THE QATSPY® Inside the Leather Sports, Health & Fitness Page
By: Charles W. Boatright
Henry David Thoreau Moment- The Simple Life- What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us
My senior high school English literature teacher was a great admirer of Henry David Thoreau who actually became one of my favorite philosophers and writers, especially with his book entitled Civil Disobedience. He was a close friend of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Of all Henry David Thoreau’s quotes, four stuck out more than any others that became a major part of my philosophy, even in Engineering designing structures, as it is focused on keeping things simple.
The first is important in reducing stress-
Our life is frittered away by detail… simplify, simplify.
The second is especially applicable at the New Year-
Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.
The Third is a great means of self-evaluation and taking stock in our lives that we can do at the end of the day, especially with a gorgeous sunset to reflect on that I was able to catch at the right time on my farm in the featured image, taken on New Year’s Evening:
The third is based on life’s failures and successes that give us experience-
What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.
The fourth is a combination of two philosophers- Henry David Thoreau and President Calvin Coolidge concerning success-
Henry David Thoreau-
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.
President Calvin Coolidge
Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
Athletes can take advantage of both of these in that when an athlete is more concerned with success than the process, they are distracted and their performance is inconsistent. Some coaches even tell their athletes to let the game come to them and trust their training and never give up, and success will take care of itself. If you compare how President Coolidge described perseverance, you have a better understanding of one’s faith.
I wanted to share the first sunset of 2021 with you!