Hindsight is 20/20

16 Sunday Oct 2016

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, In My Opinion

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compassion, courage, doing the right thing, economy, greed, History, human behaviour, humanity, integrity, mercy, minimum wage, oppression, poor, profit and loss, slavery, trickle-down effect

Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.

– Abe Lincoln

Looking back, most of us are relieved that slavery was abolished. How could anyone, with even an ounce of compassion, have thought it was a good idea?

But just imagine what slave owners thought and how they justified slavery during the civil war.

“What would it do to the economy if we have to pay people to work? I mean it’s not like we don’t house them or feed them or clothe them – wouldn’t they perish without us?”

Yet doing the right thing by abolishing slavery in America did not end life as we know it.

These days, there are those who work for so little pay they struggle to survive. Many are only one pay cheque away from losing everything.

“What would happen if we raised the minimum wage? I mean we need to make sure corporations make a profit so they can keep hiring. Eventually it trickles down, right?”

Will giving people living wages really collapse our economy and end life as we know it?

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

I wonder what future generations will think.

If You Want To Be A Leader

06 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, In My Opinion

≈ 19 Comments

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200 words, caring, compassion, courage, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, dignity, Do the right thing, generosity, greater good, greed, humanity, integrity, joy, justice, kindness, leadership, love, mercy, Purpose, Truth, vision, world issues

Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you. ~ David McCullough

When you have the means to make it in this world, when the pieces fall together in such a way for you to get ahead, to gain influence and power, then it’s more vital than ever for you to do what is appropriate for the greater good.

And in such a position, it is also important to be a person of integrity, someone who has their personal affairs in order, someone who is a role model for justice and compassion.

Listen to what President Obama had to say when asked what questions he’d asked of presidential candidates.

To Whom Much is Given, Much is expected

A good leader, whether the leader of a nation, or the CEO of a company, or the team lead of a crew needs to climb the mountain, not to be seen, but so (s)he can see the people, understand their circumstances and lead effectively with their best interests in mind.

What can you do today for your family, your company, your neighbourhood, your city, your cause to make it better for everyone.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

How Boring Would It Be?

24 Sunday May 2015

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, In My Opinion

≈ 33 Comments

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200 words, acceptance, caring, closed-mindedness, compassion, courage, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, differences, diversity, forgiveness, growing up, happy, health, joy, kindness, love, mercy, passion, tolerance, wisdom

“Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate. We are different precisely in order to realise our need of one another”-Desmond Tutu

How boring would it be

if I was like you and you were like me?

If we all looked the same, thought the same, and liked all the same things?

Because, I love how you challenge me and what I believe, even when it makes me angry.

I love what I learn when I struggle with you, even when it makes me cry.

I love what you teach me, about myself and the world, when you share your thoughts and life experiences.

When I am weak, you are strong and when you are weak, I am strong.

We need each other.

If you really think about it, closed-mindedness and conformity are way more threatening than diversity.

How boring would it be if I was like you and you were like me?

How would we grow?

How would we even know what we’re missing?

How would we learn about forgiveness?

Acceptance?

Compassion?

Mercy?

Wisdom?

Courage?

Kindness?

Love?

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Why would we even want, or need, to spend one single moment with each other?

I think an angel lives across the street…

04 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, My Stories

≈ 72 Comments

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angels, believe, Calgary, compassion, courage, Diana Schwenk, doing the right thing, generosity, God, goodness, Homelessness, kindness, living in the moment, love, mercy, passion, Relationships, world issues

Something very beautiful happens across the street. And it’s been happening for quite some time, long enough so that I can’t pinpoint exactly when it started.

I don’t often see them go into the apartment complex across the street.

I’ve only seen two or three enter the building over the years.

They looked as if they’d lost all hope. Their bodies bent by some unseen weight on their shoulders.

As if every drop of strength had been beaten out of them.

Dirty

unkempt

under the influence

seemingly at the end of their rope.

No, I haven’t seen many go in, but I have seen them come out.

Usually between 8:00 and 9:00AM. Sometimes just one, other times they exit in groups of two or more. Always groomed. Clean clothes. A travel coffee mug in hand. And on their backs, a backpack that I imagine is filled with their meager belongings and maybe a snack for the road. Their bodies still bent, yet maybe a little less so.

I think an angel lives across the street.

A kind soul who takes pity on those who live on the fringes of society. A loving human being who gives them shelter at night. An angel of mercy who washes their clothes and lets them have a shower. A compassionate man or woman who may even feed them breakfast before they head out for the day to face the harsh reality of their lives on the street.

The actions of this angel do not end homelessness in this cold Canadian city. These actions do not provide a permanent solution to homelessness. But to each individual person who is touched by this angel, these actions must mean the whole world.

I don’t really know what happens across the street. But I believe I am witness to something quite extraordinary. The truth is, I don’t think knowing more is even necessary.

Something tells me the benefactor across the street is not doing it for recognition or praise. That shining a light too intensely on his or her kindness would somehow ruin these beautiful acts.

I think an angel lives across the street…and that’s enough for me.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

I have marveled and wondered a lot about the activities across the street over the years. Does your neighbourhood have an angel? Can you think of a time when you witnessed an act of compassion and kindness that touched you deeply?