The Girl (and the Billionaire) in the Glass

An interesting post by Kelly at the always interesting Reepicheep's Coracle stated the following:

Rational people who are trying to be happy should think about themselves first. "What do I want to do today?" should be the primary question we are asking ourselves.

That made me instantly recall one of the (many) sayings by Warren Buffett that I like:

"I have this complicated procedure I go through every morning which is to look in the mirror and decide what I'm going to do. And I feel at that point, everybody's had their say."

I agree with both that this is the right attitude to have. If you do too, you should love this poem--which ties both quotes together nicely.

Red Bull for Your Soul, Cont'd

Here's some more "red bull for your soul"--an excellent poem by Dale Wimbrow called "The Man in the Glass."

When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the guy in the glass.

I love this poem, not only for its rhythm and rhyme, but for the message it holds: that, if happiness is your goal, you should be true to yourself--living in such a way that your own judgement of your own soul is unquestionably positive.