Episodes
Wednesday Jan 06, 2010
Abundance Reminders
Wednesday Jan 06, 2010
Wednesday Jan 06, 2010
This is another episode of “Abundance”, this installment is called “Reminders”.
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Click on the player to hear an audio version of this piece RemindersTuesday Jan 05, 2010
The Champion of the Weather
Tuesday Jan 05, 2010
Tuesday Jan 05, 2010
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The Champion of the Weather
by O'Henry
If you should speak of the Kiowa Reservation to the average New Yorker he probably wouldn't know whether you were referring to a new political dodge at Albany or a leitmotif from "Parsifal." But out in the Kiowa Reservation advices have been received concerning the existence of New York. A party of us were on a hunting trip in the Reservation. Bud Kingsbury, our guide, philosopher, and friend, was broiling antelope steaks in camp one night. One of the party, a pinkish-haired young man in a correct hunting costume, sauntered over to the fire to light a cigarette, and remarked carelessly to Bud: "Nice night!" "Why, yes," said Bud, "as nice as any night could be that ain't received the Broadway stamp of approval." Now, the young man was from New York, but the rest of us wondered how Bud guessed it. So, when the steaks were done, we besought him to lay bare his system of ratiocination. And as Bud was something of a Territorial talking machine he made oration as follows: "How did I know he was from New York? Well, I figured it out as soon as he sprung them two words on me. I was in New York myself a couple of years ago, and I noticed some of the earmarks and hoof tracks of the Rancho Manhattan." "Found New York rather different from the Panhandle, didn't you, Bud?" asked one of the hunters. "Can't say that I did," answered Bud; "anyways, not more than some. The main trail in that town which they call Broadway is plenty travelled, but they're about the same brand of bipeds that tramp around in Cheyenne and Amarillo, At first I was sort of rattled by the crowds, but I soon says to myself, 'Here, now, Bud; they're just plain folks like you and Geronimo and Grover Cleveland and the Watson boys, so don't get all flustered up with consternation under your saddle blanket,' and then I feels calm and peaceful, like I was back in the Nation again at a ghost dance or a green corn pow-wow. "I'd been saving up for a year to give this New York a whirl. I knew a man named Summers that lived there, but I couldn't find him; so I played a lone hand at enjoying the intoxicating pleasures of the corn-fed metropolis. "For a while I was so frivolous and locoed by the electric lights and the noises of the phonographs and the second-story railroads that I forgot one of the crying needs of my Western system of natural requirements. I never was no hand to deny myself the pleasures of sociable vocal intercourse with friends and strangers. Out in the Territories when I meet a man I never saw before, inside of nine minutes I know his income, religion, size of collar, and his wife's temper, and how much he pays for clothes, al imony, and chewing tobacco. It's a gift with me not to be penurious with my conversation. "But this here New York was inaugurated on the idea of abstemiousness in regard to the parts of speech. At the end of three weeks nobody in the city had fired even a blank syllable in my direction except the waiter in the grub emporium where I fed. And as his outpourings of syntax wasn't nothing but plagiarisms from the bill of fare, he never satisfied my yearnings, which was to have somebody hit. If I stood next to a man at a bar he'd edge off and give a Baldwin-Ziegler look as if he suspected me of having the North Pole concealed on my person. I began to wish that I'd gone to Abilene or Waco for my _paseado_; for the mayor of them places will drink with you, and the first citizen you meet will tell you his middle name and ask' you to take a chance in a raffle for a music box. "Well, one day when I was particular hankering for to be gregarious with something more loquacious than a lamp post, a fellow in a caffy says to me, says he: "'Nice day!' "He was a kind of a manager of the place, and I reckon he'd seen me in there a good many times. He had a face like a fish and an eye like Judas, but I got up and put one arm around his neck. "'Pardner,' I says, 'sure it's a nice day. You're the first gentleman in all New York to observe that the intricacies of human speech might not be altogether wasted on William Kingsbury. But don't you think,' says I, 'that 'twas a little cool early in the morning; and ain't there a feeling of rain in the air to-night? But along about noon it sure was gallupsious weather. How's all up to the house? You doing right well with the caffy, now?' "Well, sir, that galoot just turns his back and walks off stiff, without a word, after all my trying to be agreeable! I didn't know what to make of it. That night I finds a note from Summers, who'd been away from town, giving the address of his camp. I goes up to his house and has a good, old-time talk with his folks. And I tells Summers about the actions of this coyote in the caffy, and desires interpretation. "'Oh,' says Summers, 'he wasn't intending to strike up a conversation with you. That's just the New York style. He'd seen you was a regular customer and he spoke a word or two just to show you he appreciated your custom. You oughtn't to have followed it up. That's about as far as we care to go with a stranger. A word or so about the weather may be ventured, but we don't generally make it the basis of an acquaintance. ' "'Billy,' says I, 'the weather and its ramifications is a solemn subject with me. Meteorology is one of my sore points. No man can open up the question of temperature or humidity or the glad sunshine with me, and then turn tail on it without its leading to a falling barometer. I'm going down to see that man again and give him a lesson in the art of continuous conversation. You say New York etiquette allows him two words and no answer. Well, he's going to turn himself into a weather bureau and finish what he begun with me, besides indulging in neighbourly remarks on other subjects.' "Summers talked agin it, but I was irritated some and I went on the street car back to that caffy. "The same fellow was there yet, walking round in a sort of back corral where there was tables and chairs. A few people was sitting around having drinks and sneering at one another. "I called that man to one side and herded him into a corner. I unbuttoned enough to show him a thirty-eight I carried stuck under my vest. "'Pardner,' I says, 'a brief space ago I was in here and you seized the opportunity to say it was a nice day. When I attempted to corroborate your weather signal, you turned your back and walked off. Now,' says I, 'you frog-hearted, language-shy, stiff-necked cross between a Spitzbergen sea cook and a muzzled oyster, you resume where you left off in your discourse on the weather.' "The fellow looks at me and tries to grin, but he sees I don't and he comes around serious. "'Well,' says he, eyeing the handle of my gun, 'it was rather a nice day; some warmish, though.' "'Particulars, you mealy-mouthed snoozer,' I says -- 'let's have the specifications -- expatiate -- fill in the outlines. When you start anything with me in short-hand it's bound to turn out a storm signal.' "'Looked like rain yesterday,' says the man, 'but it cleared off fine in the forenoon. I hear the farmers are needing rain right badly up-State.' "'That's the kind of a canter,' says I. 'Shake the New York dust off your hoofs and be a real agreeable kind of a centaur. You broke the ice, you know, and we're getting better acquainted every minute. Seems to me I asked you about your family?' "'They're all well, thanks,' says he. 'We -- we have a new piano.' "'Now you're coming it,' I says. 'This cold reserve is breaking up at last. That little touch about the piano almost makes us brothers. What's the youngest kid's name?' I asks him. "'Thomas,' says he. 'He's just getting well from the measles.' "'I feel like I'd known you always,' says I. 'Now there was just one more -- are you doing right well with the caffy, now?' "'Pretty well,' he says. 'I'm putting away a little money.' "'Glad to hear it,' says I. 'Now go back to your work and get civilized. Keep your hands off the weather unless you're ready to follow it up in a personal manner, It's a subject that naturally belongs to sociability and the forming of new ties, and I hate to see it handed out in small change in a town like this.' "So the next day I rolls up my blankets and hits the trail away from New York City." For many minutes after Bud ceased talking we lingered around the fire, and then all hands began to disperse for bed. As I was unrolling my bedding I heard the pinkish-haired young man saying to Bud, with something like anxiety in his voice: "As I say, Mr. Kingsbury, there is something really beautiful about this night. The delightful breeze and the bright stars and the clear air unite in making it wonderfully attractive." "Yes," said Bud, "it's a nice night."LITERATURE OUT LOUD
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Click on the player to hear an audio version of this piece The Champion of the WeatherMonday Jan 04, 2010
I Am A Champion
Monday Jan 04, 2010
Monday Jan 04, 2010
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Coach Flowers
I am a Champion
I will conquer what has never been conquered. Defeat will not be in my creed. I will believe where all those before me have doubted. I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor and respect of my team. I have trained my mind and now my body will follow! I will acknowledge the fact that I am an elite warrior who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by any means at my disposal. I accept the fact that my team expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than our opponents. Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be. One hundred percent and more. Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well trained warrior. My heart and my soul will be the fuel to carry my body when my limbs are too weary. I will never falter, I will never lose focus as long as there is hope in my mind and my heart still beats. I will never give in to the evil that is weakness and I will fight that evil with my dying breath. Energetically will I meet my enemies, no one will challenge me, none will stop me from my goal. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Champion’s word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall at the hands of my enemy and under no circumstances will I ever surrender. Readily will I display the discipline and strength required to fight on to my objective and I will complete my mission. I will rise when I fallen. I will rip the heart from my enemy and leave it beating on the ground. My enemy need not fear me but he will respect me and if he does not. I will make him respect me with all that I have to give. History will remember my name and he will not have to be kind. For I will have denied his criticisms and put in my own praise, No one will define me, no one will tell me what I can achieve, none will say I have not given all I have to give and none will take my glory.
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Click on the player to hear an audio version of this piece I Am a ChampionMonday Jan 04, 2010
A Real Champion
Monday Jan 04, 2010
Monday Jan 04, 2010
Real Champions
Can’t we all be champions? Doesn’t everyone who plays deserve a trophy? Trying to define what a champion is led me to a quote by John Madden:
“The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else. “
That’s not a bad measurement. It still doesn’t tell me who a champion is. If you remember Lou Ferrigno, he was the hulk on the TV series “The Incredible Hulk”. He said:
“To be a champion you must act like one, act like a champion. “
Acting like a champion I understand. But, I know a lot of people who act like champions, but that still doesn’t give us a measurement or definition. If you follow the women’s golf, you probably know who Patty Berg is, and I like her definition. she said:
“What does it take to be a champion? Desire, dedication, determination, concentration and the will to win.“
I guess champions really don’t have to be world heavyweight boxers, athletes, or race car drivers. A champion really can be you or me, especially if we have enough desire, dedication, determination and concentration. We need the will to win.
Then I do know some champions. One of my champions is Jerry Elison, who taught at Orem high School for over 40 years. Then he returned part-time. He continues to inspire me though he is in his 80’s, and he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. You probably know someone like Mr. E.
I really do think many people are champions, especially those who continue to do their work quietly without fanfare, but have the will to win. They have the desire, the dedication, determination and concentration champions exhibit.
Even though I think of Newman from “The Jerry Seinfeld” show, I think the mail carriers are champions. I think teachers, doctors, emergency personnel, fire fighters, and police are champions. They serve with desire, dedication, determination and concentration. They have the will to win. But then, so do criminals.
In my motivational presentation, “B positive – more than a blood type”, I like to encourage people to be their best selves. In the phrase “My Best Self”, I stress that the “M” in “My Best Self” represents “Making a Positive Contribution”. It used to be “Makes a Difference”. But criminals can make a difference, especially if they are stealing your wallet. Earl Nightengale used this same justification to stress our efforts in this life should be positive, and contribute to the good in the world. I think that should be added to our definition of a champion.
This may be why the soccer philosophy may have spread in the world. The “everyone gets a trophy” idea really isn’t so bad. Most people really do their best. That includes workers, bosses, entrepreneurs, consumers, and probably even you. If you are doing your best, with desire, dedication, determination, and concentration, you may be a champion. If you have the will to succeed, you may be a champion.
If you are doing your job, providing for your family, caring for children; if you are making a positive contribution in this world, you probably are a champion. Think about a single divorced mother who has to go back to work to support her family. There are hours dedicated to work, to family, to sleep. Where two parents were supposed to provide a nurturing environment, now there is one. What better definition of a champion can we find?
But even two parents with children are heroes in my book. In fact, there are so many discouraging factors in the world today that anyone; mother, father, sister, brother, single, married, divorced, any race, creed, anywhere in the wide world; anyone who survives from day to day without major depression is a hero. There are so many reasons to lose faith, to be discouraged, to give up hope. But somehow, most people find a way to get out of bed in the morning and face another day. Abundance may be the reason. There is so much to celebrate, if we can just past all the garbage.
This poem is called Champion. It may describe you.
The average runner runs
until the breath in him is gone,
But the champion has the iron will
that makes him carry on.
For the rest the average runner begs
when limp his muscles grow,
But the champion runs on leaden legs,
his courage makes him go.
The average man's complacent
when he's done his best to score,
But the champion does his best,
and then he does a little more.
We weren’t given this world. We have created it every day we have been alive, and every person makes the world. One less, and it’s not the world we know. What can we do to champion a better tomorrow?
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The Complete Collection of
SHAKESPEARE'S SONNETS
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