No attribution required: The source is anonymous!

In a world filled with rampant plagiarism found everywhere from newspapers to the schoolroom, from research studies and even from our pulpits, it’s good to know you can quote from and feel free to use material from one source who will never be upset over its publication. I’m talking about Mr. or Miss Anonymous in my blog on this Tuesday, March 3, 2009. Those of us who write or teach are always searching for thoughts and ideas to help us convey the message we have in mind. Often we find some really good stuff that reflects what we want to say and we bonk ourselves on the head and ask: “Now why didn’t I think of that?” You are then faced with a dilemma. To use the material or not use the material is the first question. Also, if I do use the material, to give credit to the originator or pass it off as my own would be the next question. It is my practice to always give credit to the individual responsible for any thoughts, ideas, quotes, or stories that I use. However, I cannot say with 100% accuracy that something has never slipped through in an un-attributed way. But I do believe in giving credit where credit is due.

Quoting stuff in the public domain or from an anonymous source makes it so much easier. Today I want to share a few quotations that we do not know who originated them. Some reflect old-fashioned common sense. Others pick up on a Biblical truth or theme. But they do have something to say and just reading through them has been an encouragement to me. “A closed mind is a good thing to lose.” “A groundless rumor often covers a lot of ground.” “A good friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” “Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of what you already have.” “Going to Church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.” “Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” And finally, “The best defense for an atom bomb is to not be there when it goes off.”

Okay, I didn’t say that every one of them would be profound. However, I would guess that many of these were handed down as traditional sayings from those who thought them to be good ways to look at and deal with life. Some may have changed over time but they still cause one to pause and think. That’s what makes for a good story. One of America’s greatest storytellers passed on to his reward this past Sunday. Paul Harvey, age 90, was a one of a kind radio broadcaster whose appeal was founded in his genuineness, his down to earth manner, and his ability to connect with the common man. Finding and communicating wisdom from stories that impact ordinary people while at the same time standing up for traditional values made him an icon to his millions of listeners, and he will be missed. I love the unofficial anthem adopted by the Scottish people, “O Flower of Scotland”. There’s a lyric in it that reminds me of Paul Harvey ….“When will we see your like again?” That’s it for now and as Paul Harvey would say: “Goooooood daaay!” Have a great one! …More later.