Post by Rhonda on Jan 27, 2006 22:52:16 GMT -5
JOY ALONG THE WAY
LEAf*gE AND ROOTAGE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
American President Woodrow Wilson once pointed out that "a man's
rootage is more important than his leaf*ge." What others see are the
leaves, the outside. What they can't see are the roots, the values and
principles that ground a person. Character is grown from a good system
of roots.
No one believed in the solid "rootage," the character, of President
Jimmy Carter more than his own mother, "Miss Lillian." She was aware
of her son's reputation for honesty, which had become a topic of
curiosity among many politicians and even reporters. During a 1986
speech at the University of Tennessee, Jody Powell told a story about
a television reporter who grilled Miss Lillian on this topic. "Is it
true," asked the reporter, "that your son doesn't lie? Can you tell
me he has never told a lie?"
"Well, I reckon he might have told a little white lie now and then,"
replied Miss Lillian.
The reporter spotted the opening. "I thought you said he didn't lie!"
she exclaimed. "Are you telling me that white lies aren't as bad as
black lies? Just what do you mean by a white lie?"
"Well," drawled Miss Lillian, "do you remember when you came in this
morning and I told you how nice you looked and how glad I was to see
you...?"
Jimmy Carter tried to develop a strong and principled inner life. That
is what character is about. People of character live from the inside
out. Their convictions guide their actions. Their principles govern
their lives.
People of character have both the strength and grace to give their
best to the world.
To their enemy they give forgiveness.
To an outsider, understanding.
To a friend, their heart.
To their children, a good example.
To their mates, faithfulness.
To their parents, respect.
To themselves, gentleness.
To all people, kindness.
Strong roots produce a strong character. And a strong character is
needed to give one's best to life. When the tree's roots are well
tended, the leaves will be full and healthy.
Steve Goodier
LEAf*gE AND ROOTAGE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
American President Woodrow Wilson once pointed out that "a man's
rootage is more important than his leaf*ge." What others see are the
leaves, the outside. What they can't see are the roots, the values and
principles that ground a person. Character is grown from a good system
of roots.
No one believed in the solid "rootage," the character, of President
Jimmy Carter more than his own mother, "Miss Lillian." She was aware
of her son's reputation for honesty, which had become a topic of
curiosity among many politicians and even reporters. During a 1986
speech at the University of Tennessee, Jody Powell told a story about
a television reporter who grilled Miss Lillian on this topic. "Is it
true," asked the reporter, "that your son doesn't lie? Can you tell
me he has never told a lie?"
"Well, I reckon he might have told a little white lie now and then,"
replied Miss Lillian.
The reporter spotted the opening. "I thought you said he didn't lie!"
she exclaimed. "Are you telling me that white lies aren't as bad as
black lies? Just what do you mean by a white lie?"
"Well," drawled Miss Lillian, "do you remember when you came in this
morning and I told you how nice you looked and how glad I was to see
you...?"
Jimmy Carter tried to develop a strong and principled inner life. That
is what character is about. People of character live from the inside
out. Their convictions guide their actions. Their principles govern
their lives.
People of character have both the strength and grace to give their
best to the world.
To their enemy they give forgiveness.
To an outsider, understanding.
To a friend, their heart.
To their children, a good example.
To their mates, faithfulness.
To their parents, respect.
To themselves, gentleness.
To all people, kindness.
Strong roots produce a strong character. And a strong character is
needed to give one's best to life. When the tree's roots are well
tended, the leaves will be full and healthy.
Steve Goodier