Note To Self

 

Everybody is a genius in his or her own way. Everybody is unique in what they have to learn and what they have to offer. But when you judge yourself using the wrong criteria, you might believe you’re not good at what you do, you’re unsuccessful or even stupid. The key trick is to discover the right criteria to judge yourself upon. You will then discover, you are indeed a genius.

On being of value

               
                                                        Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.
-Albert Einstein

I can never see too many pictures of black fathers spending quality time with their sons. I don't see this in Oregon. Unless I go to church.

BE Basement Elevation

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.

--Albert Einstein

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.
~Albert Einstein

Note to self- Persistence

I think and think for months, for years. Ninety-nine times the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.
-- Albert Einstein
 
Back in the day, a girlfriend was getting her Masters in African Studies, and she invited me to see Maya Angelou, who was coming to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She had personally invited Ms Angelou to speak at an event, and I had a front-row seat.  I was so very excited. I have been a fan of Ms Angelou since I was in the 2nd grade when my speech pathologist introduced me to poetry and the writings of Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks and Maya Angelou. At the conclusion of her very encouraging and inspiring discussion was the question and answer session, when I asked the following question:
 
"If there was one piece of advice you could give aspiring writers, what would it be?"
and she said,
"Keep trying. My poetry was rejected 210 times before the first one was published. If I had given up at the 210th time, you might not have ever heard of me."
 
I'm carrying that answer to this day, and am applying it to every single facet of my life, to keep trying, and to be persistent. I remind my nephew of this all the time. Success is around the corner. Maybe not around the very next corner, but if you keep trying, you'll find it.

When the solution is simple, God is answering.

-Albert Einstein