Life's lessons: Explore, dream, discover

by Richard L. Weaver II

Ever since my grandmother put her hand on my head and said, “Dickie, whatever you are be that. Whatever you say be true. Straightforwardly act, be honest, in fact, but be nobody else but you,” I have been intrigued by witty sayings, quaint aphorisms, words of wisdom, and humorous words to the wise.

Perhaps my grandmother’s gesture was an omen regarding my life as a speaker and writer, for it is precisely those reasons that have both prolonged and intensified my interest. It just proves the validity of the aphorism, “I finally have my head together . . . now my body is falling apart.”

My early examples of sayings came from my parents. One aphorism that stood out from all others was “What is worth doing is worth doing well”—a quotation from the Earl of Chesterfield (Philip Dormer Stanhope) in a book called Letters to His Son (1774). I’m probably more of a perfectionist than what is good for any person; however, looking back on my life I realize that I internalized this quotation as a core value. It pushes you toward perfection.

Living according to a quotation from your parents is like many of the things you learn from them, you pay little attention to it when it is conveyed, but suddenly and unexpectedly you realize it is guiding your life. It is easier getting older than it is getting wiser.

All through the raising of our four children, one of the predominant quotations was, “Life is unfair; deal with it!” This was a response to our children’s attempts to level the playing field. When one received an opportunity not shared by the others, the question was always, “Why does so-and-so get such-and-such, and I don’t?” In general, we found that raising teenagers was like nailing Jell-o to a tree.

In raising kids you always have to keep in mind that today’s mighty oak is just yesterday’s nut that held its ground. And, in looking back, it is clear that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

Witty sayings have been incorporated into my writing simply because they add interest, entertainment and, hopefully, assist memory. A saying that I used in one of the speeches published in Vital Speeches of the Day, was selected for inclusion in Reader’s Digest. From there it was picked up by Garborg’s of Bloomington, Minnesota, for inclusion as a saying on one of their “Cherished Thoughts” eternal calendars. Finally, it was chosen as the chapter-opening quotation in a wonderful book on humor by Edgar E. Willis entitled “How to be Funny on Purpose: Creating and Consuming Humor” (Amazon.com, 2005). The quotation reads, “One of the best things people can have up their sleeves is a funny bone.”

Of course, once a quotation finds its way to the Internet, it gets around quickly, and I discovered the quotation, sometimes with proper attribution and sometimes without, at a wide variety of locations including “Cool Quotes,” “Quotes-Famous Quotes,” “Laughter Heals Foundation,” “My Quote Page for Cancer,” and “Thoughts on the Business of Life - Forbes.com” to name just a few. One source attributes it to Robert Weaver.

Why did I visit these sites on the Internet? Because laughing helps. It’s like jogging on the inside. So I went jogging on the Internet! Maybe it wasn’t for the laughter, maybe it was because my mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves me completely.

Early in my teaching career, I would tell my students “Be a sponge for knowledge,” which is a condensed version of Jim Rohn’s motivational quotes which reads, “Be like a sponge when it comes to each new experience. If you want to be able to express it well, you must first be able to absorb it well.”

I became so enamored with quotations that I would purchase books of them. Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations is probably the most popular, but there were many others like Jampolsky and Cirincione’s Wake-Up Calls, Maltz’s Thoughts to Live By, Peter’s Quotations, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, Prochnow’s The Complete Toastmaster, Adam’s Encyclopedia of Humor, Petty’s Apples of Gold and her Wings of Silver as well, and this barely touches the surface.

And what did I do with all the quotations? I would put the relevant ones at the bottom of the examinations I gave. I instructed students that the quotations were for added interest only, and they did not have any direct bearing on the content of the examination questions. If students chose to, they were told the quotations could be avoided altogether.

Because of the numerous requests for the quotations, I compiled a handout that included just the quotations. On a regular basis, I had to reprint these handouts because of the extensive requests. Many were motivational such as Henry James’s “It’s time to start living the life you’ve imagined,” or Abraham Lincoln’s, “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

There have been several related quotations that have driven my teaching style and approach. Henry David Thoreau said, “I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.” William James, in a closely related quote, said “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” And the culminating quotation that, for me as a teacher, served as the catalyst for these, is Johann W. von Goethe’s statement, “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.”

My speaking and writing is replete with keys, steps, approaches, and ideas for growth, development, and change. Thus, this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, for me, became a self-motivator as well as a motivator of others: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” True, but how do we get there? “The important thing is this,” said John Lembo, “to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.”

Mark Twain captured this best when he said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

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At Life’s Lesson , Randy has a lesson in “Learning Through the Ages (Thanks Marlene G)” for ages from 5 to 85 that are enjoyable and reflective. They are just short quotation-like statements, but they can really make you think. Delightful.

At Marc and Angel Hack Life , there are practical tips for productive living. At the website mentioned here, they have listed “26 Life Lessons Learned by Age 26.” Also, they list other essays in the right margin that I have not read, but that look interesting. Some of these titles are, “50 Things Everyone Should Know How To Do,” “How To Walk On Water,” “21 Keys to Magnetic,” Likeability,” “70 Things To Do Before Having Children,” “The 30 Most Satisfying Simple Pleasures Life Has to Offer,” “The 7 Habits of Highly Happy People,” “10 Reasons You Are Rich,” and “8 Means for Living Below Your Means.” This is just a sampling.
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Copyright April 2009 by And Then Some Publishing L.L.C.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

Do your job naturally because you like it, and success will take care of itself. —Norman Vincent Peale

Day #53 - Find enjoyment in your work, is the daily reminder in the delightful day-to-day guide, Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! (SMOERs): Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living, compiled by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D. There are 365 daily reminders and over 1600 quotations for the boost you need to brighten your day - every day - and uplift your spirits. The book is now available and can be purchased at Amazon.com. Once you read just one day, you, too, will want s'more!

And Then Some News

Hey folks, it's here! SMOERs is available from Amazon.com for only $14.95. And, too, check out the new website: smoers.com Day 92 of the book reads, "Do not judge books by their covers." And here is a delightful warning for you: On the cover of the book SMOERs---Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules: Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living there is a picture (thanks to Aime Inman-Cox) of a delicious s'more. Despite this tempting morsel, this is not a recipe or cooking book. It is not an instruction book about how to make s'mores, nor is there a single prescription, formula, or blueprint inside for the perfect s'more. There are 365 reminders and over 1600 quotations, and we know that once you read just a single day from the book, you will definitely want s'more!
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Thursday’s essay, “Life’s lessons: Explore, dream, discover,” is an essay that celebrates our new SMOER’s book. We’ve saved it for more than three years just for this moment! It honors the role that anecdotes, phrases, quotations, and sayings play in our lives.

Share your link. Have you written anything on the effects of anecdotes, phrases, quotations, and sayings? How about material on the role that these play in your life? Any personal experiences? Share your link with us. We’ll post it and move traffic in your direction. And, a big “thank you,” in advance, from AndThenSomeWorks.com, for sharing your link.

Click here to LINK your And Then Some story

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview
Life's lessons: Explore, dream, discover
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:

Witty sayings have been incorporated into my writing simply because they add interest, entertainment and, hopefully, assist memory. A saying that I used in one of the speeches published in Vital Speeches of the Day, was selected for inclusion in Reader’s Digest. From there it was picked up by Garborg’s of Bloomington, Minnesota, for inclusion as a saying on one of their “Cherished Thoughts” eternal calendars. Finally, it was chosen as the chapter-opening quotation in a wonderful book on humor by Edgar E. Willis entitled “How to be Funny on Purpose: Creating and Consuming Humor” (Amazon.com, 2005). The quotation reads, “One of the best things people can have up their sleeves is a funny bone.”

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And Then Some Works - see you Thursday!!

Book Review Mondays

More information at Amazon.com No obligation to buy Click below:

Zen in the Art of Writing
by Ray Bradbury

Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, PhD.

Ray Bradbury's Zen in the Art of Writing is a collection of ten essays and eight poems from his past writings that illustrate his views on what a writer should do and be. His views on the psychology, philosophy, and purpose of writing are still relevant, captivating, and enlightening. In reading Stephen King's On Writing along with this one, you will discover both appeal to the intuitive writer and not to the methodical one, and you quickly discover the love both authors have for their readers and their craft. What I found most impressive in this work is how Bradbury inspires. You quickly discover his passion for writing just as, by example, he makes the point that passion is, indeed, the key ingredient to success in the field. Excellence in writing
springs from the subconscious, or the muse, as Bradbury explains it. Thus, for writers to be successful, they must find their muse, feed it, and keep it active. In this short book (150 pages), you get a peek into his publishing life, his methods for inspiration and developing stories, and relish in his enthusiasm and love of words. As one reviewer said, "It cuts through the tedious, mind-numbing, literary algorithms of writing seminars and classes." This is an exceptional guide that teaches the basics of the creative writing process.

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Through our reading, researching, and writing, And Then Some Publishing (and our extended family of readers) mine volumes of books representing a wide variety of tastes. We use the books in our writing, test and try suggested techniques, and we read for enjoyment as well. We wouldn't spend the time reviewing the books if we didn't get something out of it. Read more reviews on other fantastic books at our BookWorks website.

Weekend Words

"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." ---Rudyard Kipling

Trying to understand everything

by Richard L. Weaver II

Perhaps I was too easily influenced, however, my parents, teachers, and ministers always impressed me as I was growing up with how much they knew. They just seemed to have all the answers, and because of that they not only had my attention and respect, but my admiration as well. When I read books, too, I couldn’t believe the expertise of authors. When I was young — much of the way through high school and college, too — I placed authors on a pedestal. I didn’t just think highly of them, I revered, even worshiped them.

It was only four years after completing graduate school that I was asked if I was interested in writing a textbook, and both my co-author and publishing company had to convince me that I was now in a position to approach such a task. It was hard for me to believe that I had acquired that level of expertise because, for me, it meant taking my place at the same noble and lofty height at which I had placed the many authors I had read — and so recently, too, it seemed to me.

To illustrate how common the experience is — placing parents, teachers, ministers, and especially authors on a knowledge pedestal — a student came down to the front of the lecture hall after one of my lectures and asked me, “Do you know everything there is to know about speech communication?” The question shocked me at first because of the surprise factor. It seemed to have come from nowhere. But it shocked me, too, because in my mind I had resolved that issue, and many times when I have worked through ideas, I think others have come to similar conclusions. How was it possible he could think that of me? No way!

Now, thinking of this situation in retrospect, it revealed the naivete of the student, but, more importantly, how being in the position of director and lecturer of the course and the author of the textbooks could cause a student to think I knew everything.

I treated the student’s question and the questioner with the utmost care. First, I wanted to treat him with the respect and dignity he deserved, of course, but I wanted to make sure I left him with the feeling that I was, indeed, open to any future questions he chose to ask. Second, I wanted to instruct him, too, without belittling, deprecating, or trivializing his question. Thus, I began slowly.

You know, we are tiny complex human beings living in a huge and complex world. And, if you think about it, we will never be able to understand everything. That applies to all levels and all areas of life. It took me a long time to grasp this, but as an author of a textbook, I realized that there will always be things just outside of my comprehension. Also, because there is so much background, such a wealth of history, and so many factors to be considered, we all have a difficult time — no matter how long and hard we study — learning everything there is to know, no matter how much we refine and narrow the subject. New experiences, inventions, experiments, and opinions continually arise, too, that must be considered. Despite everything there is to know, all we can do, in the end, is offer the very minuscule, limited, and biased picture we have as a result of raising our periscope from where we are located, turning it slowly around to view everything we can, and then trying to compose some sort of representation of what’s out there from our perspective — because that’s all we have.

Some of what exists in my own discipline, I will never know. Some of it I will view and try to work out. And even what is known, or what I find out, I will have to interpret and put into a context for myself. Unfortunately, what I have had to do is accept the fact there is and always will be stuff out there that I won’t have time to examine much less understand, and I just have to let it go at that.

One way to understand all of this is to view the entire world in which we live as an enormous jigsaw puzzle with trillions of pieces. We may only have access to just one corner or just a few pieces. The more we search and investigate, of course, more pieces of the puzzle become known to us. But, from the pieces we are dealt and the pieces we discover, we must make assumptions. For the most part, we don’t even know what the whole puzzle looks like, and it is likely that when the veil gets taken away and we see that the puzzle is, indeed, massive, we might even discover that the pieces we were scrutinizing were actually something else entirely or, when the parts at our disposal are put together, we end up looking at an entirely different picture than the one we had imagined.

The student who asked me, “Do you know everything there is to know about speech communication?”actually humbled me somewhat. If students truly believed that I either knew everything (or thought I did), this places an imposing burden on me for representing the information in the best manner possible, offering contrary evidence and information where appropriate, and making certain that I never presented it in a patronizing or arrogant manner. It meant labeling my own insights and opinions, when uncorroborated with supporting evidence, for what they are, and putting facts, statistics, and other data into their proper and appropriate context. That constitutes an awesome burden.

What students do when they assume you know everything there is to know is entrust you with the responsibility of presenting everything in the most accurate, forthright, truthful, genuine, and responsible manner that you can. To be the least bit deceitful or deceptive would be to jeopardize the trust relationship between teacher and student. To add irrelevant opinions such as political, moral, or tangential commentary (unrelated to the subject at hand) would be totally inappropriate and out-of-line.

You see what the problem was when I was first asked if I wanted to write a textbook? The problem was that I didn’t know or understand everything, and I felt that was a necessary prerequisite for approaching such a task. I had to be convinced that what I knew — and would then acquire through research and investigation — was, indeed, sufficient. And, I might add, even after asking the questions, wondering to myself, talking to other people, and completing the research and investigation, I was still unsure that the textbook I had completed satisfied the criteria I had set for authors. The popularity of my first textbook proved otherwise, and convinced me that not only does life not always make sense but that I could let my doubts go, recognize for sure that I would never know everything, and go on to write several more.*


(*To satisfy the curiosity of some readers, it should be known that I went on to write well over thirty college textbooks (including editions), and the ninth edition of Communicating Effectively (written through six editions with Saundra Hybels) was published in 2009.)

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At The Times of India, in an essay, “O-Zone: Must You Understand Everything?,” Vinita Dawra Nangia has offered a delightful perspective on trying to understand everything. She ends her essay saying: “Very often as we move on in life, mysteries and open ended situations we left behind, start falling into place. And invariably we realize as the coins start finding their slots that everything had a reason and a time.... And much as we may have imagined, didn’t need us unraveling or understanding it...Somebody, somewhere understood it all...”

Richard Bernstein writes this review of Roger Shattuck’s book, Forbidden Knowledge at The New York Times website. I have not read Shattuck’s book, but I love the review, especially this paragraph by Bernstein: “Indeed, there is a paradox appreciated by the author in the fact that he had to acquire enormous amounts of knowledge himself in order to address the question of when knowledge becomes too much. Mr. Shattuck's overall purpose is cautionary. Writing at a time when most of humankind is swept up in a Promethean quest for knowledge and liberation, he wants to put in a word for restraint, for boundaries.” Bernstein ends his review saying: “''Forbidden Knowledge'' is the effort of a first-rate thinker to combine personal experience with literature, philosophy and the history of science to produce a moral whole, a creed to live by. The edifice trembles here and there, but it is nonetheless a fine structure, full of dark passages and richly furnished rooms. It will take some time and effort to visit them all, but it will be time and effort well spent.” The book seems to be a quest by Shattuck not to know everything but to make sense of everything he knows.

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Copyright April, 2009 - And Then Some Publishing L.L.C.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

The only way to have a friend is to be one. —Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day #52 - Make a new friend, is the daily reminder in the delightful day-to-day guide, Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! (SMOERs): Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living, compiled by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D. There are 365 daily reminders and over 1600 quotations for the boost you need to brighten your day - every day - and uplift your spirits. And, we have a surprise for you . . . read the information below.

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Author copies of SMOERs arrived yesterday (Tuesday, 04-21-09), and the book has just become available at Amazon.com. In a day or so, you will be able to "Look Inside" at the Amazon web site. If you want to get a jump on all those who will wait for the official announcement and special essay next week, you can go to Amazon.com right now and have the book in your hands by then. All you need to do is go to Amazon.com, and under the category "Books," type smoers into the search engine there, and the book will appear (magically!) before your eyes. This is the most unique book And Then Some Publishing L.L.C. has published thus far, and all of us here at the publishing company are certain you will enjoy it. Try it --- we know you'll want s'more.

And Then Some News

Day 155, "Fill your mind with positive thoughts," (from the book SMOERs) prompted this comment: There is a book jammed full of positive thoughts! That book is SMOERs --- Self Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules: Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living, and right now it is at the printer. It should be available at Amazon.com in just a couple of weeks. Despite the size of the book (over 400 pages), we have kept the price as low as possible --- just $14.95. We are excited, and we think you are going to love this new book. It is unlike anything we've published previously. Under Day 155, there is an anonymous quote that reads, "Few cases of eye strain have been developed by looking on the bright side of things. SMOERs will not cause eye strain because the entire book looks on the bright side of things --- and then some!
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Thursday’s essay, “Trying to understand everything,” is an essay that focuses on both how it happens and how to deal with it. How do you handle people who think you know everything? It also discusses the problem of having to deal with too much information.

Share your link. Have you written anything on trying to understand everything? How about material on dealing with people who think you know everything? Any personal experiences? Share your link with us. We’ll post it and move traffic in your direction. And, a big “thank you,” in advance, from AndThenSomeWorks.com, for sharing your link.

Click here to LINK your And Then Some story

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview
Trying to understand everything
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
You know, we are tiny complex human beings living in a huge and complex world. And, if you think about it, we will never be able to understand everything. That applies to all levels and all areas of life. It took me a long time to grasp this, but as an author of a textbook, I realized that there will always be things just outside of my comprehension. Also, because there is so much background, such a wealth of history, and so many factors to be considered, we all have a difficult time — no matter how long and hard we study — learning everything there is to know, no matter how much we refine and narrow the subject. New experiences, inventions, experiments, and opinions continually arise, too, that must be considered. Despite everything there is to know, all we can do, in the end, is offer the very minuscule, limited, and biased picture we have as a result of raising our periscope from where we are located, turning it slowly around to view everything we can, and then trying to compose some sort of representation of what’s out there from our perspective — because that’s all we have.

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And Then Some Works - see you Thursday!!

Book Review Mondays

More information at Amazon.com No obligation to buy Click below:

The Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time
by Stephen R. Covey

Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, PhD.

Stephen R. Covey's book, The Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time, is designed primarily for educators, however, in addition to principals and teachers, parents of elementary-school students, mentors, parent helpers, Sunday Schools, and church ministries will find it valuable as well. About half of it is devoted to elementary-school case studies. The foundation of the book is the 7 habits (1) Be proactive, 2) Begin with the end in mind, 3) Put first things first, 4) Think win-win, 5) Seek first to understand. Then be understood, 6) Synergize, and 7) Sharpen the saw), and references to the 7 Habits website are frequent. It is, however, written for the layman (without technical jargon), numerous examples are provided, the plan is positive and affirming, and the ideas are practical and implementable. Chapter 8, "Making It Happen, One Step at A Time," covers the 4 imperatives of leadership: 1) Inspire trust, 2) Clarify Purpose, 3) Align systems, and 4) Unleash talent. This is a book designed for a specific readership, but for that readership, it is well worth reading.

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Through our reading, researching, and writing, And Then Some Publishing (and our extended family of readers) mine volumes of books representing a wide variety of tastes. We use the books in our writing, test and try suggested techniques, and we read for enjoyment as well. We wouldn't spend the time reviewing the books if we didn't get something out of it. Read more reviews on other fantastic books at our BookWorks website.

Weekend Words

"Words just say what you want them to; they don't know any better." ---A. L. Kennedy

The real power of language will be yours if you work to expand your vocabulary

by Richard L. Weaver II

One of the common stories that occurs on college campuses is about students who go home during their first major campus holiday. Often, this is Christmas. One of their first goals is to hook up with family members and high school friends who did not have the opportunity to go to college. The complaint most often heard from students returning to college after the break is the perceived distance they experienced between themselves and both family members and friends. Friends would say, “Hey, you know you don’t have to ‘put on airs’ with us!,” or “Just talk like the rest of us. You don’t have to be a show off.”

It happens surreptitiously; it increases slowly over time; most students don’t even know it is occurring. Their vocabulary is increasing daily, and new words creep into their everyday conversations as comfortable and natural ways to express their ideas. But, when they talk with family members and friends who have known them for many years, they don’t alter the way they have learned to talk at college. With the new words indelibly embedded, it is difficult to do, and so, to friends and family members, they sound as if they are trying to be sophisticated, erudite, and learned. That is precisely the influence college has whether it happens because of lectures, readings, or the interaction with others.

As a professor, I had to convince students that this was not a negative occurrence — an unfavorable byproduct of a college education. This was not easy because students were feeling shunned or rejected. One of the primary — although sometimes subliminal — goals of everyone is to fit in and be welcomed. Many college students would rather become self-conscious and make the necessary vocabulary alterations than experience any level of ostracism by others — especially by friends and family members.

Even if I were able to convince students of all the values of having a better vocabulary, the playing field isn’t level when you weigh that against potential rejection by others who are close to them. I would tell them it would help improve their image by adding color to their personality, dynamism to their character, and self-confidence and poise to their presence. In addition, a better vocabulary will energize their thinking power. Directly connected with the speech-communication discipline, I would tell them that a powerful vocabulary will enable them to become fluent conversationalists, maximize their ability to persuade and influence others, transform their negotiating skills, increase their powers of expression, and make it possible for them to articulate their most complex thoughts and ideas. With respect to their future, a better vocabulary will pay dividends in both business and social advancement, impress other professionals, clients, and customers, increase their earning power, and enhance their social status.

Research studies confirm the results with respect to students’ futures. One 20-year study of college graduates revealed, without a single exception, that those who had scored highest on the vocabulary test given in college, were in the top income group, while those who had scored the lowest were in the bottom income group. Dr. Johnson O’Connor, chief scientist of the Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation, found a direct correlation between vocabulary and rank on the corporate ladder. In the study a vocabulary test was given to executive and supervisory personnel in 39 large manufacturing companies. The test results were conclusive: “Presidents and vice presidents average 236 out of a possible 272 points; managers averaged 168; superintendents, 140; foremen, 114; floor bosses, 86. In virtually every case, vocabulary correlated with executive level and income."

A Human Engineering Laboratory Study — a research group founded by Johnson O’Connor — tested the vocabularies of thousands of people in various careers and age groups. The study found that the people drawing the highest salaries scored highest on the vocabulary test. They scored with a consistency that bordered on predictability. Indeed, a superior vocabulary was the one common characteristic of successful people.

Margaret E. Broadley — an authority on Johnson O’Connor’s work and the author of several books on human aptitudes — in her book Your Natural Gifts, shows that as far back as the 1930s, the Human Engineering Laboratory discovered “a close relationship between a large, precise knowledge of English words and achievement in life.”

But what about the opposite? What happens to those with a small vocabulary? “A low vocabulary,” writes Broadley, “is a serious handicap. Ambitious and energetic persons can push ahead in their jobs just so far, but then they reach a plateau caused by low vocabulary. They never advance. And while youthful zest and high aptitudes can enable us to forge ahead despite low vocabulary, when we become mature the world expects us to know something and we are judged on knowledge rather than our possibilities. The world doesn’t see our aptitudes, but it pays for knowledge because that can be seen.”

Broadley reports the negative effects of having a weak vocabulary: “Studies show that at middle-age the low-vocabulary persons are stuck in routine jobs. Furthermore, when big companies have their shakedowns and mergers, too often the low-vocabulary persons find themselves out on the street. Too often they place the blame on prejudice, inside politics, and personal antagonism when the truth can be traced to low vocabulary.”

As noted previously, the wider your vocabulary, the easier it is to capture and express your ideas. You can expand your vocabulary by reading, observing, and listening, and also through experience. Buy a book, read it, and look up every word you don’t understand. Then use those words in conversations. Take the Reader’s Digest “It Pays to Enrich Your Word Power” tests, and when you learn new words, use them in conversations. Practice. When you catch yourself describing something as “nice” or “good,” rephrase the description. Broadley claims that only about 3,500 words separate the high vocabulary person from the low, yet these 3,500 words can mean the difference,” she concludes, “between success and failure.”

Expanding your vocabulary is a matter of wanting to do so. The more vocabulary you have, the easier it will be to both write and speak. And the writers or speakers who can articular their ideas clearly will be looked to for leadership and will find leadership positions comfortable. The real power of language will be yours if you work to expand your vocabulary.

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There is a great website called VerbalSuccess.com, where Greg Ragland’s first of seven lessons discusses four benefits of increasing your vocabulary. He discusses: 1) Read Faster and Comprehend More Information, 2) Increase your intelligence and your IQ, 3) Earn better grades in school, and 4) Achieve greater success and earn more money in your career.

At wikiHow.com, under the heading, “How to Enrich Your English Language Vocabulary,” there are twelve specific steps for expanding your vocabulary in addition to tips on how to go about it. If you are truly interested in expanding your vocabulary, this is a great place to begin.

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Copyright April, 2009 - And Then Some Publishing L.L.C.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

Deception is a cruel act....It often has many players on different stages that corrode the soul. ---Donna A. Favors

Day #51 - Avoid deception, is the daily reminder in the delightful day-to-day guide, Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! (SMOERs): Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living, compiled by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D. There are 365 daily reminders and over 1600 quotations for the boost you need to brighten your day - every day - and uplift your spirits. Available Spring 2009. Once you read just one day, you, too, will want s'more!

And Then Some News

Day 275, "Be the bearer of good news," (from the book SMOERs) prompted this comment: There is some new, terrific news. The book, SMOERs --- Self Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules: Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living, has been proofed and sent to the printer, and it should be available at Amazon.com in just a couple of weeks. Despite the size of the book (over 400 pages), we have kept the price as low as possible --- just $14.95. We are excited, and we think you are going to love this new book. It is unlike anything we've published previously. Under Day 275, Jennifer James writes, "The accumulation of small, optimistic acts produces quality in our culture and in your life...." We are sure that SMOERs has the potential for producing quality in your life.
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WE HAVE A NEW IDEA YOU MIGHT FIND ENJOYABLE! We are in the process of constructing a new website for smoers.com. No, it isn't finished yet, but you can view it now online, and you can watch as ANT, webmaster for And Then Some Publishing L.L.C., builds it. We expect to have it finished by May 1st, 2009, but in the meantime, it grows and grows --- and you can watch it grow and then some!
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Thursday’s essay, “The real power of language will be yours if you work to expand your vocabulary,” is an essay that focuses on both the value of having a good vocabulary as well as the weaknesses of having a poor one. It also discusses how to improve your vocabulary, and it offers a link to a website where there are numerous suggestions for improving vocabulary.

Share your link. Have you written anything on language or vocabulary? How about material on what happens when you increase your vocabulary? Any personal experiences? Share your link with us. We’ll post it and move traffic in your direction. And, a big “thank you,” in advance, from AndThenSomeWorks.com, for sharing your link.

Click here to LINK your And Then Some story

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview
The real power of language will be yours if you work to expand your vocabulary
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
I would tell [students that expanding their vocabulary] would help improve their image by adding color to their personality, dynamism to their character, and self-confidence and poise to their presence. In addition, a better vocabulary will energize their thinking power. Directly connected with the speech-communication discipline, I would tell them that a powerful vocabulary will enable them to become fluent conversationalists, maximize their ability to persuade and influence others, transform their negotiating skills, increase their powers of expression, and make it possible for them to articulate their most complex thoughts and ideas. With respect to their future, a better vocabulary will pay dividends in both business and social advancement, impress other professionals, clients, and customers, increase their earning power, and enhance their social status.

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And Then Some Works - see you Thursday!!

Book Review Mondays

More information at Amazon.com No obligation to buy Click below:

Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes
by Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein

Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, PhD.

Cathcart and Klein, in the book Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes, describe the findings of the great philosophers throughout history, and this book, thus, serves as a primer in philosophy. Not really. There are an overabundance of jokes --- some of it intellectual humor --- and the lessons in philosophy are brief, entertaining vignettes. But, if you are looking for a light work of non-fiction with plentiful humor that ranges from corny to very amusing, this book is worth it. It is an amusing way --- can I say inventive or
creative? --- way to look at various aspects of philosophy, If you've had a philosophy course, all the better, then consider this a Cliff Notes overview of metaphysics, logic, epistemology, ethics, religion, existentialism, language, social and political theory, and relativity (a Reader's Digest condensed version may be a better comparison). The "Great Moments in the History of Philosophy" and the "Glossary" are delectable gems. Cathcart and Klein have written a book with interesting insights, some wisdom, and a collection of cute --- some even provocative --- jokes. It is truly an entertaining book.

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Through our reading, researching, and writing, And Then Some Publishing (and our extended family of readers) mine volumes of books representing a wide variety of tastes. We use the books in our writing, test and try suggested techniques, and we read for enjoyment as well. We wouldn't spend the time reviewing the books if we didn't get something out of it. Read more reviews on other fantastic books at our BookWorks website.

Weekend Words

"We need words to keep us human. Being human is an accomplishment like playing an instrument. It takes practice." ---Michael Ignatieff

When you are in charge, the sky is the limit

by Richard L. Weaver II

I don’t know exactly when it happened, but it was a dramatic, important, occurrence that put me in charge of my life. It was the point when I discovered that I am the teacher. It was the discovery that from every situation there can be something to learn. It was, indeed, when I realized that doing well — being successful — was totally and unequivocally in my hands, and in my hands only. Nobody else had that responsibility except me.

Although this point may be slow in coming, and for some it may never come at all — as they continue to blame others for their position, status, mood, or circumstances — the importance of this discovery cannot be underestimated. Why? Because it is a point, too, when you begin to depend on your intuition. It is a point when you begin to know what you know, and know that you know. You begin to trust yourself, and that is a key.

I think it’s easy to underestimate one’s own ability, knowledge, and foundation. And yet, we have it all. It’s all here: the facts, experience, and knowledge that we need to make decisions and take action.

Let me give you an example. One of the problems that I faced in directing a large, basic speech-communication course at the college level was plagiarism and cheating. When you are dealing with close to 3,000 undergraduates per year, you are going to have these problems. It can’t be avoided.

Early in my directing of the course, I would deal with students who said, “I didn’t know it was wrong.” Although I couldn’t believe they were being honest in saying this, other faculty would continually tell me that I had to make it clear to undergraduates what plagiarism and cheating involved. What was it exactly — spell it out for them?

For a very long time I resisted thinking first that I was being patronizing since this was college and students had clearly learned along the way that teachers expected the work they submitted to be theirs and not that of someone else. Second, I didn’t want to waste space in my student manual or time in my lectures to treat a topic so basic, so well-known, and so universal. In their guts people know right from wrong.

But, each year of my teaching I became more and more specific. I took the time in lecture, and explanations in the student manual expanded. I even instructed my graduate teaching assistants what they needed to say in their small groups. To me, it seemed like we were spending an inordinate amount of time on a topic everyone already knew about. And, besides, the number of plagiarism and cheating cases never seemed to diminish. Oh, the excuses no longer were “I didn’t know that was cheating,” since it was so clearly spelled out, to such things as, “I just didn’t have the time.”

I knew all along that students knew what plagiarism and cheating were. I knew that they could rely on their intuition about what was right and what was wrong. Not only could they do it, they did it all the time anyway in all their other activities and behaviors.

What I discovered — and what I really liked — about relying on my own intuition to make decisions is the power that it gave me. I never really thought about it as power, but my reliance on my own judgment and my dependence on myself as my advisor was like knowing where the seat of authority was located. And that authority was also a change agent.

If I wanted to make changes, I could do it. Richard Templar, in a book entitled The Rules of Life writes about control and change:

“Often the only ear we have is our own. The only definite influence we have is over ourselves. The only thing we can really, really change is exactly that — ourselves. Wonderful. What an opportunity to do some good. What a chance to make a real contribution. Begin with ourselves and let it spread outward. This way we don’t have to waste time preaching to those who won’t listen. We don’t have to waste effort or energy or resources on things over which we have no control and no certainty of any success. By changing ourselves, though, we can be assured of a result (p. 35)”

I can point to numbers of stages in my life where I depended on my intuition — and personal authority — to make the changes I thought necessary at that point. And, in looking back, I think that most of them were correct given the facts or circumstances of which I was aware at that point. It is always possible that a different decision would have been made when additional facts or consequences become known. And, too, decisions and actions can be changed given new information. When one is making important decisions, flexibility is key. Also, it is important to consult with others, to gather evidence, and to do your homework. All of this, of course, is assumed.

One of the things that occurred when I became my own teacher was not just thinking for myself but forming beliefs. With specific beliefs formed, then you can spend time looking for the facts to back them up, or vice versa, start accumulating facts and allow the facts to culminate in a belief, conclusion, or generalization. As I started holding specific beliefs, I found it easier to have things to think about. That was one of the reasons I enjoyed college so much, and both science and speech classes offered an enormous number of things to think about. Doing the thinking proved interesting, worthwhile, and challenging. Those who are badly adjusted or struggling, I’m sure, have difficulty having things outside of themselves to think about.

When I truly put myself in charge of my life, I realized that I could do anything I focused my mind on. Understand that this is your rational mind so you don’t set your goal on fantasies, illusions, and visions. Rather, you stay within reality and you deal with the truths of your abilities, capabilities, and potential. When you know yourself and depend on yourself, this becomes easy to do, and your aptitudes becomes clearly aligned with your attitudes.

Where being in charge has made the most difference is in my daily life. I love to accomplish things, to complete “to do” lists, and to get jobs finished. Although I take time out to relax, enjoy my family, travel, read, and appreciate my yard, when I am not relaxing I am an achiever. They say, “If you have a job to be done, give it to a busy person.” The sky becomes the limit because being in charge has made me the executor of my life. I am the finisher.

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Pauline Salvucci has an excellent essay, “Taking control of your life!,” at the website HealingWell.com in which she offers practical advice and specific suggestions. She ends her essay by saying: “Being in control of your life opens you up. The more you're able to stretch yourself, the more you'll access the benefits, depth and wisdom that come from using your mind, heart, spirit -- and the more you'll receive from what life has to offer. This is the important lesson. Learn it and live well!”

Reed Floren, in his essay, “10 Tips For Taking Control Of Your Life,” talks about: 1) Take proper care of yourself, 2) What are you grateful for?, 3) Look for proof rather than making assumptions, 4) Refrain from using absolutes, 5) Detach any negative thoughts, 6) Squash the “ANTs,” 7) Practice loving, touching and squeezing on your friends and family 8) Increase social activity, 9) Help others or volunteer for an organization, 10) Resist rumination with pattern interrupts.

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Copyright April, 2009 - And Then Some Publishing L.L.C.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

Once you choose hope, anything's possible. --Christopher Reeve

Day #50 - Never give up hope, is the daily reminder in the delightful day-to-day guide, Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! (SMOERs): Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living, compiled by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D. There are 365 daily reminders and over 1600 quotations for the boost you need to brighten your day - every day - and uplift your spirits. Available Spring 2009. Once you read just one day, you, too, will want s'more!

And Then Some News

Thursday’s essay, “When you are in charge, the sky is the limit,” is an essay that focuses on what happens when one takes charge of his or her life. It doesn’t matter when it happens, but it does matter that it happens!

Share your link. Have you written anything on taking control of your life? How about material on what happens when you take charge of your life? Share your link with us. We’ll post it and move traffic in your direction. And, a big “thank you,” in advance, from AndThenSomeWorks.com, for sharing your link.

Click here to LINK your And Then Some story

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview
When you are in charge, the sky is the limit
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
I don’t know exactly when it happened, but it was a dramatic, important, occurrence that put me in charge of my life. It was the point when I discovered that I am the teacher. It was the discovery that from every situation there can be something to learn. It was, indeed, when I realized that doing well — being successful — was totally and unequivocally in my hands, and in my hands only. Nobody else had that responsibility except me.

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And Then Some Works - see you Thursday!!

Book Review Mondays

More information at Amazon.com No obligation to buy Click below:

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
by Stephen King

Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, PhD.

Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft is about writing, his approach to it, and his advice to writers at all levels. It is not a boring, how-to manual. You get King's advice, taboos of writing, common tools, elements of grammar and style, and his understanding of the paragraph as the basic element of fiction. His essential advice, which I preach in my talks about writing to fourth and fifth graders: "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot." King calls reading the creative center of a writer's life. I was especially interested in King's book because he is a former English teacher, and I expected a unique perspective on the craft of writing, and through his pet peeves, insecurities, horrific experiences, and growth and maturity as a writer, I got exactly what I was looking for. I have read none of King's fiction, although my son is a fan, but I looked at this book as an opportunity to read his thoughts on writing and to get a glimpse of how he works. The book is full of good, simple, well-experienced insights (and suggestions) that will help all writers convey meaning.

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Through our reading, researching, and writing, And Then Some Publishing (and our extended family of readers) mine volumes of books representing a wide variety of tastes. We use the books in our writing, test and try suggested techniques, and we read for enjoyment as well. We wouldn't spend the time reviewing the books if we didn't get something out of it. Read more reviews on other fantastic books at our BookWorks website.

Weekend Words

"Words form the thread on which we string our experiences." ---Aldous Huxley

A small, friendly corporate takeover

by Richard L. Weaver II

It came unannounced, and I was totally unprepared. On a calm, beautiful, fall day, I was working at my computer writing an essay when the phone rang. At first, because of the official-sounding voice on the other end, it sounded like a telemarketing call, but, being on the National Do Not Call Registry made that unlikely. The voice on the other end simply said, “Is Dr. Richard L. Weaver II there?”

I answered, “This is him.”

(I thought maybe I had won a lottery, although I have never in my life entered one, or maybe this was how the “home makeover” people made their first contacts. I expected his next comment to be, “How are you today, Dr. Weaver?” — which is how many telemarketers make it appear they not only know you but are actually concerned about your health!)

“Dr. Weaver, this is Earl Knightly, President and CEO of Earl Knightly Enterprises, an international conglomerate of publishers, and we are interested in your future plans regarding And Then Some Publishing L.L.C.,” he said in an austere and spartan manner.

Taken by surprise, I really didn’t know how to respond. First, I wondered, what business was it of anyone else about my publishing company? Second, I had no information at all on Earl Knightly or Earl Knightly Enterprises. Third, I had never thought about the future plans regarding And Then Some Publishing. We are a small publishing company producing motivational types of books, and our goal is to be successful (to make some money!).

“Mr. Knightly,” I said rather hesitatingly, “I am interested in why you might be asking me this question?”

“Dr. Weaver,” he repeated, “We are an international conglomerate made up of a wide variety of small publishers, and we are always on the lookout for successful small publishers, like yourself, who have excellent products, a successful marketing strategy, and a powerful, positive, and impressive footprint on the Internet, who might be interested in growing quickly from the advantage of an international marketing strategy.”

“Go on,” I said, still revealing a great deal of skepticism in my voice.

“What we have to offer you, Dr. Weaver, is a five-fold strategy for advancing the interests, prospects, and success of your company. First, we will assure that you have the right global image. It will be a cost-savings image because it will target only those who may have interest in your products, and we will market to affluent customers — our primary audience. Your business cards and envelopes will reflect the high quality and top design marketing materials from our world-class artists and will reflect the exact image you are trying to present.

“Second, Dr. Weaver, our in-house writing specialists will create a sophisticated slogan that will be a mini-vision statement of your company. It will be carefully crafted to convey the standards and mission of your company. It will be brief and incisive to encapsulate your strengths and yet fit into the intercontinental matrix our company represents.

“Third, Dr. Weaver, with our background and history, we offer you a well-tested and well-developed marketing plan. Our global marketing plan targets customers, listens to them, and spells out your company's objectives. We possess a proven strategy for producing customer growth, and we have already done the surveys and conducted the polls to determine your company's position in the worldwide marketplace. The features and benefits of your company will be promoted both uniquely as a separate entity and, too, as part and parcel of Knightly Enterprises which will offer even greater credibility, integrity, and visibility.

“Fourth, Dr. Weaver, and this is important. Knightly Enterprises, because of its size and presence in the marketplace, is at the very forefront of technology-driven companies. We always have the latest version of equipment. Our software is updated on a daily basis, our communication system continues to be outstanding, and our multi-faceted, multi-pronged, customer-relations’ programs have been rated among the top in the world.

“Fifth, Dr. Weaver, is pricing. Knightly Enterprises will evaluate your pricing monthly to see if we can increase your bottom-line profit. We will take the responsibility for checking out the competition to see what they are charging for competitive merchandise. We will evaluate all your costs and show you why one of the strengths of consolidating is a cost-savings that will immediately appear on your bottom line.

“You can see, Dr. Weaver, how working with Knightly Enterprises can benefit your company. We will not only help you organize and manage And Then Some Publishing L.L.C., but we will, as well, assume all the risks of your business. Knightly Enterprises lives in the future. All those who work with us have creative personalities. They are remarkably innovative with a long track record of accomplishment and success. Further, they thrive on change, adaptation, adjustment, and transformation.

“Do you have any questions, Dr. Weaver?”

“I understand what you are saying, Mr. Knightly,” I said without pause, “But I would really like to know what you are offering or suggesting?”

“That’s an excellent question,” he responded immediately. “What I would like to do is have several representatives from our Board of Directors make a personal visit. I would like you to have a chance to meet them in person and talk with them regarding possibilities.”

“Is that something that can happen in the near future?,” I asked.

“Well, we are a global company, and those who sit on our Board come from various parts of the world. But, because of our interest in your company, and how we feel it fits into the Knightly Enterprises amalgamation, I think we could assemble Board representatives to meet with you next week if that would fit into your schedule?”

“I think something can be worked out,” I said. “I would like to have all partners in the And Then Some Publishing L.L.C. corporation at the meeting, if that would be all right?”

“That is what we would prefer,” said Mr. Knightly. “And, I would like to be present, too, along with my Board members. I will have my secretary stay on the line to talk with you and arrange a meeting.”

“That will be fine.”

“Thank you Dr. Weaver for your time. And, thank you, too, for your interest in meeting with us. I look forward to meeting you personally.”*



* The meeting was scheduled for April 1st. It never took place, but all those concerned had a small, friendly corporate laugh — and enjoyed the joke.

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At the Museum of Hoaxes website, the title of the entry is, “The Top 100 April Fool’s Day Hoaxes of All Time.” If you haven’t read these, you’ll love them — or, if you have read them before, they offer a pleasant re-experience!

The April Fool’s Jokes website, has an incredible YouTube presentation labeled, “Best early 2008 April Fools Joke,” about Kyle Kendrick (of Philadelphia) being traded to Japan. Watch the 4-minute, 49-second video for a real treat. You will laugh along with the players. Guaranteed!

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Copyright April 1, 2009 by And Then Some Publishing L.L.C.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

A good conversationalist is not one who remembers what was said, but says what someone wants to remember.
---John Mason Brown

Day #36 - Be a good conversationalist, is the daily reminder in the delightful day-to-day guide, Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! (SMOERs): Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living, compiled by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D. There are 365 daily reminders and over 1600 quotations for the boost you need to brighten your day - every day - and uplift your spirits. Available Spring 2009. Once you read just one day, you, too, will want s'more!