all my time absorbing the rewards that come from attending live theatre I want you to know I also will be attending a lecture on US – China relations at Marian University and a lecture on the Constitution which is the first lecture in the Shepherd’s Center’s Domestic Decisions series. Fortunately there will be time left over to attend various meeting, welcome some of my friends to the Kiwanis experience and more. I am really glad I am retired for if I weren’t I wouldn’t have time for all I get to do.

~~~

Just a quick aside triggered by the political noise that is going on all around US these days; I get somewhat disheartened as I listen to so many that are only interested in telling us what they want us to hear and who have little time to listen to our thoughts. Sometime ago I said that one of the great secrets of living a productive life is the understanding that we don’t know everything and we are not even close to always being right. Those who keep an open mind have a great advantage, they usually are right about many of the things they know and often don’t know very much about things others know. Fortunately their open mind results in two way communication, first offering their thoughts and then listening to another’s view, it is this give and take dialogue that creates a synergism that often brings us closer to the truth.

I know it is not always easy to stop and listen to those who disagree with us, but if we don’t we lose the chance to either validate our opinions or correct our views. I know one thing we are not going to get very far in this country if we don’t quit digging our heels in and start talking to each other.

~~~

“The world is full of people who have never, since childhood, met an open doorway with an open mind.”

E.B. White

~~~

Memory of an accident in a Uniontown, Pennsylvania cemetery:

Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake

Stepped on the gas Instead of the brake.

~~~

Farmer Joe was suing a trucking company for injuries sustained in an accident.  In court, the company's fancy lawyer was questioning Farmer Joe. "Didn't you say, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine?'" asked the lawyer.

Farmer Joe responded, "Well, I'll tell you what happened. I had just loaded my favorite mule, Bessie, into the . . ."

"I didn't ask for any details," the lawyer interrupted. "Just answer the question.  Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine?'"

Farmer Joe continued, "Well, I had just got Bessie into the trailer and I was driving down the road . . ."

The lawyer interrupted again and said, "Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman that he was just fine. Now, several months after the accident, he is suing my client. I believe he is a fraud.  Please tell him to simply answer the question."

But the judge was interested in Farmer Joe's story and said to the lawyer, I'd like to hear what he has to say about his mule, Bessie. Joe thanked the judge and proceeded.  "Well, as I was saying, I had just loaded Bessie, my favorite mule, into the trailer and was driving her down the highway when this huge semi-truck and trailer ran the stop sign and smacked my truck right in the side.

"I was thrown into one ditch and Bessie was thrown into the other.  I was hurting real bad and didn't want to move. However, I could hear ol' Bessie moaning and groaning.  I knew she was in terrible shape just by her groans. "Shortly after the accident, a highway patrolman came on the scene.  He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning so he went over to her.  After he looked at her, he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes.  Then the patrolman came across the road with his gun in his hand and looked at me.

"He said, 'Your mule was in such bad shape I had to shoot her.  How are you feeling?'"

~~~

Take my advice. I'm not using it!

~~~

       You Know Your In Trouble When

A black cat crosses your path and drops dead.

The bride's family throws rocks instead of rice.

The candles on your cake set off your smoke alarm.

You take an assertiveness training course and you're afraid to tell your wife.

You're so lonely that you invite the peeping Tom in... and he says no.

Your children's school calls to surrender.

Your mother approves of the person you're dating.

Your plants do better when you don't talk to them.

~~~

Your secrets are safe with me and all my friends.

~~~

Little Johnny and Little Mary were talking one day. Little Mary asked "what is the highest number you have ever counted up?" "I counted up to 1,279 once" Johnny answered. "WoW!

Really? Why did you stop at 1,279?"

Mary asked. "Because church was over."

~~~

The best way to prove your inferiority is to espouse you superiority.

Ray Mitchell

~~~

A devoutly Christian couple felt it important to own an equally Christian pet. So, after careful inquiry, they went shopping at a kennel specializing in Christian dogs.  They found a dog they liked quite a lot.  When they asked the dog to fetch the Bible, he did it in a flash.  When they instructed him to look up Psalm 23, he complied eagerly, using his paws with dexterity. They were impressed; they immediately purchased the animal, and went home (piously of course).

That night they had friends over. They were so proud of their new Christian dog and his religious skills, they called the dog and began showing him off.  The friends were impressed, and asked whether the dog was able to do any of the usual dog tricks, as well. This stopped the couple cold, as they hadn't thought about "normal" tricks.

"Well," they said, "let's find out."   Once more they called the dog, and they clearly pronounced the command, "Heel!"  Quick as a wink, the dog jumped up, put his paw on the guest's forehead, closed his eyes, and began to pray.

~~~

“An open mind is not an end in itself but a means to the end of finding truth.”

Peter Kreeft

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

 

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

 

This daily is sent only to special people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at [e-mail]. Back issues are posted at http://raykiwsp.wordpress.com/ currently there are about 2000 readers from around the world.