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Article from the Houston
Chronicle...
On Nov. 18, 1995, Itzhak Perlman, the violinist, came
on stage to give a concert at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New
York City. If you have ever been to a Perlman concert, you know that
getting on stage is no small achievement for him.
He was stricken with polio as a child, and so he has braces on both legs
and walks with the aid of two crutches.
To see him walk across the stage one step at a time,
painfully and slowly, is an unforgettable sight. He walks painfully, yet
majestically, until he reaches his chair. Then he sits down, slowly,
puts his crutches on the floor, undoes the clasps on his legs, tucks one
foot back and extends the other foot forward. Then he bends down and
picks up the violin, puts it under his chin, nods to the conductor and
proceeds to play.
By now, the audience is used to this ritual. They sit
quietly while he makes his way across the stage to his chair. They
remain reverently silent while he undoes the clasps on his legs. They
wait until he is ready to play.
But this time, something went wrong. Just as he
finished the first few bars, one of the strings on his violin broke. You
could hear it snap - it went off like gunfire across the room. There was
no mistaking what that sound meant. There was no mistaking what he had
to do.
People who were there that night thought to
themselves: "We figured that he would have to get up, put on the
clasps again, pick up the crutches and limp his way off stage - to
either find another violin or else find another string for this
one."
But he didn't. Instead, he waited a moment, closed his
eyes and then signaled the conductor to begin again. The orchestra
began, and he played from where he had left off. And he played with such
passion and such power and such purity as they had never heard before.
Of course, anyone knows that it is impossible to play a symphonic work
with just three strings. I know that, and you know that, but that night
Itzhak Perlman refused to know that.
You could see him modulating, changing, recomposing
the piece in his head. At one point, it sounded like he was
de-tuning the strings to get new sounds from them that they had never
made before.
When he finished, there was an awesome silence in the
room. And then people rose and cheered. There was an extraordinary
outburst of applause from every corner of the auditorium. We were all on
our feet, screaming and cheering, doing everything we could to show how
much we appreciated what he had done.
He smiled, wiped the sweat from this brow, raised his
bow to quiet us, and then he said, not boastfully, but in a quiet,
pensive, reverent tone, "You know, sometimes it is the artist's
task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have
left." What a powerful line that is. It has stayed in my mind ever
since I heard it. And who knows? Perhaps that is the [way] of life - not
just for artists but for all of us.
So, perhaps our task in this shaky, fast-changing,
bewildering world in which we live is to make music, at first with all
that we have, and then, when that is no longer possible, to make music
with what we have left.
Jack Riemer, Houston Chronicle
TAKE
THE SHOT!
This
story came to us from Dan Bowen, Program Director of Star 94, among the
top FM stations in the US. Needless to say, he is a master of
inspiration.
When
I was about twelve, I vividly remember watching my father coach in a
large high school basketball program in Michigan. I'd stand on the
sidelines and try to assimilate the moves and techniques he and the
other coaches drilled every day.
This
particular season had been a milestone for the school. Its enroll-ment
growth had placed it in the state's top classification, and the team had
lost only two regular season games.
In
late February when the state's annual pilgrimage toward the state finals
began with "districts," our school drew feared, perennial
power Saginaw High School. The story takes on a bit of the
"Hoosiers" story line, except that both schools were much
closer in size. But Saginaw had been there many times--all the way to
East Lansing in the Class A Final Four. Our school was new to the level
of competition and the strata of talent. This particular year Saginaw
High enjoyed the talents of at least three all-stars expected to go on
to the major college ranks.
Dad
had one particular challenge with a tall forward who possessed one of
the best "pure" shots we had seen. Larry had all the potential
to play anywhere and was capable of tripling his per game point total.
But there was one glaring problem. Larry was afraid to shoot. More
accurately, he had a shooting phobia. Time after time in game
situations, he would have a great look, only to dish-off. The deeper
into the season, the more severe the problem, until just before the
encounter with storied Saginaw High, when his hesitation to shoot pushed
my father's frustration over the top. In the last regular game of the
season (which our team should have won easily), we struggled with a
lesser opponent, and Larry took only two shots in the entire first half.
As
I wedged my way into a corner in the locker room at half time, even a
sixth grader like myself knew there was hell-to-pay. The coaches took
turns recapturing various offensive and defensive committed sins by the
team. And then I watched my Dad do some of the most amazing coaching I
had ever seen.
He
asked Larry to sit down beside him, and I remember the short-but-
powerful talk as if it had happened yesterday. It went something like
this:
Damn
it Larry. In four days we play the best team in Michigan. All year
you've been passing up shots. All year. You took two shots in the first
half. You were open at least 6 times. We can't beat Saginaw if you only
shoot three or four times. You told me once before you are afraid to
shoot. What are you afraid of?
Head
down, Larry-who was articulate and confident in most areas of his
life-could only stare at the terrazzo floor.
OK,
Larry. Here's what I want you to do…and I don't care if you're scared
to shoot. I don't care if you miss every shot! I want you to take the
first five shots of the half. I'll tell the team in the huddle. You
understand? The first five! Look at me, son. You'll be scared to do a
lot of things in life, but just remember what I'm saying to you: you
miss 100% of the shots YOU DON'T TAKE. Do you understand? You're one of
the best shooters I've ever coached. Now go do it. The FIRST
FIVE…right?
Larry
looked up at my Dad and never said a word. He took the first 5 shots of
the second half and made four. He finished with 16 points. Five days
later, the bold Saginaw News headline read: Saginaw Trojans Upset! Our
team went all the way to the Quarterfinals. Larry went on a scoring
binge and then on to the Naval Academy.
You
really do miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
"Minding Your Own Business" - It's Never To
Late To Change Your Life
-Georgia Plumbing Insider, PMA Edition Page
15A - by: Don Taylor
Fifty-four years ago, I was just a little tyke embarking on the great
journey called life. Today, 19,734 days later, I know many things
I didn't know then.
For example, I know time accelerates as the years pass by. I
know that life is short. I know that every day is both a gift and
an opportunity. And I know that it is never to late to change your
life.
I like to think of every day as a clean sheet of paper. We may
write whatever we like on it. We can write a letter to a friend,
start a book or doodle on it just to pass the time. The page is
ours to use however we wish.
Life is like that. Today is a new day. It's ours to use
as we choose. But remember this: If we keep on doing what
we've always done, we'll keep on getting what we've always gotten.
If you want to take your life to a higher level here are some tips
you can use. Remember, it's never too late.
Going Up, Please Don't worry about doing great things. Instead,
stay focused on doing simple things in a great way. Do the routine
things well, and you'll soon find you can step up to the next level.
Try to be somebody you're not. Yes, I know this is contrary
advice to all the times you were told to "just be
yourself" However, I wasn't happy with who I was and what I
was doing. Since I wasn't immediately successful as a small
business owner, I had to try and become something I wasn't: a
success. I'm not a gifted speaker, I'm not a gifted speaker, I'm
trying to become one. See yourself as you wish to be and become
what you're not.
Keep moving. The rudder won't steer the ship unless the ship is
moving. Whether you're trying to advance your career, build your
business or acquire a new skill, you've got to keep working toward your
goal. Keep moving. Will Rogers said, "Even if you're on
the right track, you'll get run over if you don't keep moving."
There's no future in the past. Our family has some great
memories, but my future will not be changed by dwelling on the past --
good or bad. Cast off the anchors of failure, regret, and mistakes
and sail out into fresh, clear waters.
Develop a selective memory. Remember the kind actions of
others. Remember who you are and what you stand for. Forget
all wrongs and injustices. Forget all wrongs and injustices.
Forget all unkind words. Forget and forgive.
You'll never get more out than your put in. No, this one has
nothing to do with your social security account. I'm talking about
your success in life. Whatever you do, give it your all.
Expect to reap as you sow. When you put your best effort into your
job you call expect to get great rewards. You can't do everything,
but whatever you choose to do, do it with all your heart.
Take the lead. When you follow someone else you're always
behind. Step out in front. Take charge. You can set
the pace. The world is still seeking great leaders. If
you're ever going to be a leader you have to take the lead.
There are no one-time decisions. You cannot lose weight by
deciding one time to go on a diet. Every day you must decide to
eat right and exercise effectively. It is the same in all areas of
your life. Every day you must decide to be more successful.
Each day your decisions will get easier as you near your goals.
Keep deciding to do the right things.
Don Taylor is the co-author of Up Against the Wal-Marts. You
may write to him in care of: Minding your own business, PO Box 67,
Amarillo, TX 79105.
MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS
(We received this from a listener)
1 ~ Most Important Lesson
During my second month of nursing
school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a
conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until
I read the last one:
"What is the first name of the
woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of
joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall,
dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in
my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended,
one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz
grade.
"Absolutely," said the
professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All
are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you
do is smile and say 'hello'." " I've never forgotten that
lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
2 ~ Second Important Lesson
One night, at 11:30 PM, an older
African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama
highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down
and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided
to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help
her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s.
The man took her to safety, helped her
get assistance and put her into a taxi. She seemed to be in a big
hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days
went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant
console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was
attached. It read, "Thank you so much for assisting
me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my
clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of
you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just
before he passed away. God bless you
for helping me and unselfishly serving others."
It was signed by Mrs. Nat King Cole.
3 ~ Third Important Lesson ~ Always
remember those who serve you....
In the days when an ice cream sundae
cost much less, a 10 year old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat
at a table. A
waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an
ice cream sundae?" he asked.
"Fifty cents," replied the
waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied
the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice
cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table
and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents,"
she brusquely replied." The little boy again counted his coins.
"I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.
The waitress
brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The
boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the
waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table.
There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five
pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have
enough
left to leave her a tip.
4 ~ Fourth Important Lesson ~ The
Obstacle in Our Path
In ancient times, a King had a boulder
placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone
would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants
and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed
the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about
getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along
carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the
peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side
of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.
After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse
lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many
gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for
the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant
learned what many of us never understand. Every obstacle presents an
opportunity to improve our condition.
5 ~ Fifth Important Lesson~ Giving When
it Counts
Many years ago, when I worked as a
volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz
who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only
chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year
old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had
developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.
The doctor
explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him
hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying,
"Yes, I'll do it if it will save her.."
As the transfusion
progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we
all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face
grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked
with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor. He thought
he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to
save her. You see understanding and attitude, after all, is
everything.
THE SHARKS SIDE
(We received this from a listener)
The Shark's Side
I'm the shark who tussled with T --
That roofer guy who picked a fight with me --
And after hearing his description of the bout
I had to wonder why my version was left out.
Well, it happened on a hot summer day,
I was basking in the Florida bay,
Following the tide to the hot shark turf
Where young tan humans like to ride the surf
Off the Florida coast, where the waves are fly
And sharks like me like to watch you glide by
We don't wanna bite you or scare you away
We just like to spy you as you surf and play.
I was swimming carefree in my territory,
A young rad shark in all of his glory,
I thought I had nothing to worry about,
forgetting that my dorsal fin sticks out.
Well I'm peaceful like, just swimming
by,
when out of nowhere I get smacked in the eye!
I'm reeling and rockin' and feeling kind'a bad,
And when I glance up I see I've made someone mad!!! .
Well, at this point, I'm looking to get free,
So I nip him in the foot to give me time to flee,
And then he grabs for my tail, but before I'm toast,
I tuck it in and head away from the coast.
So keep this in mind when you see a shark,
We, too, may just be out for a lark;
Even for sharks, life is transitory
And there are two sides to every story.
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