- Anonymous

A wise old owl lived in an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; the less he spoke the more he heard:: Why can't we all be like that bird?

- JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

MOTIVES If to a girl who loves us truly Her mother gives instruction duly In virtue, duty, and what not, And if she hearkens ne'er a jot, But with fresh-strengthen'd longing flies To meet our kiss that seems to burn, Caprice has just as much concerned As love in her bold enterprise. But if her mother can succeed In gaining for her maxims heed, And softening the girl's heart too, So that she coyly shuns our view, The heart of youth she knows but ill; For when a maiden is thus stern, Virtue in truth has less concern In this, than an inconstant will.

- RALPH WALDO EMERSON

SUCCESS To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, To find the best in others, To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, A garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

- MARY OLIVER

THE SUMMER DAY Who made the world? Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean-- the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-- who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is is you plan to do With your one wild and precious life?

- JOANNA FUCHS

ON WINGS OF KNOWLEDGE There you are in your cap and tassel Ready to make the world your castle. It seems just yesterday you were a kid, Watching everything we did. Now we're watching you graduate- The grown young man/woman we helped create! On wings of knowledge you will fly; Following your vision and rising high. We couldn't be prouder, of you; We wish you success in all you do. Remember one thing we want you to know: Our love is with you wherever you go.

- ANONYMOUS

USE YOUR IMAGINATION TO FIND SUCCESS Visualize what you want. See it, Feel it, Believe in it. Your mind is a mental workshop. You can build anything in it. Make your mental blueprint, And begin to build. The beginning is in your imagination; First think, then organize your thoughts into plans Then transform your thoughts into reality by taking some positive action. Use your imagination to perceive your reality, Even when it is not fully materialized. You must first see it clearly in your mind Before you can do it. First visualize and then actualize your way To success. You really can live your dreams. All you need to do is try.

- BERTON BRAYLEY