Reflections on Success by Ralph Waldo Emerson

I must admit that I have not read much of Ralf Waldo Emerson's works, but after stumbling across one quoted in Charles Swindoll's book "Quest for Character," I think I just might pick up one of his books the next time I go to the library. I have heard the first four lines of this poem before, but I don't recall ever hearing the rest, so thought I'd share in case you hadn't heard it either.

My entry today is simply a copy of this excerpt by Emerson:

How do you measure success?

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better

whether by a healthy child,

a redeemed social condition,

or a job well done;

To know even one other life has breathed

because you lived ---

this is to have succeeded.

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

There is a verse in the book of James and it goes like this: "Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!"

I am so glad I am in a position where I can show mercy every day. Being a school counselor is one of the easiest jobs in the world, but it can also be one of the hardest! While we have an opportunity to show mercy every day, we also have to find a way to hold kids accountable. When students break rules, they need to have a consequence to try to teach them to not break the rules again. Occasionally something will happen that is not so black and white, and the situation can go either way- should the dean hand out punishment, or should he not?

I am fortunate to work with an insightful dean, who in these cases often lets me be the "warning light" to kids. I have the opportunity to help them understand that their behavior was questionable and give them a "second chance." Sometimes I see students who do not change their behavior and collect discipline logs as a hobby, and I get frustrated with them, but I keep trying to get through to them, somehow. I might not ever really know if anything I say is getting through to them, but on some days my gut feeling is to be merciful, and I would miss out on a blessing if I didn't listen at those moments.