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 children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it;
Who has left the world better than he found it,
Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;
Whose life was an inspiration;
Whose memory a benediction.
By Caroline Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ Stanley (1904)
Caroline Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ Stanley (maiden name Anderson) was born on 25 March 1879 in Newton, Iowa, United States of America. She became a schoolteacher, a mother, and a writer. Her poem, “Success,” was written in 1904 for a contest in “Brown Book Magazine,” a publication of the George Livingston Richards Company of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America. The competition was to answer the question, “What is success?” in 100 words or less. Mrs. Stanley won the first prize of $250, which she used to pay off the mortgage on her home. Caroline Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ Stanley passed on at 73 years of age on 2 October 1952 in Kansas City, Kansas, United States of America.
Image shown: Photograph of a cluster of flowering daffodil plants, with long thin dark green leaves and white petal-like blossoms having yellow cup-shaped blossoms at their centers, growing at the edge of a woods of widely spaced trees with tall thin trunks, and the words, ‘Visit www.MakeFunOfLife.net.’
Continue scrolling down this website page to read the next article, or click or tap on these words to read “Humor And Inspiration And Learning About Failures And Successes” Gathered By David Hugh Beaumont.
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 children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it;
Who has left the world better than he found it,
Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;
Whose life was an inspiration;
Whose memory a benediction.
By Caroline Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ Stanley (1904)
Caroline Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ Stanley (maiden name Anderson) was born on 25 March 1879 in Newton, Iowa, United States of America. She became a schoolteacher, a mother, and a writer. Her poem, “Success,” was written in 1904 for a contest in “Brown Book Magazine,” a publication of the George Livingston Richards Company of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America. The competition was to answer the question, “What is success?” in 100 words or less. Mrs. Stanley won the first prize of $250, which she used to pay off the mortgage on her home. Caroline Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ Stanley passed on at 73 years of age on 2 October 1952 in Kansas City, Kansas, United States of America.
Image shown: Photograph of a cluster of flowering daffodil plants, with long thin dark green leaves and white petal-like blossoms having yellow cup-shaped blossoms at their centers, growing at the edge of a woods of widely spaced trees with tall thin trunks, and the words, ‘Visit www.MakeFunOfLife.net.’
Continue scrolling down this website page to read the next article, or click or tap on these words to read “Humor And Inspiration And Learning About Failures And Successes” Gathered By David Hugh Beaumont.
Beautiful Thoughts
Beautiful thoughts do not arise,
In the mind of their own volition;
You must choose your thoughts just as carefully
As you choose a friend, or physician.
It is only by thinking and living each day
On planes that are lofty and true,
That beautiful thoughts and a noble soul
Will come and abide with you.
Good thoughts are like flowers that grew from the seeds
Which you planted one day in the spring;
And since you selected the seeds which you sowed,
You knew just what flowers they’d bring.
And so are thoughts which will live in your mind,
If you will permit their admission;
The good ones will lead you to heaven and God,
While the others pave roads to perdition.
So choose well the thoughts which shall guide you each day,
Since you know what results they will bring;
Then yours will be truly a beautiful life
Which will cause you to smile and to sing.
By Author Unknown
Image shown: Photograph of a field of daisies with white flower petals having yellow centers, under a partially cloudy sky, and the words, ‘Visit www.MakeFunOfLife.net.’
Continue scrolling down this website page to read the rest of the article, or click or tap on these words to read “Humor And Inspiration And Learning About Affirmations And Self-Talk” Gathered By David Hugh Beaumont.
Beautiful thoughts do not arise,
In the mind of their own volition;
You must choose your thoughts just as carefully
As you choose a friend, or physician.
It is only by thinking and living each day
On planes that are lofty and true,
That beautiful thoughts and a noble soul
Will come and abide with you.
Good thoughts are like flowers that grew from the seeds
Which you planted one day in the spring;
And since you selected the seeds which you sowed,
You knew just what flowers they’d bring.
And so are thoughts which will live in your mind,
If you will permit their admission;
The good ones will lead you to heaven and God,
While the others pave roads to perdition.
So choose well the thoughts which shall guide you each day,
Since you know what results they will bring;
Then yours will be truly a beautiful life
Which will cause you to smile and to sing.
By Author Unknown
Image shown: Photograph of a field of daisies with white flower petals having yellow centers, under a partially cloudy sky, and the words, ‘Visit www.MakeFunOfLife.net.’
Continue scrolling down this website page to read the rest of the article, or click or tap on these words to read “Humor And Inspiration And Learning About Affirmations And Self-Talk” Gathered By David Hugh Beaumont.
How To Change The World
When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I could not change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I could not change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I understand that if, long ago, I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.
By Author Unknown: Attributed to an unidentified monk (about C.E. 1100)
By Author Unknown: Attributed to an unidentified monk (about C.E. 1100)
Laugh A Little Bit
Here’s a motto, just your fit -
Laugh a little bit.
When you think you’ve trouble hit,
Laugh a little bit.
Look misfortune in the face.
Brave the beldam*’s rude grimace;
Ten to one ’twill yield its place,
If you have the wit and grit
Just to laugh a little bit.
Keep your face with sunshine lit,
Laugh a little bit.
All the shadows off will flit,
If you have the grit and wit
Just to laugh a little bit.
Cherish this as sacred writ -
Laugh a little bit.
Keep it with you, sample it,
Laugh a little bit.
Little ills will sure betide you,
Fortune may not sit beside you,
Men may mock and fame deride you,
But you’ll mind them not a whit
If you laugh a little bit.
By Edmund Vance Cooke
*beldam: archaic word meaning witch.
Edmund Vance Cooke was born on 5 June 1866 in Port Denver, Ontario, Canada. He became a poet. He was married to Lilith Castleberry in 1898, and together the couple had five children. Edmund Vance Cooke passed on at 66 years of age on 18 December 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.
Continue scrolling down this website page to read the next article, or click or tap on these words to read “Humor And Inspiration And Learning About Laughter And Laughing” Gathered By David Hugh Beaumont.
Here’s a motto, just your fit -
Laugh a little bit.
When you think you’ve trouble hit,
Laugh a little bit.
Look misfortune in the face.
Brave the beldam*’s rude grimace;
Ten to one ’twill yield its place,
If you have the wit and grit
Just to laugh a little bit.
Keep your face with sunshine lit,
Laugh a little bit.
All the shadows off will flit,
If you have the grit and wit
Just to laugh a little bit.
Cherish this as sacred writ -
Laugh a little bit.
Keep it with you, sample it,
Laugh a little bit.
Little ills will sure betide you,
Fortune may not sit beside you,
Men may mock and fame deride you,
But you’ll mind them not a whit
If you laugh a little bit.
By Edmund Vance Cooke
*beldam: archaic word meaning witch.
Edmund Vance Cooke was born on 5 June 1866 in Port Denver, Ontario, Canada. He became a poet. He was married to Lilith Castleberry in 1898, and together the couple had five children. Edmund Vance Cooke passed on at 66 years of age on 18 December 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.
Continue scrolling down this website page to read the next article, or click or tap on these words to read “Humor And Inspiration And Learning About Laughter And Laughing” Gathered By David Hugh Beaumont.
Yagottawanna
In the great Northwest where I grew up, I met a mountain man and he knew how to get many things done with very little resources. He had almost nothing to work with, but accomplished great things.
Whether the task was to build a fire underwater or stop a waterfall from falling, it seemed he could take care of it. I was so amazed to see the things he could do, I finally asked him how he did it.
He told me that a long time ago, he had found a magical solution to nearly all challenges that came along. He said it was all contained in a single, ancient word that had mystic powers. When you understand the meaning of the word, it unleashes immense strength and abilities; it makes your mind more clear; it makes your imagination run wild with ideas.
Well, of course, I could hardly contain myself and I just had to know what this powerful magic was. I pleaded with him to tell me and he finally agreed.
He said the word is ‘yagottawanna.’
In order to accomplish anything, whether it is small or big, easy or difficult, trivial or of utmost importance, in order to be successful, you have to want to do it. To earn good grades, yagottawanna earn them. To become an Eagle Scout, yagottawanna be one. The main reason people do not succeed at something is because they do not really want it bad enough. By really wanting something, you come up with ideas, make plans, and then do it.
Remember, to do something, yagottawanna do it.
By Author Unknown
In the great Northwest where I grew up, I met a mountain man and he knew how to get many things done with very little resources. He had almost nothing to work with, but accomplished great things.
Whether the task was to build a fire underwater or stop a waterfall from falling, it seemed he could take care of it. I was so amazed to see the things he could do, I finally asked him how he did it.
He told me that a long time ago, he had found a magical solution to nearly all challenges that came along. He said it was all contained in a single, ancient word that had mystic powers. When you understand the meaning of the word, it unleashes immense strength and abilities; it makes your mind more clear; it makes your imagination run wild with ideas.
Well, of course, I could hardly contain myself and I just had to know what this powerful magic was. I pleaded with him to tell me and he finally agreed.
He said the word is ‘yagottawanna.’
In order to accomplish anything, whether it is small or big, easy or difficult, trivial or of utmost importance, in order to be successful, you have to want to do it. To earn good grades, yagottawanna earn them. To become an Eagle Scout, yagottawanna be one. The main reason people do not succeed at something is because they do not really want it bad enough. By really wanting something, you come up with ideas, make plans, and then do it.
Remember, to do something, yagottawanna do it.
By Author Unknown
The Be Attitudes
Be understanding to your perceived enemies.
Be loyal to your friends.
Be strong enough to face the world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone
Be generous to those who need your help.
Be frugal with that you need yourself.
Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.
Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.
Be willing to share your joys.
Be willing to share the sorrows of others.
Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.
Be first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
Be last to criticize a colleague who fails.
Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble.
Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going in the wrong way.
Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you; they may change.
Above all, be yourself.
By Author Unknown
Continue scrolling down this website page to read the next article, or click or tap on these words to read “Humor And Inspiration And Learning About Attitudes And Expectations” Gathered By David Hugh Beaumont.
Be understanding to your perceived enemies.
Be loyal to your friends.
Be strong enough to face the world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone
Be generous to those who need your help.
Be frugal with that you need yourself.
Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.
Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.
Be willing to share your joys.
Be willing to share the sorrows of others.
Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.
Be first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
Be last to criticize a colleague who fails.
Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble.
Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going in the wrong way.
Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you; they may change.
Above all, be yourself.
By Author Unknown
Continue scrolling down this website page to read the next article, or click or tap on these words to read “Humor And Inspiration And Learning About Attitudes And Expectations” Gathered By David Hugh Beaumont.
Winner’s Blueprint For Achievement
Believe while others are doubting.
Plan while others are playing.
Study while others are sleeping.
Decide while others are delaying.
Prepare while others are daydreaming.
Begin while others are procrastinating.
Work while others are wishing.
Save while others are wasting.
Listen while others are talking.
Smile while others are frowning.
Commend while others are criticizing.
Persist while others are quitting.
By William A. Ward
William Arthur Ward was born on 17 December 1921 in Louisiana, United States of America. He became a Private in the United States Army in 1942 and left the military four years later as a Captain. He then attended McMurry University before eventually receiving a Master’s Degree from Oklahoma State University. William Arthur Ward was the writer of the column “Pertinent Proverbs” in the Fort Worth “Star-Telegram” newspaper, author of the book “Fountains of Faith” (1970), and the writer of more than 100 articles and poems that were published in magazines including “Reader’s Digest,” “The Christian Home,” and “Sunshine.” He was an editor, a teacher, a public speaker, a college administrator, a pastor, and served on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations. He is perhaps best remembered as one of America’s most quoted writers of inspirational maxims. William Arthur Ward passed on at 72 years of age on 30 March 1994.
Continue scrolling down this website page to read the next article, or click or tap on these words to read “Fun and Learning about How to Be Successful” gathered by David Hugh Beaumont.
Believe while others are doubting.
Plan while others are playing.
Study while others are sleeping.
Decide while others are delaying.
Prepare while others are daydreaming.
Begin while others are procrastinating.
Work while others are wishing.
Save while others are wasting.
Listen while others are talking.
Smile while others are frowning.
Commend while others are criticizing.
Persist while others are quitting.
By William A. Ward
William Arthur Ward was born on 17 December 1921 in Louisiana, United States of America. He became a Private in the United States Army in 1942 and left the military four years later as a Captain. He then attended McMurry University before eventually receiving a Master’s Degree from Oklahoma State University. William Arthur Ward was the writer of the column “Pertinent Proverbs” in the Fort Worth “Star-Telegram” newspaper, author of the book “Fountains of Faith” (1970), and the writer of more than 100 articles and poems that were published in magazines including “Reader’s Digest,” “The Christian Home,” and “Sunshine.” He was an editor, a teacher, a public speaker, a college administrator, a pastor, and served on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations. He is perhaps best remembered as one of America’s most quoted writers of inspirational maxims. William Arthur Ward passed on at 72 years of age on 30 March 1994.
Continue scrolling down this website page to read the next article, or click or tap on these words to read “Fun and Learning about How to Be Successful” gathered by David Hugh Beaumont.
Top Ten Promises To Make To Yourself
I promise each day . . .
To be cheerful, positive and optimistic.
To focus on improving myself so that I have no time to criticize others.
To see all problems as opportunities waiting to be grasped.
To talk on subjects interesting to others.
To make everyone I meet feel important.
To be as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about mine.
To learn from the mistakes of the past to ensure a successful future.
To think well of myself and proclaim this by deeds - not words.
To keep calm in the face of difficulties.
To be a shining example of a grateful, happy, successful-but-humble person.
By Harry D. Pound
Continue scrolling down this website page to read the rest of the article, or click or tap on these words to read “Humor And Inspiration And Learning About Attitudes And Expectations” Gathered By David Hugh Beaumont.
I promise each day . . .
To be cheerful, positive and optimistic.
To focus on improving myself so that I have no time to criticize others.
To see all problems as opportunities waiting to be grasped.
To talk on subjects interesting to others.
To make everyone I meet feel important.
To be as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about mine.
To learn from the mistakes of the past to ensure a successful future.
To think well of myself and proclaim this by deeds - not words.
To keep calm in the face of difficulties.
To be a shining example of a grateful, happy, successful-but-humble person.
By Harry D. Pound
Continue scrolling down this website page to read the rest of the article, or click or tap on these words to read “Humor And Inspiration And Learning About Attitudes And Expectations” Gathered By David Hugh Beaumont.
Winning
It takes a little courage,
And a little self-control.
And some grim determination,
If you want to reach a goal.
It takes a deal of striving,
And a firm and stern-set chin.
No matter what the battle,
If you’re really out to win.
There’s no easy path to glory,
There’s no rosy road to fame.
Life, however we may view it,
Is no simple parlor game;
But its prizes call for fighting,
For endurance and for grit;
For a rugged disposition
And a ‘don’t-know-when-to-quit.’
You must take a blow or give one,
You must risk and you must lose,
And expect that in the struggle
You will suffer from a bruise.
But you mustn’t wince or falter,
If a fight you once begin,
Be a man and face the battle -
That’s the only way to win.
By Author Unknown
It takes a little courage,
And a little self-control.
And some grim determination,
If you want to reach a goal.
It takes a deal of striving,
And a firm and stern-set chin.
No matter what the battle,
If you’re really out to win.
There’s no easy path to glory,
There’s no rosy road to fame.
Life, however we may view it,
Is no simple parlor game;
But its prizes call for fighting,
For endurance and for grit;
For a rugged disposition
And a ‘don’t-know-when-to-quit.’
You must take a blow or give one,
You must risk and you must lose,
And expect that in the struggle
You will suffer from a bruise.
But you mustn’t wince or falter,
If a fight you once begin,
Be a man and face the battle -
That’s the only way to win.
By Author Unknown
Words of Hugh Blair
Look around you, and you will behold the universe full of active powers. Action is, so to speak, the genius of nature. By motion and exertion, the system of being is preserved in vigor. By its different parts always acting in subordination one to another, the perfection of the whole is carried on. The heavenly bodies perpetually revolve. Day and night incessantly repeat their appointed course. Continual operations are going on in the earth and in the waters. Nothing stands still. All is alive and stirring throughout the universe. In the midst of this animated and busy scene, is man alone to remain idle in his place? Belongs it to him to be the sole inactive and slothful being in the creation, when in so many various ways he might improve his own nature; might advance the glory of the God who made him; and contribute his part in the general good?
-Hugh Blair: as quoted in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert: “Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers” (1895), page 4
Hugh Blair was born on 7 April 1718 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He became a Christian minister, writer, and rhetorician. He is known for “Sermons” (1777 - 1801), a five-volume endorsement of practical Christian morality, and “Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres,” a prescriptive guide on composition. Hugh Blair passed on at 82 years of age on 27 December 1800.
Look around you, and you will behold the universe full of active powers. Action is, so to speak, the genius of nature. By motion and exertion, the system of being is preserved in vigor. By its different parts always acting in subordination one to another, the perfection of the whole is carried on. The heavenly bodies perpetually revolve. Day and night incessantly repeat their appointed course. Continual operations are going on in the earth and in the waters. Nothing stands still. All is alive and stirring throughout the universe. In the midst of this animated and busy scene, is man alone to remain idle in his place? Belongs it to him to be the sole inactive and slothful being in the creation, when in so many various ways he might improve his own nature; might advance the glory of the God who made him; and contribute his part in the general good?
-Hugh Blair: as quoted in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert: “Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers” (1895), page 4
Hugh Blair was born on 7 April 1718 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He became a Christian minister, writer, and rhetorician. He is known for “Sermons” (1777 - 1801), a five-volume endorsement of practical Christian morality, and “Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres,” a prescriptive guide on composition. Hugh Blair passed on at 82 years of age on 27 December 1800.
