Beech Tree News Network

Like many people. I have a calendar on my desk with a quote for each day. I enjoy reading others’ thoughts about various topics. The following quotes are unconnected, and I have included my thoughts related to each.

1.      

“Here’s the thing: the fear isn’t going away. You’ve just gotta do it anyway. One small step at a time.” – Holley Gerth

This kind of determination has helped many to get through tough times – completing one task at a time, moving toward the greater goal. I have gotten through some challenges by breaking the work down into manageable pieces, then completing one task at a time.

2.     

“I worry that we’re not getting enough of the news that we need to make informed judgments as citizens.” – Walter Cronkite

Our news coverage definitely includes many topics about local, regional, national and international events and problems; however, like Cronkite, I wonder. I believe sometimes things have been covered up and sometimes our news may have been editorialized by the reporting agency, especially at the national and international levels. My late husband once said that determining what’s newsworthy is an “awesome responsibility.”

3.     

“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” – Ronald Reagan

Reagan served as the 40th president of the United States, from 1981 to 1989. Thirty years later, this statement still has the ring of truth – even if it was meant to be humorous.

4.     

“Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

Eisenhower was right: farming is not easy. “In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a study suggesting that those in farming, fishing and forestry occupations experienced a rate of suicide that was nearly five times that of the general population” (https://nfu.org/2018/11/27/cdc-study-clarifies-data-on-farm-stress/). Our nation should appreciate and support agricultural workers as much as possible. It’s a tough 24/7 job.

5.     

“I believe that the Good Lord gave us a finite number of heartbeats and I'm damned if I'm going to use up mine running up and down a street.”  – Neil Armstrong on jogging

Following Armstrong’s death, President Obama described him as "among the greatest of American heroes—not just of his time, but of all time” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Armstrong). Although I enjoy walking - not jogging, I can see that a man who had walked on the moon might not enjoy jogging up and down a street.

6.     

“People would be amazed by the ordinary life William and I live. I do my own shopping. Sometimes, when I come away from the meat counter in my local supermarket, I worry someone will snap me with their phone. But I am determined to have a relatively normal life, and if I am lucky enough to have children, they can have one, too.” – Prince Harry

Prince Harry made this statement around 2017 during an interview. Personally, I don’t believe the royal family can lead a ‘normal’ life – at least not my understanding of ‘normal.’

7.     

“Bigotry and judgment are the height of insecurity.” – Jasmine Guy

People think differently. Honestly, we don’t even agree with family members on all topics. When someone doesn’t agree with us, we should let it go. After all, their opinions are not our responsibility.

8.    

“Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families, and good jobs for themselves. These are the just and reasonable demands of a righteous public.” – Donald Trump

Trump’s statement is true. Following this line of thought, I believe we also want affordable health care, the freedom to worship as we believe, freedom of speech, the right to protect ourselves, and the environment to travel in relative safety within our own nation.

9.     

“Most ball games are lost, not won.” – Casey Stengel

Stengel’s statement has merit, especially when the teams are well matched. In view of that, I wonder whether great athletes remember the losses better than the wins.

10. 

“New technology is not good or evil in and of itself. It's all about how people choose to use it.” – David Wong (Jason Pargin), pen name

My mother often expresses this sentiment. I believe both Wong and Mom are right on target. 

These quotes have little in common, but each caused me to think. I enjoy learning what others believe about various topics. In the end, others’ thoughts help me to clarify my beliefs.