Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Charles Schulz Philosophy

There's an e-mail making the rounds that I like very much. The author wrote, "When I was in high school and early college years, we used to base our Sunday School lessons on Charlie Brown. There are many parallels between the Christ story and Charlie, and I think Mr. Schulz must have been a great practicing Christian to have designed his comic character so well.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. By the time you get to the end, the message will be clear."


1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prizes.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The point is, none of us remembers the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields, but the applause dies down, awards tarnish, and achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


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 five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?


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 simply are the ones who care the most.

Thank you, Dianna, for including me on your distribution list for this one.

8 comments:

Craig Peihopa said...

well said Goldenrod. A post I needed to absorb today. Thank you.

Goldenrod said...

You're very welcome. I think sometimes, Craig, that in "our" efforts to achieve acclaim, we lose sight of what is REALLY important.

Chuck said...

Great visit to the past! Thanks. I recall a young man who came to our church 4 decades ago and presented "The Gospel According to Charles Schulz." It was a very impressive,worthwhile, and meaningful evening. (Unfortunately, according to snopes.com, the "quiz" is wrongly attributed to Schulz.)

Goldenrod said...

In my opinion, snopes.com are a bunch of party poopers! Why would they want to choose this particular parade to rain on?

Anonymous said...

Excellent post. Puts things in perspective for sure.

Steve

Tammy said...

Have read this a few times since you posted it...good stuff to be reminded of. :)

Goldenrod said...

As I said to Craig - or as I might have failed to include, Tammy and David, we can allow ourselves to get so bogged down in details and fact-checking that the crux of what's ultimately important gets lost. More's the pity!

I'll probably come back to this post more than a few times down the road if only to remind mySELF of what the perspective should be!!

Thank you for your comments. :)

Goldenrod said...

Not "David" ... "STEVE"!! Sorry, Steve. Somehow or another, the name "David" keeps appearing in my mind whenever I think of you. I'll try not to make that mistake again. :(