These are the times
When we live inside our minds
With our hands in the air
There’s voices everywhere

In the slipstream,
It’s like a daydream
These are the days when we’re dancing through the haze

THERE IS A CURVE CALLED FAILURE….
A LOOP CALLED CONFUSION…
SPEED BUMPS CALLED FRIENDS…
RED LIGHTS CALLED ENEMIES…
CAUTION LIGHTS CALLED FAMILY…
YOU WILL HAVE FLATS CALLED JOBS BUT…
IF YOU HAVE A SPARE CALLED DETERMINATION…
AN ENGINE CALLED PERSEVERANCE…
INSURANCE CALLED FAITH…
A DRIVER CALLED JESUS…
YOU WILL MAKE IT TO A PLACE CALLED SUCCESS!

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The Picture I used in my previous post:

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Sometimes when I think about the future. I get really nervous. But, Then I remember who is really in control. Things happen for a reason.
THERE IS A CURVE CALLED FAILURE…. so we can get back to reality and know that we’re only human. A LOOP CALLED CONFUSION… not knowing exactly where to go and do is okay. Sometimes we just have to be confused in order to reach reason. SPEED BUMPS CALLED FRIENDS… friends may stop us from getting to our goals. There are people out there who are jealous and envy the things they do not have. RED LIGHTS CALLED ENEMIES… Those who want to get in our way of success. These enemies may have power and may not. But, there will always be people who will test your limits. CAUTION LIGHTS CALLED FAMILY… who are there to guide you in whatever you chose to do. This is a voice of reason, and a foundation of looking out for their loved one’s interest. YOU WILL HAVE FLATS CALLED JOBS BUT… IF YOU HAVE A SPARE CALLED DETERMINATION… sometimes we get a job or is close to it and may not have the ability to hold on. Or maybe getting burnt out while working for a company. But, there will always be determination for success. AN ENGINE CALLED PERSEVERANCE… getting through life INSURANCE CALLED FAITH… knowing that we serve a might God. A DRIVER CALLED JESUS… who will always be there with us on [my] road to success. He is my foundation and my strength the One where I know – believes in me and is watching out for me YOU WILL MAKE IT TO A PLACE CALLED SUCCESS! Something we all desire. I think in life big or small we reach our successes. Sometimes we may not know it and take it for granted but, it’s very important to sit back and relax – thinking about our goals and aspirations.

I just love allegorical maps like these, if only for their delightfully straightforward semiotics. This map of the Road to Success depicts an actual road, winding up to success signified by a lyre.

This (literally) lyrical prize is achieved by first entering the Gate of Opportunity. People are running through, but some have already settled in to the sit-down life of ease and comfort in what looks like the Beer Garden of Bohemianism.

Some manage to pass by those delights to check in to the Hotel Know It All, because they hold to mottoes such as Nobody can tell me, or I don’t need to practice, or I’m a born genius, or yet: I don’t need system.

Similarly misguided cries are heard on the patio of the Mutual Admiration Society: You’re the Hit of the Age, You’ll Set the World on Fire, You’re a Wonder My Boy, or (my favourite): Caruso Can’t Touch You.

Those who avoid those three establishments of ill repute might still fall victim to the deep, dark well of Illiteracy, or the spinning, disorienting wheel of Conceit. A select few manage to board the train called Right System at the Railroad Station.

That doesn’t stop some from running along the rail track towards Success, only to succumb to the ugly hand of Vices, the spinning fan of Bad Habits (blowing its victims towards Oblivion), or the pitfall of Bad Reputation. Others fall prey to Charlatanism, or get tangled up in the webs of Jealousy and Do It Tomorrow.

Those who overcome all these perils will enter the gates of System. But while the train crosses a bridge across the river Failure, those on foot are threatened by the Cauldron of Misrepresentation, and tempted by Short Cuts.

Some do manage to wade across the river to the other side, but there must overcome Bad Temper, Carelessness, Shiftlessness and Bad Memory. Then there’s Lack of Preparation, a giant rock which the train can tunnel through effortlessly, while the surviving pedestrians must trek across it.

Sprees, Laziness and Bad Business Methods then still threaten them, until at last they come before two gates, the one for Weak Morals remaining forever closed, the Gate of Ideals open to the train (and some on foot).

Conclusion: you can be successful without adopting the Right System, but your chances are far smaller. And you’ll have to make a lot bigger effort to get there.

Many thanks to Varun Chablani for sending in this map, found here on Moonbuggy. The origin of the map is not referred to, but judging by the artwork (and the moralising tone – not to mention the reference to Caruso), it’s early 20th century.

Name: Tim Newlin
Site: http://www.timtim.com

Snoopy from the ‘Peanuts’ comic strip was created by Charles Schulz. Schulz had a philosophy about life that came out in his work and can best be summed up with the following quiz. Try this out and you’ll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five men’s single’s winners of the Wimbledon Tennis Championship.

3. Name the last 4 winners of the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won a Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last six Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last five years worth of MTV’s Most Promising New Artist Award.

Most of us don’t score well on this quiz. Why? – because most of us forget yesterday’s headlines. These are no second-rate achievers. They are or were the best in their fields. But the applause fades away and achievements are forgotten.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!

5. Think of four people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier – right? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care the most. So, be yourself – everyone else is taken!

Charles Schulz created the Peanuts Comic Strip back in the early 1950’s at the same time that Mort Walker created the Beetle Bailey comic strip. Mort and Charles became good friends and often saw each other at dinner parties and gatherings of other comic artists. Timtim visited Mort Walker’s studio in Connecticut before Christmas. He is still producing Beetle Bailey comic strips!