Seven Pages of Life Sample Daily Record Seven Pages of Life Wednesday, September 11, 2002 Name: Jonathan Q. Smith About the Day: I awoke late this morning to find the sun flooding through my bedroom window. After yesterday's rain, the shrubs outside the window looked clean and refreshed, their leaves glistening with morning moisture, tiny drops of water clinging and catching the light like miniature diamonds. Somehow, I knew that this was going to be a great day! 1. Enrich the Mind: I've been reading a translation of The Art of War by R. L. Wing. It is interesting that a work written some 2,500 years ago could have so much application in today's world. Mr. Wing provides a literal translation which he then relates to the needs of today's leaders. I remain impressed that, despite it's title, the "art" is to win without fighting and to continuously act in a highly moral and ethical manner. 2. Attend the Body: My wife and I took a long walk right after breakfast. We walked along the river enjoying the view and stepping it off at a pretty good pace. Our chiropractor told us some time ago that walking was the best exercise for people of our age...no danger of bone and muscle damage as there is in jogging. We're trying for a three-mile walk three times a week. We met Sam Donnigan about midway of our walk and stopped to chat with him for a few minutes. He's very lonely now that his wife is gone but he is soon to relocate to live near his son in Portland. That will help. 3. Feed the Spirit: Today was my day to deliver meals on wheels to some of the shut-in's in our town. It is quite a program that not only provides balanced nourishment to people but also makes the volunteers feel like they're doing something worthwhile. I always finish my deliveries with a feeling of satisfaction...reaching out to help, yet, being helped by those you're helping. Most of the clients are elderly and some are very articulate founts of wisdom! I'm always impressed by Gladys Martin who, although house- bound, is writing her third novel...neither of the first two made the best- seller list but both enjoyed respectable sales. 4. Heed the Past: No comment today except to wish that those behind some citizen intiatives would fully consider the impact of their proposals. The last time around, a poorly structured populist initiative passed and resulted in an annual loss of $1.5 million to our town. 5. Live the Present: Hey, live's a hoot! My plans for the day were totally and pleasantly disrupted by a visit from our daughter and our two grandkids. It was more fun than weeding the garden. 6. Create the Future: As a result of my concern over the initiative process, I made a couple calls this afternoon and it appears that we may be able to support a pre- election, administrative review of initiatives so the electorate can be better informed when they vote. There will be a meeting next week and we're getting the Lt. Governor to come to talk with us. 7. Celebrate Success: Today was a total celebration what with the grandkids here. I ordered in pizza for dinner...not heart healthy, I'll admit, but kid appealing it is; even to kids my age. Copyright © 2002 by Clark Crouch. All rights reserved.