QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
Bring ideas in and entertain them royally, for one of them may be
the king.
--Mark Van Doren (1894-1972) Poet and critic
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
What a simple but grand analogy that Mark Van Doren expressed in comparing an idea to a king who should be entertained royally. Have you been in situations where you heard ideas expressed and instead of treating them "royally" you discounted them before they had a chance? I have, and usually when this happens it was because the idea was not mine or was very different from the idea I had. What narrow thinking this displays.
An idea is a seed of thought and in expressing it a person is planting it in the garden of our minds. If we water it and nurture it, it may grow into a solution to a problem, or a new way of doing things, or a brand new "something" of which no one else had thought. If we do not nurture it and instead just let it lay on the ground, it will never sprout and we will never know the possibilities it may hold.
When you hear an idea, take hold of it. Look at it, explore it, test it. Treat it as you would treat a delicate flower. Do not trample it underfoot or just cast it off. Not all seeds sprout even if we give them with the same water, light and caring. Not all seedlings grow to the same height or are as fruitful as others. But that does not mean we should not give them all an equal chance. The truth is, we do not know when we plant them which one will become the prize of our garden.
So the next time you are presented with ideas ". . . entertain them royally" for one of them may truly be the king.
Blessings and Love,
Allen Schmeltz
Copyright © 2000 Allen F. Schmeltz. All rights reserved.
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