Viewpoint

One hundred years ago today, Herbert Marcus, his sister Carrie and her husband, A.L. Neiman, opened the doors of Neiman Marcus. All four of the Marcus sons worked at the store with varying specialties. Stanley was the retailing prodigy and probably the one most of us know. For more than 15 years, Stanley Marcus also graced the Viewpoints page of the Dallas Morning News. Here is a sampling of the sage advice of "Mr. Stanley," who died at the age of 96 in 2002 as printed in the Dallas Morning News.

Sept. 22, 1987-AGING: The best antidote to aging is to stay active and retain an interest in the world. Life is too exciting and interesting to retire from it. Tackling new problems appears to be a good prescription to stimulate the brain cells and maintain good health.

Sept. 11, 1990-COMMON COLD: At the risk of sounding cold-hearted, I think there is only one thing worse than having a cold. That is being around someone who has one. The next time you have a cold, stay at home for a couple of days. An occasional day in bed is something we all need. You may not get over your cold any faster, but the rest may enable you to avoid complications and side effects. And with any luck, your associates will avoid catching it at all.

June 6, 1995-HAPPY MARRIAGES: The quality that probably is most important in happy marriages, but seldom mentioned, is a short memory. At first, that doesn't seem logical, for one could argue that an accurate memory would lead to bliss, providing recollections of successes. On the other hand a long memory also recalls past grievances, petty disputes and differences of opinions that can become constant irritants if one allows them. Those endowed with a short memory are able to forget minor slights to the ego and irritating reminders of minor spats. Nothing in life can be perfect, and a long memory that remembers everything and forgets nothing can destroy almost any marriage.

More of Mr. Stanley Marcus' viewpoints to come.

Teach Him Gently

With school starting, I wanted to share this article written by Dan Valentine and published in the Garland Daily News, August 26, 1979; submitted by Lorene Jones as a letter to the Editor. Lorene is a retired school teacher.

Teach him gently, if you can. My young son starts to school tomorrow. It’s all going to be strange and new to him for a while, and I wish you would sort of treat him gently.

You see, up to now, he’s been our little boy. He’s been boss of the back yard. His mother has always been around to repair his wounds, and I’ve always been handy to soothe his feelings. But now things are going to be different. This morning he’s going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand, and start out on a great adventure. It’s an adventure that will probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow. To live his life, in the world he will live in, requires faith and love and courage. So, world, I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know. Teach him, but gently, if you can.

He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, that all men are not true.Teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero, and that for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend.

It will take time, world, I know, but teach him if you can, that a nickel earned is of far more value than a dollar found. Teach him to learn to lose, and to enjoy winning. Steer him away from envy, it you can, and teach him the secret of quiet laughter. Let him learn quickly that the bullies are the easiest people to lick.

Teach him if you can, the wonder of books, but also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on a green hillside.

In school, teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong. Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough people.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is getting on the band-wagon. Teach him to listen to all men, but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen on truth and take only the good that comes through.

Teach him, it you can, how to laugh when he is sad. Teach him there is no shame in tears. Teach him there can be glory in failure, and despair in success. Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness. Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidders, but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul. Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob, and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.

Teach him gently, world, but don’t coddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel Let him have the courage to be impatient. Let him have sublime faith in himself, because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind. This is a big order world, but see what you can do. He's such a a fine little fellow, my son!

FRIEND

I recently visited with a long time friend who had moved out of town. As we shared “The Happenings” in our life since she had moved, it was like we had never been apart. We started our conversation right where we had left off months ago. So what is a friend? A person with

whom you dare to be yourself.

Thoreau said: “A friend is someone with whom you can think out loud.”

A friend is someone near or far away,
You don’t have to see them everyday;
A closeness, a thought you might say,
A oneness now and forever may,
Unite the two as one.
Even tho time passes you just
Know your friend is someone you can trust
Your wealth, your health, your life if must.
You might disagree, you might fuss,
But a true friend is forever.

Emerson wrote: “The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand , nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him.”

Proverbs 17:17 " A Friend loves at all times."

A Chinese proverb wisely points out: There are plenty of acquaintances, but very few real friends

Invisible Power

The trees are still, the grass barely sways,
But you go singing & whirling away
The clouds are immobile, no kite in the sky,
But you are turning around on high.
You must have a playmate all your own
Out in the field there quite alone,
That gives you energy to pump and drill,
For I see no wind to turn your wheel.

A windmill out in the field, yet no apparent wind, whirling away. It must have an

INVISIBLE SOURCE OF POWER.

I remember something my mother use to say to my father when he asked for more sugar for his coffee. She would say, “Just stir up what’s already in your cup.”

MAYBE THAT’S IT!

When we get overly tired or discouraged we forget or underestimate the marvelous ability God has already given us. God does not hold us responsible for our actions, only our faithfulness.
We can start each day cheerfully & bravely because there is something else that is “DAILY.”
It is the continuous sufficient grace of the One whose strength is made perfect in weakness.

IN ACCEPTANCE LIES PEACE1

A Rare Gift

Taken from the First Baptist Church, Sachse news letter dated Oct. 26, 1999 .

Wishing to encourage her young son’s progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. While they were waiting for it to begin, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked NO ADMITTANCE. When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her boy was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard picking out, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.“. At that moment the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy’s ear, “Don’t quit, keep playing.” Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderful experience . The audience was mesmerized. That’s the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try out best, but the results aren’t exactly graceful flowing music. But with THE HAND OF THE MASTER, our life’s work truly can be beautiful. Feel His loving arms around you., and He’ll always be there to love and guide you on to great things.

A RARE GIFT
Put your hand in God’s and walk free
For many this is hard to see.
To accept His will and not our own
To share the joy we have known.
To enjoy life in all its’ phases
To love all men in all places.
This world would be a better place
If God’s equality we would face.
Love mercy, do justly, walk humbly with God
So others may follow where you have trod.
The Bible is a guiding torch
Straight and narrow is the course.
Pray often to our God, let us talk
And know that He does beside us walk.
Better still, a time of quiet
To listen and be guided by it.

Extreme Makeover

Too often we are caught up in the rush & bustle of a busy life with many competing interest. Each day there is within us, in spite of our failures, a constant urge to follow a better way. Maybe we need an Extreme Makeover.

I read a story about an incident in the life of Livingston, a missionary in Africa some years past, and it took on an added meaning for me.

Under the guidance of a native of a certain part of Africa, Livingston was cutting across country new to him. After traveling for sometime, he began to have some concern about the way and voiced his concern to his guide who told him, “There is no road, I am the way.” Just as Livingston had to have faith in the guide’s way, so we have to have faith in our way.

For us, as Christians, there is no way except CHRIST’S WAY. It reminds us that dependence upon Christ is the condition not only for service, but also for continued life. It means waiting in faith at times.

Let go. Let God
Every good and perfect gift
Comes from up above.
Lo the giver is the greatest gift
The verb and noun of love.
No pleasure is too particular
No concern too great or small
For the one who names each starry host
And counts each bird that falls.
He keeps our tears in a bottle
Till the day when he'll wipe them all away.
Our hope is more sure than the sunshine
Our proof is the empty grave.
Lord, I want to love you
Because you first loved me.
Lord, I want to live like you,
Will you live in me.
David Mitchell

Wedding Bliss

Bill & I just returned from Salisbury, Maryland where we attended the wedding of Josh (our last grandchild to get married). After the excitement of the wedding, we went to Ocean City (a resort on the Atlantic Ocean) for a day of relaxation. We were sitting on the beach watching the waves and listening to the sound they made as they rolled to shore. It seemed calm & peaceful and then a big wave came crashing in and the sound made a roar in our ears. Just as the tide rolls in and then recedes, I thought about the ups & downs & adjustments that newly married couples usually have. It is a time to keep communications open with each other and with God. A God who controls the oceans and will keep your lives steady & calm.

THE SURF
I hear the rumble of your strength,
As you pound the beach.
I see your rolling, roaring waves,
That never cease.
You sound angry and fierce,
As the waves roll,
But your constant voice does lull,
And calm my soul.
So, I think you have a gentle heart,
That likes to tease,
You’re really just a thousand leaves,
Rustling in the breeze.