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Philosophies That Keep You Positive!

I adopted this poem, when I was a young kid, to be my credo. I live it everyday and have used it in all my businesses since. I guess you could say, I grew into it meaning a lot more to me. I even use it as the lead in to the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame. They are called Bridge Builders and that is also the name of the World Massage Festival's commemorative magazine, "The Bridge Builders".

What do you use to keep you positive?

THE BRIDGE BUILDER

An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening, cold and gray,
To chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide --
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pit-fall be,
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

Will Allen Dromgoole

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Emma Torsey on January 2, 2010 at 5:31pm

That is just like you dear Mike!!!

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on January 2, 2010 at 5:50pm

Well thank you, Emma! I wish it were the world!

Emma Torsey said:

That is just like you dear Mike!!!

Permalink Reply by Emma Torsey on January 2, 2010 at 6:06pm

A zen story tells of two monks who were walking the long distance from one monastery to another and who,on reaching a crossroads,found a pretty young woman in distress.There had been a torrential rain storm and the ground was very muddy.The woman was crying because she had to cross the junction,but to do so would mean that the swampy rivers of mud would ruin the beautiful silk kimono she was wearing.One of the monks picked her up in his arms and carried her across the road,gently putting her down safely on the other side.The woman now very happy,thanked him profusely.

The two monks carried on their journey in silence,reached their monastery,bathed,robed and ate their supper before the second monk burst into angry accusations "I'm surprised and horrified at you!"he exploded "you know that in our brotherhood you are not allowed to talk to a woman,let alone physically take her into your arms! what are you thinking of?"

The first monk answered with a smile,"My dear brother!,I put her down immediately on the other side of the road.What rage has caused you to have been carrying her all the way here?"

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on January 2, 2010 at 6:35pm

Most of the mountains we face, we create ourselves! Thanks, Emma!

Emma Torsey said:

A zen story tells of two monks who were walking the long distance from one monastery to another and who,on reaching a crossroads,found a pretty young woman in distress.There had been a torrential rain storm and the ground was very muddy.The woman was crying because she had to cross the junction,but to do so would mean that the swampy rivers of mud would ruin the beautiful silk kimono she was wearing.One of the monks picked her up in his arms and carried her across the road,gently putting her down safely on the other side.The woman now very happy,thanked him profusely.

The two monks carried on their journey in silence,reached their monastery,bathed,robed and ate their supper before the second monk burst into angry accusations "I'm surprised and horrified at you!"he exploded "you know that in our brotherhood you are not allowed to talk to a woman,let alone physically take her into your arms! what are you thinking of?"

The first monk answered with a smile,"My dear brother!,I put her down immediately on the other side of the road.What rage has caused you to have been carrying her all the way here?"

Permalink Reply by lee kalpin on January 3, 2010 at 12:15pm

I am not as poetic or philosophical as you Mike, although I love the poem and what it expresses.
My positive attitude comes from the simple realities of my life. I feel I am blessed to live in a land that has been at peace throughout my lifetime. I have everything material that I could need - a safe and comfortable home, plenty of food, good health, enough money for my necessities and more. ,I have family and friends and a profession that enables me to help people while making a very comfortable livelihood. Of course I have a positive attitude!!!

Certanly I have had hard times during my life. It is the old platitude of seeing the glass as half full rather than half emplty, and focusing on the positive.
In my teaching career I have certainly tried to build a bridge for those who come after me. I had never heard your poem, but I have lived that philosophy to the best of my ability. My goal was to graduate people who would be excellent therapists and could bring excellent care to their clients. I always aspired to graduate therapists who were better and smarter than me!!! And they are. I am pleased and proud of their accomplishments.
. ..

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on January 3, 2010 at 3:43pm

Howdy Lee,

You are indeed fortuanate. Yes, your country has stayed out of the frays much more than my own. It seems those who prosper are able to convince the powers to be it is always needed. Diplomacy is hiding in the closets in Congress. Maybe something will stop the foolishness in our statesmen(?).

I am glad you see the glass half full. Pass it on, so many need it! Stay warm up there. Happy New Year!

lee kalpin said:

I am not as poetic or philosophical as you Mike, although I love the poem and what it expresses.
My positive attitude comes from the simple realities of my life. I feel I am blessed to live in a land that has been at peace throughout my lifetime. I have everything material that I could need - a safe and comfortable home, plenty of food, good health, enough money for my necessities and more. ,I have family and friends and a profession that enables me to help people while making a very comfortable livelihood. Of course I have a positive attitude!!!

Certanly I have had hard times during my life. It is the old platitude of seeing the glass as half full rather than half emplty, and focusing on the positive.
In my teaching career I have certainly tried to build a bridge for those who come after me. I had never heard your poem, but I have lived that philosophy to the best of my ability. My goal was to graduate people who would be excellent therapists and could bring excellent care to their clients. I always aspired to graduate therapists who were better and smarter than me!!! And they are. I am pleased and proud of their accomplishments.
. ..

Permalink Reply by lee kalpin on January 3, 2010 at 3:49pm

When I say "we have had peace" I mean that we have not had war on our own territory. Certainly we have had troops in many conflicts including WW1, WW2, and presently in Afganistan. But we have had the good fortune not to have the fear of having armed violence in our own country.

As for keeping warm --I just came in from shovelling a lot of snow in minus 15 Celcuis temps - that's about zero F!
That one thing we don't have in Canada - we need ONE WARM PROVINCE!!!

Mike Hinkle said:

Howdy Lee,

You are indeed fortuanate. Yes, your country has stayed out of the frays much more than my own. It seems those who prosper are able to convince the powers to be it is always needed. Diplomacy is hiding in the closets in Congress. Maybe something will stop the foolishness in our statesmen(?).

I am glad you see the glass half full. Pass it on, so many need it! Stay warm up there. Happy New Year!

lee kalpin said:
I am not as poetic or philosophical as you Mike, although I love the poem and what it expresses.
My positive attitude comes from the simple realities of my life. I feel I am blessed to live in a land that has been at peace throughout my lifetime. I have everything material that I could need - a safe and comfortable home, plenty of food, good health, enough money for my necessities and more. ,I have family and friends and a profession that enables me to help people while making a very comfortable livelihood. Of course I have a positive attitude!!!

Certanly I have had hard times during my life. It is the old platitude of seeing the glass as half full rather than half emplty, and focusing on the positive.
In my teaching career I have certainly tried to build a bridge for those who come after me. I had never heard your poem, but I have lived that philosophy to the best of my ability. My goal was to graduate people who would be excellent therapists and could bring excellent care to their clients. I always aspired to graduate therapists who were better and smarter than me!!! And they are. I am pleased and proud of their accomplishments.
. ..

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on January 3, 2010 at 4:32pm

Sorry, you can't have everything! lol

lee kalpin said:

When I say "we have had peace" I mean that we have not had war on our own territory. Certainly we have had troops in many conflicts including WW1, WW2, and presently in Afganistan. But we have had the good fortune not to have the fear of having armed violence in our own country.

As for keeping warm --I just came in from shovelling a lot of snow in minus 15 Celcuis temps - that's about zero F!
That one thing we don't have in Canada - we need ONE WARM PROVINCE!!!

Mike Hinkle said:
Howdy Lee,

You are indeed fortuanate. Yes, your country has stayed out of the frays much more than my own. It seems those who prosper are able to convince the powers to be it is always needed. Diplomacy is hiding in the closets in Congress. Maybe something will stop the foolishness in our statesmen(?).

I am glad you see the glass half full. Pass it on, so many need it! Stay warm up there. Happy New Year!

lee kalpin said:
I am not as poetic or philosophical as you Mike, although I love the poem and what it expresses.
My positive attitude comes from the simple realities of my life. I feel I am blessed to live in a land that has been at peace throughout my lifetime. I have everything material that I could need - a safe and comfortable home, plenty of food, good health, enough money for my necessities and more. ,I have family and friends and a profession that enables me to help people while making a very comfortable livelihood. Of course I have a positive attitude!!!

Certanly I have had hard times during my life. It is the old platitude of seeing the glass as half full rather than half emplty, and focusing on the positive.
In my teaching career I have certainly tried to build a bridge for those who come after me. I had never heard your poem, but I have lived that philosophy to the best of my ability. My goal was to graduate people who would be excellent therapists and could bring excellent care to their clients. I always aspired to graduate therapists who were better and smarter than me!!! And they are. I am pleased and proud of their accomplishments.
. ..

Permalink Reply by Darcy Neibaur on January 3, 2010 at 9:28pm

God, Grant me the Serenity, to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference. People, Places, Things, and Situations I cannot change. Me and my attitude, I can change.

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on January 3, 2010 at 9:32pm

There ya go!

Darcy Neibaur said:

God, Grant me the Serenity, to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference. People, Places, Things, and Situations I cannot change. Me and my attitude, I can change.

Permalink Reply by lee kalpin on January 3, 2010 at 10:02pm

I think the Serenity prayer represents a wonderful philosophy, one that I consciously try to follow in my daily life.

Darcy Neibaur said:

God, Grant me the Serenity, to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference. People, Places, Things, and Situations I cannot change. Me and my attitude, I can change.

Permalink Reply by lee kalpin on January 3, 2010 at 11:05pm

Oh, c'mon Mike. You could give us a little part of some warm state - surely you can't be using all of them!

Mike Hinkle said:

Sorry, you can't have everything! lol

lee kalpin said:
When I say "we have had peace" I mean that we have not had war on our own territory. Certainly we have had troops in many conflicts including WW1, WW2, and presently in Afganistan. But we have had the good fortune not to have the fear of having armed violence in our own country.

As for keeping warm --I just came in from shovelling a lot of snow in minus 15 Celcuis temps - that's about zero F!
That one thing we don't have in Canada - we need ONE WARM PROVINCE!!!

Mike Hinkle said:
Howdy Lee,

You are indeed fortuanate. Yes, your country has stayed out of the frays much more than my own. It seems those who prosper are able to convince the powers to be it is always needed. Diplomacy is hiding in the closets in Congress. Maybe something will stop the foolishness in our statesmen(?).

I am glad you see the glass half full. Pass it on, so many need it! Stay warm up there. Happy New Year!

lee kalpin said:
I am not as poetic or philosophical as you Mike, although I love the poem and what it expresses.
My positive attitude comes from the simple realities of my life. I feel I am blessed to live in a land that has been at peace throughout my lifetime. I have everything material that I could need - a safe and comfortable home, plenty of food, good health, enough money for my necessities and more. ,I have family and friends and a profession that enables me to help people while making a very comfortable livelihood. Of course I have a positive attitude!!!

Certanly I have had hard times during my life. It is the old platitude of seeing the glass as half full rather than half emplty, and focusing on the positive.
In my teaching career I have certainly tried to build a bridge for those who come after me. I had never heard your poem, but I have lived that philosophy to the best of my ability. My goal was to graduate people who would be excellent therapists and could bring excellent care to their clients. I always aspired to graduate therapists who were better and smarter than me!!! And they are. I am pleased and proud of their accomplishments.
. ..