Taking Charge of the Balloon 544.3
A man in a hot-air balloon, realizing he was lost, lowered it to shout to a fellow on the ground. "The wind’s blown me off course! Can you tell me where I am?"
The man replied, "Sure. You’re about 60 feet over this wheat field."
"You must be an engineer," the balloonist yelled back.
"I am. How’d you know?" the man said.
"Everything you told me is technically correct but of absolutely no use."
The engineer retorted, "You’re an executive, right?"
"How did you know?" the balloonist responded.
"You were drifting in no particular direction before you asked for my help, you’re still lost, and now it’s my fault."
The tale is a good metaphor for our lives. At first, all we want to do is rise as high as we can in terms of money, position, and prestige. Yet as we ascend, wind currents push us sideways. Eventually, many of us discover we’re on a very different course than we intended, a long way from the spot we took off from, and nowhere near where we hoped to end up at. So we blame the wind -- or anything else.
What we must realize is our power of choice is a steering mechanism that lets us respond to each breeze and gust. We can drift with the current or go against it. Like haphazard wind drafts, unplanned events beyond our control can affect the direction of our lives. But in the end, what we do and become is determined by our choices.
The key is to be attentive, look around, and ensure we’re going where we want to go.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
Comments
Happy (belated) Birthday Dear Good Sir, Michael Josephson!
You are truly a blessing, gifted to all mankind and the world, from Our Creator!
You Honor Our Creator & His Blessing of the Miracle of Your Life by your great, good & most honorable life's work!
Thank you for all you do for so many seen and unseen! The goodness you do & project is beyond the expression of simple words! Yet, I will attempt to tell you how thankful I am for your life...
You are an inspiration, You are the change we wish to see in the world!
Your Goodness and the most positive and selfless teachings of the truths you share,
remind us all of whom we can be, of whom we should be, of whom we all really are!
You, Good Sir, are in fact, the very definition of a Humanitarian; one who is committed to improving the lives of others.
Thank you so very much, Dear Friend to all!
Happy Birthday & Many More!!!
I pray that in Our Creators great love & mercy that he will continue his blessings of: His Protection of You and Your Loved Ones, Good Health, Happiness, Much Love, & Long Life!
In Great Respect,
Jodie White
Posted by: Jodie White | December 12, 2007 9:16 AM
May God grant you many happy years. Congratulations on your 65th birthday. You said that you are 40 .... that makes you one year older than Jack Benny ... with age comes wisdom.
Posted by: GW | December 14, 2007 5:01 AM
This is a great story. It is true,many people want to make a lot of money but are not sure what path to take. It is best to have a set path of what you want to do in life. Also, make sure this path will help you succeed and become what you truly want to become in life.
Posted by: Joseph Boustani | January 26, 2008 12:15 PM
Thank you Michael Josephson, your wisdom is amazing. It is true that we get so wrapped up in the moment we forget about our true path. Stay on track, don't let anything get in your way, including greed. Remember your values and it will help you stay on your path.
Posted by: kelley mobley | May 27, 2008 5:25 AM