Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can somehow become great.
Isn't it strange
That princes and kings
And clowns that dance
In sawdust rings,
And common folk
Like you and me
Are builders of community?
Each is given
A box of tools,
A bag of tricks,
A book of rules,
And each must make
Ere life is flown,
A stumbling block or a
Stepping stone
-Dr. Robert D.Ramsey on The Deadly Art of Character Assassination-
what asniloveschocolate thinks:
I received the following mail together with the poem from my dearest lady boss. I really like them, so I think it would be great if I can share this piece of mind with all of you.
Gosh! It's so true!
"I first heard this little poem recited by a friend at a celebration in her office . We didn't know who wrote it . We only know we like it . And we know it speaks to the choices we all have to make with our lives.
Life is a rough and tumble , ricochet ride. What makes it bearable or unbearable are the people surrounding us . Of course as we spend three quarter of our lives with people in the office , the workplace is our main community in life .
As it turns out , we help shape each of our communities. We either make them stronger , better and more viable; or we diminish them and make them more dysfunctional through our negativity and obstructive behaviour. regardless of our status or title in the communities , our lives and legacies become either stumbling blocks or stepping stones to greater communities for everyone.
Whether we are constructive , obstructive or destructive is our call really . Its not in our genes. Its not peer pressure. Its not fate . Its not even our parents' fault . Its all ours .For most of us , our life is pretty much a matter of choice. The truth is that we are largely creatures of our own making . And we choose anew each day to be community builders or community wreckers.
Many people opt to be stumbling blocks. After all , its easy and fun . its free . Its fun in a perverse sort of way. And it can create a cockeyed sense of power . I ts a way to get attention without exerting much real effort , taking any risks or accepting any responsiblities.We all know that type. Every community has its share. Stumbling blocks are the nay sayers and crepe hangers in every community. They are detractors , distracters and subtracters . They are finger pointers , faultfinders and excuse makers. They see both how much they can get by with through how little they can be doing . Stumbling blocks complain about status quo , but given the job , they resist change. They undermine other people's plans and manipulate those around them . They critisize but shirk any responsibility themselves . They traffic in innuendo , rumour and backbitting. They constantly think they are the best while belittling others .
Fortunately , every group also has those who promote the common good and strengthen the overall community . They may be unseen and unsung: but they are there . These people are relentless , positive , optimistic, upbeat , hopeful , supportive , encouraging and empowering . They practice decency and civility and value diversity . They are willing to sacrifice a little and delay personal gratification to do the next right thing for all concerned. They do their share and will compromise their self interest but not their principles to make gains. They not only make the best leaders , they make the best followers . You know who these individuals are . And you either admire or resent them .
Some people in every community help move things forward , support the weight of others , define a preferred pathway and point the way in the right direction . We call them stepping stones .Like it or not , we are all either one of the stumbling blocks or a stepping stone .
Even if we don't know which one we are , almost everyone else does , Our role is defined by how we choose to live our lives .
We all have a box of tools with which to build our legacy , including our intellegence , personality , talents , skills , creativity , passion , training and life experiences .Likewise , we all have a bag of tricks to choose from .
For some , the repertoire of tricks included lies , half truths , dirty politics , character assissination , smoke screens and sabotage techniques. Others rely on more respectable tricks , such as goal setting , hard work , team playing , problem solving and open communication .At the end of the day , the rules , tools and tricks we choose to use determine our social valence; positive or negative . You can be a builder. or a wrecker . it is truly a choice .
And the good news is that if you make a wrong choice , God allows U-Turns .Yet many of us seek for attention by slinging mud at our opponents. Few, it seems, shy away from touting their own virtues while launching verbal attacks with wild accusations, rumors and innuendo against their rivals—all in hopes of attaining office by virtually any means necessary.
And, the mindset goes, if that calls for tarnishing the reputation of others—tearing down their hopes and dreams, and even ripping apart marriages and families—then so be it. Everyone and everything is considered fair game.
Character assassination is alive and well, and will only grow worse."
I've encountered many stumbling blocks in my life, who tried/are still trying to demotivate me from pursuing my dreams, yet I am thankful as the stepping stones are always there for me to counter all the negative elements.Stumbling Blocks, go away!
-two heroes - fixing the tyres -
weddiNg @aKimeY's CriB, peRak 
