The
ability to discipline ourselves to delay gratification in the short term
in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term, is the indispensable
prerequisite for success. Here's an inspiring letter of a
grandparent inspired the writing of an unknown author.
"To my beautiful grandchildren:
Our world is changing so fast and there are many things I wish for you...
I'd really like for you to know about hand-me-down clothes and homemade ice
cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.
I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by
being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother or sister.
And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room,
but when they want to crawl under the covers with you because they're
scared, I hope you let them.When you want to see a movie and your little brother or sister wants to tag
along, I hope you'll let them.
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live
in a town where you can do it safely.
On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your
driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone
as uncool as your mom.
If you want a slingshot, I hope your dad teaches you how to make one instead
of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract
in your head.
I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush, and
when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes
like.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and
stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it.
And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not
your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your grandparents and go
fishing with your uncle.
These are just some of the things that I wish for you - tough times and
disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to
appreciate life."
The
really important kind of freedom involves attention, awareness,
discipline, effort, and being able truly to care about people
we love and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in countless petty little
ways, every day.
By Tim Pedrosa
Love
without discipline is false; discipline without love is force.
~Prosperity
do best discover vice; but adversity do best discover virtue. -Francis Bacon
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Tim
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