A Visit With Grandfather

July 20, 2008. Teddy Roosevelt once said: "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

I'd like to pass along a story, which has been published in various publications:

"At age 94, Grandfather had just moved to Ocala, Florida the year before, a short distance away from my home. He was tall for a man born at the beginning of the 20th Century. Although he slumped slightly with age his vigor showed as I started out with him for his brisk daily walk in the cool morning air. Neighbors passed by in cars, and Grandfather waved to each one.

I had several role models as I grew up. Perhaps chief among them was Grandfather. Born in Scotland, he became a Rhodes Scholar and a Professor of Medicine. He was a consummate researcher, exploring the mysteries of blood composition, and he wrote many medical journal articles and a book. His passion, especially later in life, was the collection of sea shells. He amassed a personal collection of over 30,000 shells from all over the world which was carefully stored, categorized, and indexed (and which was later donated to a college).

I was feeling a bit down that day, and I decided to share with Grandfather the source of my concerns. I told him “I’ve come to believe I may have chosen the wrong profession. As an attorney I try hard to serve my clients well. But perhaps I should have followed into your footsteps to become a doctor. Grandfather, what I do seems to pale in significance to what a family doctor does, not to mention your accomplishments as a university professor and researcher.”

Grandfather continued his brisk walk, and I found myself striving to keep up at times. He replied, “It’s not what you do in life as your chosen profession or occupation that, in itself, matters. It’s whether you impact other lives in a positive way. Whether you are a doctor, lawyer, policeman, trash collector, schoolteacher, or sales clerk, does not matter.” I thought for a moment, but was perplexed by what he had said. Grandfather proceeded on with his advice. “Take one of my neighbors, the single mother of two children, who works as a cashier during the day and cares for her children. At work she smiles at those who go through her register and greets them warmly. When she is with her children she shows them patience, love, and understanding. She instructs and guides her children to become good people and good citizens. These are very important matters, and no doubt this woman is having a profound impact upon her children’s lives. She also positively impacts the lives of others. Each Sunday she volunteers to help with the service at her church, and she also helps out with a Girl Scout troop. She participates in the PTA at her children’s school. She is leading her life in such a way as to make a positive impact on the lives of others.”

Grandfather paused in his lesson, but his pace actually quickened. He seem invigorated by the opportunity to share his advice with me as he continued. “Everyone has the opportunity to contribute in his or her own way. The most important thing for you to determine is how you, personally, will impact the lives of others, and what can you do to increase the magnitude of that impact.”

Grandfather passed away during the summer of the following year. But his words of wisdom continue with me, and have brought to me a renewed sense of purpose and enjoyment in life. I realize now that each of us, whatever our chosen occupation and whatever our situation in life, has the opportunity, each day, to significantly enhance the enjoyment of life for those around us in some way." (End of Story.)

T. Boone Pickens has inspired tens of thousands ... to act now, for a better America. America's economic security, and the American Dream, is threatened by our dependence on foreign oil and the massive trade deficits to which such dependence contributes. The time is now. We cannot afford to wait. Our children and grandchildren are depending upon us. Join Boone's Army. Get others to join. If uncertain what to do next, see the discussion "One Hundred Action Steps You Can Do Now," under the Forum "Get Started Now."

Ignore the critics, the nay-sayers, those who spout nothing but negativism. Do not permit them to deter you from contributing, in your own way, positively. If not to The Pickens Plan, then in some other worthwhile cause.

At the end of your life, what kind of life will you look back upon? Will you rest peacefully, knowing that you undertook actions, alone or together with others, to make this world a better place.

Thank you. Ron