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June 11, 2010

Deep Thoughts from Jack Handey

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jon Myrick @ 1:05 pm

The first thing was, I learned to forgive myself. Then I told myself, “go ahead and do whatever you want, it’s okay by me.”

Broken promises don’t upset me. I just think, why did they believe me?

When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges.

If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.

To me, it’s a good idea to always carry two sacks of something when you walk around. That way, if anybody says, “Hey, can you give me a hand?” You can say, “Sorry, got these sacks.”

We tend to scoff at the beliefs of the ancients. But we can’t scoff at them personally, to their faces, and this is what annoys me.

Contrary to what most people say, the most dangerous animal in the world is not the lion or the tiger or even the elephant. It’s a shark riding on an elephant’s back, just trampling and eating everything they see.

I can’t stand cheap people. It makes me real mad when someone says something like, “Hey, when are you going to pay me that $100 you owe me?” or “Do you have that $50 you borrowed?” Man, quit being so cheap!

Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis.

One thing kids like is to be tricked. For instance, I was going to take my nephew to Disneyland, but instead I drove him to an old burned-out warehouse. “Oh no,” I said, “Disneyland burned down.” He cried and cried, but I think that deep down he thought it was a pretty good joke. I started to drive over to the real Disneyland, but it was getting pretty late.

The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face.

Is there anything more beautiful than a beautiful, beautiful flamingo, flying across in front of a beautiful sunset? And he’s carrying a beautiful rose in his beak, and also he’s carrying a very beautiful painting with his feet. And also, you’re drunk.

I believe in making the world safe for our children, but not our children’s children, because I don’t think children should be having sex.

If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is, “God is crying.” And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is, “Probably because of something you did.”

Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what if I was an ant and she fell on me. Then it wouldn’t seem quite so funny.

To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there’s no music, no choreography and the dancers hit each other.

I hope if dogs ever take over the world and they choose a king, they don’t just go by size, because I bet there are some Chihuahuas with some good ideas.

Instead of having “answers” on a math test, they should just call them “impressions,” and if you got a different “impression,” so what, can’t we all be brothers?

Probably the earliest fly swatters were nothing more than some sort of striking surface attached to the end of a long stick.

I wish I would have a real tragic love affair and get so bummed out that I’d just quit my job and become a bum for a few years, because I was thinking about doing that anyway.

I think a good gift for the President would be a chocolate revolver. And since he’s so busy, you’d probably have to run up to him real quick and hand it to him.

Maybe in order to understand mankind we have to look at that word itself. MANKIND. Basically, it’s made up of two separate words “mank” and “ind.” What do these words mean? It’s a mystery and that’s why so is mankind.

The crows were calling his name, thought Caw.

Whenever you read a good book, it’s like the author is right there, in the room, talking to you, which is why I don’t like to read good books.

Don’t ever get your speedometer confused with your clock, like I did once, because the faster you go the later you think you are.

Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don’t know what your rights are, or who the person is you’re talking to. Then, on the way out, slam the door.

Let’s be honest: isn’t a lot of what we call tap-dancing really just nerves?

I’d like to see a nature film where an eagle swoops down and pulls a fish out of a lake, and then maybe he’s flying along, low to the ground, and the fish pulls a worm out of the ground. Now that’s a documentary.

One thing a computer can do that most humans can’t is be sealed up in a cardboard box and sit in a warehouse.

I bet the sparrow looks at the parrot and thinks, yes, you can talk, but listen to yourself!

Here’s a good tip for when you go to the beach: a sand dollar may look like a nice cracker that someone left, but trust me, they don’t taste like it.

Somebody told me how frightening it was how much topsoil we are losing each year, but I told that story around the campfire and nobody got scared.

Most of the time it was probably real bad being stuck down in a dungeon. But some days, when there was a bad storm outside, you’d look out your little window and think, “boy, I’m glad I’m not out in that.”

Many people do not realize that the snowshoe can be used for a great many things besides walking on snow. For instance, it can be used to carry pancakes from the stove to the breakfast table. Also, it can be used to carry uneaten pancakes from the table to the garbage. Finally, it can be used as a kind of strainer, where you force pancakes through the strings to see if a piece of gold got in a pancake somehow.

If they ever come up with a Swashbuckling School, I think one of the courses should be Laughing, Then Jumping Off Something.

When you’re riding in a time machine way far into the future, don’t stick your elbow out the window, or it’ll turn into a fossil.

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

A good way to threaten somebody is to light a stick of dynamite. Then you call the guy and hold the burning fuse up to the phone. “Hear that?” you say. “That’s dynamite, baby.”

I bet when the Neanderthal kids would make a snowman, someone would always end up saying, “Don’t forget the thick, heavy brows.” Then they would all get embarrassed because they remembered they had the big hunky brows too, and they’d get mad and eat the snowman.

Fear can sometimes be a useful emotion. For instance, let’s say you’re an astronaut on the moon and you fear that your partner has been turned into Dracula. The next time he goes out for the moon pieces, wham!, you just slam the door behind him and blast off. He might call you on the radio and say he’s not Dracula, but you just say, “Think again, bat man.”

I wish I had a Kryptonite cross, because then you could keep both Dracula and Superman away.

I don’t think I’m alone when I say I’d like to see more and more planets fall under the ruthless domination of our solar system.

May 4, 2010

Dr. Seuss Says

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jon Myrick @ 6:06 pm

A person’s a person, no matter how small.
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.
I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living; it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.
Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.
I meant what I said, and I said what I meant.
An elephant’s faithful, one hundred percent.  Horton Hatches the Egg
Young cat, if you keep your eyes open enough, oh, the stuff you would learn! The most wonderful stuff!  Seuss-isms
I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.  The Lorax
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It’s not.  The Lorax

February 1, 2010

The Power of Focus

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jon Myrick @ 11:51 am

I’ve been feeling unfocused lately. There is a world full of opportunities out there, and sometimes one can be so open to myriad possibilities that energy is diffused and nothing seems to happen.

Finite energy must be channeled to concentrate power on one objective. To achieve the greatest impact, we apply all of our force to a single point. This is a basic military axiom, and is equally applicable to personal life. The issue is where to apply that energy.

One can become paralyzed by too many choices. This is exemplified by émigrés from command economies who came to the US, and were overwhelmed by all of the products available in American stores. They were used to bare shelves, and waiting in line for hours to obtain one serving of low-grade meat. When faced with multiple options for the first time, they had no idea how or what to choose.

A creative coach recently asked me two powerful questions which helped me see where to focus. The first was, “Where is God in this situation?” Of course He is right here waiting for me to recognize Him. It reminded me of Peter, who had faith to step out of the boat when he saw Christ standing on the Sea of Galilee. Peter took a couple of steps forward until he took his eyes off the Master, looked down at his surroundings, and began to sink in fear. (Matt 14:22-31).

Likewise, when I focus on God the Creator, my priorities are aligned, and I move in the right direction. When I focus on circumstances, things get out of alignment, energy is diffused, and doubt comes in. Situations may seem needful, even urgent, but the best choice is to keep looking up, not allowing doubt and fear to creep in.

The second powerful question was “What do you know?” As Pastor Randy Remington says, I know there is a God, and I am not Him. I also know that God is good; he has good plans for me, and my job is to trust Him, especially when I don’t know exactly what He is doing (which is pretty much all of the time:-).

I have limited perspective; God is omniscient. He gives enough light to take the next step, not to see the whole path ahead. It only makes sense to trust the One who not only knows the way, but is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

January 27, 2010

Musings from Mitch Hedberg

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jon Myrick @ 9:00 pm

When someone hands you a flyer, it’s like they’re saying here you throw this away.

Rice is great if you’re really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something.

My belt holds my pants up, but the belt loops hold my belt up. I don’t really know what’s happening down there. Who is the real hero?

The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how good I get, I’ll never be as good as a wall.

I don’t have a girlfriend. But I do know a woman who’d be mad at me for saying that.

I would imagine that if you could understand Morse code, a tap dancer would drive you crazy.

I haven’t slept for ten days, because that would be too long.

I’m against picketing, but I don’t know how to show it.

You know when they have a fishing show on TV? They catch the fish and then let it go. They don’t want to eat the fish, they just want to make it late for something.

I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re goin’, and hook up with them later.

I wanted to buy a candle holder, but the store didn’t have one. So I got a cake.

I bought a seven-dollar pen because I always lose pens and I got sick of not caring.

Is a hippopotamus a hippopotamus, or just a really cool Opotamus?

My friend asked me if I wanted a frozen banana. I said ‘No, but I want a regular banana later, so… yeah.’

I had a stick of CareFree gum, but it didn’t work. I felt pretty good while I was blowing that bubble, but as soon as the gum lost its flavor, I was back to pondering my mortality.

Every book is a children’s book if the kid can read!

This shirt is dry clean only. Which means… it’s dirty.

I think foosball is a combination of soccer and shish kabobs.

I love blackjack. But I’m not addicted to gambling. I’m addicted to sitting in a semi circle.

Dogs are forever in the push up postion.

I wish I could play little league now. I’d be way better than before.

I’d like to get four people who do cart wheels very good, and make a cart.

I wear a necklace, cause I wanna know when I’m upside down.

Y’know, you can’t please all the people all the time… and last night, all those people were at my show.

I saw a human pyramid once. It was very unnecessary.

I wish my name was Brian because maybe sometimes people would misspell my name and call me Brain. That’s like a free compliment and you don’t even gotta be smart to notice it.

I know a lot about cars, man. I can look at any car’s headlights and tell you exactly which way it’s coming.

I can whistle with my fingers, especially if I have a whistle.

My sister wanted to be an actress, but she never made it. She does live in a trailer. She got halfway. She’s an actress, she just never gets called to the set.

I used to be a hot-tar roofer. Yeah, I remember that… day.

December 15, 2009

2009 Myrick Family Christmas Letter

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jon Myrick @ 11:06 am

This has been a year of big changes for us. You may see the highlights here.

October 14, 2009

The Power of Choice

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jon Myrick @ 8:11 pm

The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice.

- George Eliot

September 23, 2009

10 Important Lists to Write Before You Die

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jon Myrick @ 10:17 am

Here’s a thought-provoking exercise that has potential for creating connections, and isn’t as morbid as it sounds.

1. 10 people who most helped me in my life. – each of us meet people as we go through life, many of them help us or have an influence upon us. Sometimes we may not realize their influence at the time. Quite often we forget or do not get a chance to thank them. This list is an opportunity to acknowledge those people and to express your thanks.
2. 10 most memorable places I visited – It does not matter whether it is your neighbor’s yard, the top of a mountain or an ancient site, just list the 10 places that have been most memorable to you.
3. 3 best things I ever made – Some of us are more creative than others, for the less creative among us it is easy to forget things we made. For the more creative perhaps it can be difficult to choose our top three. It does not matter whether it is simply a shelf you put up or a flower garden you planted or maybe a meal you cooked. Give yourself recognition for having contributed in some way.
4. 5 best days in my life – Some days may clearly stand out, a wedding day for example or children’s births. Give yourself the time to reflect upon 5 days that really meant something for you.
5. 10 best friends I ever had – Some of your friends may still be with you, others may now be far away and some may, sadly, no longer be alive. This is an opportunity to recall those friends, say what their friendship has meant for you and thank them for their friendship.
6. 5 best journeys I ever made – In some ways this may link to number 2 but sometimes not. After all, it is often said that it is better to travel than to arrive. This is an chance to recall those journeys that made an impression upon you, maybe because they were adventurous or maybe because of the people you travelled with or maybe the things you saw on the way.
7. 10 things that gave me most pleasure – We all have things, things given to us as gifts, things we buy ourselves and things we find. Some of these things just come and go and are forgotten about but other things make an impression upon us for some reason, maybe their beauty, maybe their cost, maybe because of the circumstances in which they came into our possession. Here is a chance to identify the best things you ever had and to say why.
8. 5 best books/movies/TV series in my lifetime – Some people may be able to list more than 5 of course and why not? Here though try to list your top 5 and see if you can give reasons for your choice. You can pick and mix any of the art forms if you wish. This is an opportunity to acknowledge that the arts and literature can have an effect upon your life.
9. 5 best gifts anyone ever gave me – this again may link to number 7 but here we are looking at things that were given to you. There are two aspects of gifts; the gift itself and the person giving the gift. Try to recall not only the gift but also who gave it to you and why it was one of the best for you.
10. 10 Things I wish I had done but didn’t – This may seem a strange one to end with but the idea is not to get sorrowful and look at regrets or lost opportunities. This is to be a list of things that others could do well to take note so that they too do not miss out. It can also be an opportunity to express hidden dreams and talents, you never know, it may not be too late to do at least one of them!

From http://www.coachandcounsel.net

September 17, 2009

Farm Wisdom

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jon Myrick @ 2:30 pm

* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

* Words that soak into your ears are whispered…not yelled.

* Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight.

* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

* It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.

* You cannot unsay a cruel word.

* Every path has a few puddles.

* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

* The best sermons are lived, not preached.

* Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t never gonna happen anyway.

* Don’t judge folks by their relatives.

* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.

* Don’t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t botherin’ you none.

* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.

* The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’.

* Always drink upstream from the herd.

* Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

* Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.

* If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around.

* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

September 11, 2009

Mark Twain Quotes

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jon Myrick @ 4:18 pm

It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.

Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.

Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.

Never let your schoolin’ interfere with your education.

Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing.

It ain’t the parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.

Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it.

If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed.

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.

They did not know it was impossible, so they did it!

I’ve never killed a man, but I’ve read many an obituary with a great deal of satisfaction.

August 12, 2009

Ask Yourself

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jon Myrick @ 7:49 pm
  1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
  2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
  3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
  4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
  5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
  6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
  7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
  8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
  9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
  10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

(From marcandangel.com)

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