Gene has enjoyed collecting “Words of Wisdom” beginning with his grandmother’s clippings from the Busy Bee column in the Chicago Daily Drovers Journal and added to by both of our Mothers, Ray Cunningham and friends who learned of our interest in collecting “Thoughts for the Day”. (Authors are included when known).
With a partner, develop meaningful routines; a good morning kiss and again at night saying “I LOVE YOU”; daily bible reading, praying together; do not argue, instead have educational discussions.
BE A FRIEND I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you help me to make of myself. I love you for the part of me that you bring out. I love you for laying a firm hold on the possibilities of the good within me. I love you for adding to the music in me by worshipful listening. I love you because you are helping me to make of the timber of my life a temple. I love you because you have done more than any creed could have done to make me happy. You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign. You have done it first of all by being yourself. After all, this is what being a true friend means.
MYSELF I have to live with myself and so I want to be fit for myself to know, I want to be able as days go by to always look myself in the eye, I don’t want to stand with the setting sun and hate myself for the things I’ve done. I want to go out with my head erect; I want to deserve all men’s respect. But here in the struggle for fame and self, I want to be able to like myself. I don’t want to look at myself and know that I’m bluster and bluff and empty show. I can never hide myself from me; I can see what others may never see; I know what others may never know, I can never fool myself and so, whatever happens I want to be self respecting and conscience free.
