Tuesday, July 21, 2009

from a famous advice columnist....


Keep skid chains on your tongue. Always say less than you think. Cultivate a low, persuasive voice. How you say it often counts more than what you say.

Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully, no matter what the cost.

Never let an opportunity pass to say a kind and encouraging word to or about somebody. Praise good work, regardless of who did it.

Be interested in others: their pursuits, their work, their homes and their families. Make merry with those who rejoice: with those who weep, mourn. Let everyone you meet, however humble, feel that you regard him as a person of importance.

Be cheerful. Don't burden or depress those around you by dwelling on your aches and pains and small disappointments. Remember, everyone is carrying some kind of a burden.

Keep an open mind. Discuss but don't argue. It is a mark of a superior mind to be able to disagree without being disagreeable.

Let your virtues, if you have any, speak for themselves. Refuse to talk about the vices of others. Discourage gossip. It is a waste of valuable time and can be destructive and hurtful.

Take into consideration the feelings of others. Wit and humor at the expense of another is never worth the pain that may be inflicted.

Pay no attention to ill-natured remarks about you. Remember, the person who carried the message may not be the most accurate reporter in the world. Simply live so that nobody will believe him. Disordered nerves and bad digestion are a common cause of backbiting.

Don't be anxious about the credit due you. Do your best and be patient. Forget about yourself and let others "remember". Success is much sweeter that way

9 comments:

denis said...

THANK YOU gary. i very much enjoyed it.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

Although, realistically, I like to gossip! And when somebody does me wrong? Gonna get 'em......

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

I'm gonna work on cultivating a "low pervasive voice today"... Oh, that was "persuasive," wasn't it!?... Well, that's a different matter entirely! (Thanks for sharing the words of wisdom Gary)

Anonymous said...

who's advice is this, the mermaid?

Gary's third pottery blog said...

would you trust somebody with a fish tail?????

Otto Wenger said...

I'm imagining her with a low persuasive voice!

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is great Gary!!!

Reverend Awesome said...

I enjoy gossiping myself. I mean no harm by it. It's just interesting!

The rest of this is excellent advice!! Where is this from? Did Spike write this?

Unknown said...

Sounds more like Penny to me. Spike's too lazy to bother thinking all that good stuff up. But Penny and her people (you and Maude) seem to me to be more of that set of mind, which is greatly to be admired and de-sired!