NAPKIN WORDS #74 2010
1. ASKING THE UNASKED
I wonder how many of us can answer
the question: WHO ARE WE?
Or maybe, the more important question:
WHY SO MANY OF US NEVER INSIST
ON ASKING?
2. WHO AND WHAT OF LIFE
Wisdom does not just wish to know who
did something that became a historical
accomplishment.
It also wants to learn what motivated them
to have such an accomplishment. That should
be the most major concern of all who love
histories wisdom!
3. AT THAT ONE POINT OF TIME
The only moment that time is movement,
is when you pay attention, watch and
understand its significant passing in
great anticipation, without ever having
an expectation of disappointment.
Disappointments happen, so why waste
the beauty of anticipation for something
so sad?
4. SEEING THE SEA INSIDE
Each and every wave of our thoughts
exist in an ever growing ocean of our
soul, ebbing, flowing, upon that most
beautiful beach inside, which we call
our heart!
5. TRAGEDY AND COMEDY
Laughter is the first success over any
tragedy.
The tragedy is that it does not last.
It is just a step that leads to a cure.
Regardless how disastrous the tragedy,
take that first step, for it is the hardest of
them all!
6. CAN YOU HEAR THE MUSIC
Elation is the greatest teacher of smiling
through each and every dance of our joy!
7. TOOLS
Imagination
Paper
Pen, pencil or electronic device
Waste: Simply failure to use any of the above!
8. WILL THE PROBLEM BE HUBRIS
Let us take a look at the great nation of China,
for once again this giant is rising.
The question is, will it show modesty to others,
or will it wish them to be small?
This has always been a common problem of
nations growing large, after they once were
large and then were forced, by history, or
circumstances, to suddenly be small, considered
to be inconsequential to other powers. For this
certainly did happen to China when she was weak
under the hubris of history over the past couple of
hundreds of years.
The problem will not be with the Chinese people,
for in all fields of knowledge they have been
exceptional, original, and most innovative and
inventive. Think of Acupuncture (580 BC), ball
bearings (2nd century BC,) first printed book
(AD 868), cast iron (5th century BC), collapsible
umbrella (5th century BC,) magnetic needle
compass (1088 AD), cross bow (5th century BC),
Firecrackers (290 AD,) folding chairs (3rd century
AD), Porcelain (3rd century BC), Reel on fishing
rod (3rd century AD), Silk, inoculation against
Smallpox (10 century AD), stirrup (AD 300), etc.*
It will be the few who rule the many at this one
moment in time. It is they who will provide the
answers to this most import of questions!
TWELVE ELVES BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY
They were twelve elves born on Christmas day,
weighing very heavy in cribs where they lay.
Mrs. Santa asked “How many do tell?”
Jack Frost replied, “Oh they are many,
yet all doing very well!”
Their growth was rapid, yet their stature
was small,
they were taught all of knowledge
every spring, summer and fall.
By the time they were five, all
worked on toys,
creating and then packaging all of
Christmas joys.
Then they turned twelve, riding high
in the sky,
landing upon roof tops on their
very first try.
Santa was aging, though he still seemed
a teen,
leaping through chimneys like a
jumping bean.
The merry elf children shined Rudolph’s
nose,
cleansed all the stalls from where
those reindeer rose.
As they raced all the stars around the
night,
Santa, reindeer and elves were a
marvelous sight.
When some children on earth early arose,
they found wished for presents wrapped
in bright rainbow bows.
As Santa in red flew high and away,
he shouted with a laugh
“Until next Christmas day!”
Then he flew to the moon or so it seems,
as the rest of earth’s children slept with
their Christmas dreams.
When they awoke, rushed to the tree,
there were their presents for all to
see.
So all speak with laughter, forget shedding
a tear,
a most Merry Christmas,
and a wondrous
New Year!
by Edward Hunter
* This information is from a great book titled: THE MAN WHO LOVED CHINA by Simon Winchester, which tells the amazing story of Joseph Needham. A must read for anyone who wishes to learn of China past, China future.