Scars and Crowns

In 'The West Wing', Chief of Staff, Leo Mcgeary's long kept secret, that of being a recovering alcoholic and drug user, has now become public. He goes to inform his best friend and the President of the United States Jed Bartlett about it. The President smiles and says -

Leo, are your ready for this? Yes Sir. Well then Leo, remember the battles you've fought, and won and we shall be fine

When you think of battles and of victory, seldom in man's life there is just one. One follows another; a man must struggle and battle all his life.

The traveler that man becomes in this journey, he must always wear his scars with pride and his prize with modesty. His prize to keep reminding him how far he has come and how courage he once gathered has brought him this far. A stronger tide when it arrives, can be surmounted. The scars to remind on the price he has paid to come this far and to ground him to his humble beginnings. Such is the character of a true victory.

Remember the battles you've fought

Arrogance

My 2nd favorite quote from 'The Last Lecture' by Randy Pausch. Emailing this to a special friend to remind him something. Worth scribbling down here -


[Lesson from his mentor Andy Van Dam, when Randy was his teaching assistant as
  sophmore at Brown University] Andy put his arm around my shoulders and we went for a
  little walk and he said, Randy, it's such a shame that people perceive you as so arrogant.
  Because it's going to limit what you're going to be able to accomplish in life. (p. 18)

The Laughing Heart by Charles Bukowski

Came across this poem in a Levis ad. Not a big fan of poetry. But surprisingly, this has managed to stick through.


“your life is your life


don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.

be on the watch.

there are ways out.

there is a light somewhere.

it may not be much light but

it beats the darkness.

be on the watch.

the gods will offer you chances.

know them.

take them.

you can’t beat death but

you can beat death in life, sometimes.

and the more often you learn to do it,

the more light there will be.

your life is your life.

know it while you have it.

you are marvelous

the gods wait to delight

in you.”
 
- Charles Bukowski