Discipline determines degree of success in life

I remember the story of the Hare and the Turtle as a child and feel that it was one of the most critical lessons ever shown about succeeding in life. It is the great equalizer of our species and if practised-- will shorten the path to whatever goal one strives for.

Our genes and early childhood care are what prepares us to enter the world around us. As a child we have zero control over these first two factors. Genes control our size, agility, intelligence, and longevity. Childhood rearing provides confidence and self worth. But--if we learn the skill of applied discipline--the results of our lifes efforts rapidly overcome the first two ingredients to success.

Discipline allows one with inferrior talent to apply the talent in a focused direction. It does not show up in sprint type races in life, but purculates over the long hall leaving those undisciplined far in the rear.

When entering seminary, i was presented with a list of courses and practices that must be mastered if I was to complete the training. I had the desire and so did my fellow seminarians. The difference in the eventual outcome was measured not by natural ability--but by con sistantly integrating the coursework and training . Once fused together-the the ingredients were in place to have a satisfactory outcome.

Some guys were naturals at lanquage and oration. Some were great listeners and had empathetic traits needed for pastoral couseling. Some had a flair for memorizing scripture and could recite long passages in Latin or Greek. Some were natural born leaders who could organize a group and lead it through natural charisma. We all had varying degrees of intelligence and had some educational success in our background.

Those that completed the coursework and training with the least bit of problems were those who practised discipline not talked about it. The training was rigorous and designed to weed out those who could not pass the muster. It was not those who came into the training with the most "GOD" given assets who succeeded--it was those who could apply themselves rigorously to the task at hand. those who could put together a game plan and work the plan diligently from start to finish. And that took discipline.

The ability to discipline ones life will determine the amount of success one achieves. The Turtle was able to set a goal, gather together his resources and apply discipline in the race. The Hare had all the natural skills and lost out because of a lack of discipline. if you remember the story, the Hare dashed out to a commanding lead, but lost focus along the way. the Turtle bagan slow because of his natural lack of skills, but kept his nose to the grinding stone and eventually won out to the shock and dismay of the cocky Hare.

Many would question why a Turtle in life would ever enter a race with a hare to begin with. Why wouldn't he quit once he fell behind. Well--the discipline gave the Turtle confidence and self assurance. he knew that his skills would be magnified by his discipline and that all he needed to do was apply those skills in a focused direction towards the goal at hand--and he would succeed.

"GOD" gave us all an equal amount of discipline when he created us. It was the ingredient that leveled the playing field and when applied determined the winners and losers in life.

Yodi, you may not be the biggest dog on the block, but through discipline you can be the greatest. Now go get that ball Yodi.

Hillary or Condi?

Pundits are already sizing up these two influencial women as being their respective party contenders for the 2008 elections.

I still am finding pizza bread crumbs under my chair from the November election night I spent glued to the TV as the returns came in for our current President. Are we already tired of him? If he was just going to be a flash in the pan--I would have ordered up the simple cheese pizza that night instead of the deluxe one which was covered with all the goodies.

I want to throw the name of Alfred E. Newman into the circle. I would have voted for him in 1960 if I had been old enough. I felt then and now that he has all the qualities we need in our country for the nations highest office. He is witty, can tell a good joke, has a journalistic background, and has been the fixture of a major news publication for over 50 years.

Every b oy growing up in Olympia received all the news they needed from this worthy publication. We carried our current issue everywhere we went. It was required reading in the balcony section of St Michael church on Saturday night mass. Eddie and myself used to entertain the gathered boys with all the wisdom we had gained from this fine publication. Plus we sprinkled in some "Three Stooges" parodies as added measure.

So--I suggest that Mr Newman be nominated to run for the presidency in 2008. This fixture of "Mad Magazine will do as fine a job as Hillary or condi. Plus--he will get the vote of all his faithful readers who have followed his advice as we have aged together.

Yodi, ---did you see what that spy was up to in the last episode? Pick two. Niukk, niuck!

Guilt and Compromise

Since I no longer wear a beard, I get to spend a few minutes each day staring at myself in the mirror as I tend to the routine of scraping off the days growth.

I decided today to really give myself a face to face --eyeball to eyeball examination from the shoulders up. I wonder why when I looked myself dead center in the eye, that I never flinched or turned my head away. Am I so sure of who I am and how I am living my life that there was no reason whatsoever to flinch--just a little?

In everyday life, whenever I meet up with somebody--and I remember I was supposed to do something which I didn't or I was reminded of some way that I had mis-behaved towards them in the past, I feel sheepish and uneasy. I know that I am in the wrong and that things are not right. I - feel- guilty.

So--if when I look into my own eyes and am confronted by myself in the mirror--why didn't I flinch? I know that I have not been 100% true to myself or to my creator--so why is there no flinch?

I wonder if the reason is--that I have compromised my standards--in some way. I have agreed to expect less of my efforts and less of my standards. I have lowered the bar and now no longer react to guilt in the same way as I did in the past. It must have snuck up on me over a period of time and I must have let my guard down. I didn't mean for it to happen. it was like gravity slowly causing my chin to droop. Or was it?

No, No, No! I cannot blame my lack of self control and integraty on outside influence. I must take responsibility for how I behave and what my standards are.

Now that I am aware of my lack of guilt when confronting myself, it is time to review my priorities. My standards should not be compromised. It is time for a serious self appraisal.

Come on Yodi, we have some work to do here.

Is truth objective?--or just the truth

How can an obsolute truth be anything but just that--the truth ?

Doesn't the truth have its own way of revealing itself?

Is truth simply subjective to each person and that person picks out from the evidence that which suports his/her view?

I have discussed, argued, and debated , and arm twisted to get my own points--[truths] across and had the same done to me. Regardless of all the back and forth over the years i have come to one immutable absolute truth. Truth never needs to be debated or argued over. it is better to stand back and silently allow itself to reveal itself. it always will.

Truth does not need a benefactor or protector. It does not need to be defended. It will always--as my grandmother used to say "come out in the wash".

The truth is Yodi--you will never be as big as the Rottweller or as small as the Canary.
So quit comparing yourself to others and enjoy who you are. No manner or skill of debate will ever make you on pound heavier or one inch taller. Now--that is the truth.

Pope Benedict XV1

I like most in the world have been quietly--in our own hearts--wondered who would be the next Pontiff. I can honestly say that I felt all along that Cardinal Ratzinger was the best choice.

Of course--I am also a reader of the Carl Ratzinger Fan club blog--and have been for a long time. He simply imbodes the intelligence, spirituality, and vision that I feel the church and the world needs at this time.

We live in a world that is blitzed by new ideas and progressive/regressive thoughts nearly every second of the day. Some ideas may seem right for many such as married priests, women clergy, abortion, euthanasia, bible only faith--and many others. After all--we also have the flavor of the day offered us by coffee carts and ice cream parlors. Why not our faith?

As Cardinal, the Holy Father was a staunch defender of the traditions that have layed the very foundation of our Saviors church. He had enough forsight to see into the future-- that by shedding the traditions-- would leave our church afloat without the rudder of the Holy spirit to guide us. Our souls could end up broken and littered on a distant rocky beach just like a ship would be that left itself adrift after having shed its rudder.

Many may be upset and feel that the new Holy Father is a step into the dark ages. however--1,000 years from now there will be millions upon millions who will be grateful for the church today--staying the course.

Come on Yodi, let's sing a song of praise to "GOD" for delivering us our new Pope.

Tattoos and Body Piercing

Ok Yodi, --I know you are not quite four months old and are of the younger --hip--generation. And, I know that as you grow into the world around you, doggie fashions will enter your world and you will want to be instyle with your peers.

But Yodi--please, please, please--no tattoos or piercings!!

It is hard enough greeting stangers in this odd ball world without needing to get past the macabe visual display of spiked ornaments extending from every orafice . I can't help but stare and find my words stuck to the roof of my mouth. How do you greet these human freak shows? Hello mame--nice looking spikes! Hello sir, is that a picture of a recent trip to Hades?

Why is it that people want to decorate this marvelous body so perfectly designed by our creator, with scribbled ink, outlandish pictures. Why the need to puncture through perfectly health tissue--additional holes only to plug them with hideous looking metal gadgets?

Today it was reported that a man surfing needed to fight off a shrk intent upon making him the main course for supper. More and more of these shark attacks are in the news every year. I wonder if all the tattoos and pierced ornaments are making these victims appear like giant fish lures?

Say good night Yodi.

Who will be the next Pope?

Hey Yodi.-- Come lie down by the stump here and hear what's on my mind.

Yodi,-- What do you make of all the press hoopla surrounding selection process of our new Pope?

I thought we were involved in a presidential election or local sheriffs race by the way the national and international press has been covering the upcoming conclave.

I don't know about you or where your particular religious leanings go--or how you feel about the reporting going on. I for one think it is obscene to be speculating on the spiritual process the Cardinals follow to elect the new Pope.

Some sites are reporting that one Cardinal has 50 plus votes lined up. another site is reporting that the new Pope must come from Latin America. Another argues that Italy needs to reassert itself as the rightful heir to Papal succession.

Today there were discussions about oaths being given to Vatican staff to never reveal any conversational material they might overhear while doing their daily chores.

A false floor was installed under where the very feet of the Cardinal will meet. Under this floor is anti listening systems that prevent eavsdropping by spys--intent upon leaking whatever information they can to the tabloid press.

Our Savior must be puzzled by all this activity. I suspect those doing the speculation are the same press who next week will be spinning the airwaves and print with articles lambasting the chosen one.

Yodi--as soon as I find out who the Holy Father elect is-I will let you know. I'm comfortable letting the process run its course. We will end up with who needs to be the Pope--not who we think needs to be.