May 21, 2025

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BG’s Positively Speaking

Run Your Own Race

I lost count years ago of the number of times I was told “Life is not a sprint but a marathon, you need to pace yourself accordingly.” I didn’t take much notice of them, except that they confirmed life was indeed a race. In those days I was a perfect example of a ‘Type A’ personality, running from one task or project to another at breakneck speed. I gave little thought as to whether all the energy I was using was getting me closer to fulfilling my personal goals and dreams. In those days I thought that the more things I did the sooner I would win the race. It was a long time before I realized that I was exercising ‘Wrong Thinking’ and that you should never believe everything you think. Just because you thought it, doesn’t make it so.

Once I put ‘Right Thinking’ into practice, I saw that much of my time and energy had been spent on running an employers race. I had lost focus on what I wanted in life and spent all my time and energy on building some other persons dream. Now, I am not saying it’s wrong to run part of the race alongside another person, it’s when you give every thing to the other person that you have entered into ‘Wrong Thinking’.

In life we are faced with asking ourselves “Is this really the direction I want my life to travel in?”. How we answer will determine the level of commitment we have to our own dreams and ambitions. At this time we need the strength to resist the temptation to take the ‘easy’ way, placing all our future in the hands of another’s ambition.. This is when we must learn to…

Run Our Own Race

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Editors Quote Book

“The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid,
but he who conquers that fear”

—Nelson Mandela

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Gracie Allan’s
Roast Beef Recipe

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Rear View Mirror

May 14, 1948: . The State Of Israel is born. The following day, the armies of four Arab countries; Egypt, Syria, Trans-Jordan and Iraq, entered what had been British Mandatory Palestine, launching the war. Saudi Arabia sent a military contingent to operate under Egyptian command; Yemen declared war but did not take military action. In a cablegram to the UN Secretary General the League of Arab States gave reasons for its intervention, “….. to restore law and order and to prevent disturbances….. spreading into their territories and to check further bloodshed”. After a year of fighting a ceasefire was declared and temporary borders were established. The United Nations estimated that more than 700,000 Palestinians were displaced during the conflict from what would become Israel.

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Unexpected Check Up

During my check-up I asked the Doctor, “Do you think I’ll live a long and healthy life then?”

He replied, “I’m not so sure, somehow Mercury is in Uranus right now.”

I said, “I’m not a fan of that astrology nonsense!”

He replied, “Neither am I, however my thermometer just broke.”

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The 911 Call

There was a guy who lived in a small house on the corner of 4th Avenue. He had a small shed in his backyard where he kept gardening tools. One day, he saw smoke coming out of the roof of the shed. In a panic he called 911. They answered and said “This is Joe, what is the emergency?”

“My shed is on fire!!!” Joe said, “Don’t panic help is on the way…where do you live?”The guy said, “IN A HOUSE, NOW HURRY!!” Joe calmly responded back, “How are we supposed to get there?”

The guy answered back, “DUH!!! A BIG RED TRUCK!”

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Trivia Quiz

(Click Question For Answer)

 

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Your Horoscope

For Amusement Only

Aries Mar. 21 – Apr. 19: Welcome visitors with open arms. They are not there to make your life miserable… they only want your company.

Taurus Apr. 20 – May 20: A personality conflict can result in hurt feelings. Be more sensitive toward others. Remember your manners.

Gemini May 21 – June 20: A great week lies ahead! Don’t give in to the lure of lazy afternoons. Get with it!

Cancer June 21 – July 22: Fish for answers. What you are looking for may be right under your nose. Someone else can see what you cannot.

Leo July 23 – Aug 22: Someone really cares about you. Do you have the good sense to recognize it? Life may be passing you by.

Virgo Aug 23 – Sept 22: Spread a little sunshine into the life of another. Give more freely of yourself and your time. You will be amazed at how much you will learn.

Libra Sept 23 – Oct 22: Steer clear of trouble… you’ll know it when you see it. Don’t become embroiled in the private concerns of others.

Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 21: A different view can give you a new perspective on an old problem. The solution will become clear when you refocus.

Sagittarius Nov 22 – Dec 21: A young person confesses to you. Don’t be too hard on him. He needs more guidance than recrimination.

Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 19: Don’t let go of your dreams. Keep pushing and working towards them. While they may not all come true, you will be much wiser.

Aquarius Jan 20 – Feb 18: You may not need as much help as you think. A serious dearth of self confidence is at the root of your problem. You can do it.

Pisces Feb 19 – Mar 20: Office politics may be getting in the way of production. Set the record straight, draw lines and get on with the work at hand.

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Now That’s A Workout

Heavy footwear is usually considered uncomfortable, but for Zhang Fuxing weight is definitely not a problem. The 51-year-old from Tangshan, China, spends every morning walking in a pair of iron shoes weighing 405 kilograms.

For over seven years, Zhang Fuxing has spent his morning exercising on a pair of impossible shoes made of heavy iron blocks. The factory worker designed and created the bizarre footwear himself by welding pieces of iron 30-cm-long and 20-cm-wide. At first, the shoes weighed only 70 kilograms, but as his workout intensified he kept adding more weight. Now his shoes are 40-cm-high and weigh a whopping 405 kg, about seven times his own body weight. It seems impossible that a person could even lift their feet off the ground wearing such weights, but Zhang says he usually manages to walk around a dozen meters in 20 minutes, every morning. He keeps the unusual shoes in his courtyard and says they are so heavy he isn’t even worried they might be stolen.

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Heard In Court

Q: How old is your son, the one living with you.
A: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can’t remember which.
Q: How long has he lived with you?
A: Forty-five years
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Q: And where was the location of the accident?
A: Approximately milepost 499.
Q: And where is milepost 499?
A: Probably between milepost 498 and 500.
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LAWYER: Now sir, I’m sure you are an intelligent and honest man–
WITNESS: Thank you. If I weren’t under oath, I’d return the compliment.

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The Handy Man Effect

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Careful What You Say

“If there are any idiots in the room, will they please stand up”, said the upset teacher.

After a long silence, Johnny rose to his feet.

“Now then Johnny, why do you consider yourself an idiot?”, inquired the teacher with a sneer.

“Well, actually I don’t,” said Johnny, “but I hate to see you standing up there all by yourself.”

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This Week In Canadian History

May 20, 1932 – Amelia Erhart Departs Newfoundland

May 20, 1932, Amelia Earhart departed from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, as part of her historic attempt to fly around the world. This stop in Newfoundland marked one of the key takeoff points for transatlantic aviation at the time. Earhart’s departure drew local attention and symbolized her determination to push the boundaries of flight. From there, she continued eastward, demonstrating both courage and pioneering spirit in the face of great uncertainty.

May 23, 1914 – Komagata Maru Arrives in Vancouver

The Komagata Maru, carrying 376 passengers from British India, arrived in Vancouver on May 23, 1914. The passengers, mostly Sikhs, were denied entry due to discriminatory immigration laws. The ship was forced to return to India, where a tragic clash with British forces followed. This event remains a stark reminder of Canada’s exclusionary immigration policies in the early 20th century and has has been a reminder of how Canada now embraces and accepts diversity.

Amelia Earhart Departs on Solo Flight Across Atlantic

 

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The Last Word

Do you realize that if it wasn’t for electricity…
we would all be watching TV in candlelight.

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