Diplomacy is the art of saying, 'Nice doggie,' until you can find a rock.
Will Rogers (1879-1935)
I have often been in the 'Nice doggie' position of trying to defang an attacker before they had the time for a good bite. Words are my weapons, of reason, since I dislike the idea of violence as a treatment for what I view as a kind of temporary insanity on their part. Mad dogs are usually mad for a reason, if I am not the cause of their madness, I am not instantly threatened by it.
That does not mean I would not defend myself, if need be, but my nature requires trying a gentler touch than a stone, flung in panic. A diplomat uses well chosen words to get a point across, often without seeming to be doing so.
Some snapping dogs can be gentled, some only need to see the rock before backing down from an attack, other's require more force. I just look for the thorn in their paw, when other people are seeking for stones.
THINK ABOUT IT
LET IT GROW
THEN DECIDE
This poem was written by a terminally ill young girl in a New York Hospital. It was sent by a medical doctor. Make sure to read what is in the closing statement AFTER THE POEM.
SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids, on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain, slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.
Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask How are you? Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
With the next hundred chores, running through your head?
You'd better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.
Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow?"
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die,
Cause you never had time, to call and say,"Hi"
You'd better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere,
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift.... Thrown away.
Life is not a race. Do take it slower.
Hear the music. Before the song is over.
FORWARDED E-MAILS ARE TRACKED TO OBTAIN THE TOTAL COUNT. Dear All: PLEASE pass this mail on to everyone you know -even to those you don't know!
It is the request of a special girl who will soon leave this world due to cancer. This young girl has 6 months left to live, and as her dying wish, she wanted to send a letter telling everyone to live their life to the fullest, since she never will.
She'll never make it to prom, graduate from high school, or get married and have a family of her own.
By you sending this to as many people as possible, you can give her and her family a little hope, because with every name that this is sent to, The American Cancer Society will donate 3 cents per name to her treatment and recovery plan.
One guy sent this to 500 people! So I know that we can at least send it to 5 or 6 (just think, it could be you one day). It's not even your money, just your time!
PLEASE PASS ON AS A LAST REQUEST
Dr. Dennis Shields, Professor Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology 1300 Morris Park Avenue
Bronx, New York 10461
