I am posting this inspirational piece in the light of what has been happening in our midst and the dire need for men and women of honor to serve this country. May there rise from amongst worthy Malaysians, a new breed of leaders who are 'unpurchasable' and will not be cowed in any way in their desire to serve the rakyat as elected representatives. Do leave a comment to share your thoughts. Thanks! Have a pleasant evening!
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"Learn to say no," said Charles Spurgeon. "It will be of more use to you than to be able to read Latin."
One educator used to say that no society can last long unless it has a quorum of "unpurchasable people."
These are people of principle who cannot be bought; people who have learned to say no. I believe that these so-called unpurchasable people are the truly contented and fulfilled souls around us.
In Whitney Seymour's book MAKING A DIFFERENCE (New York: William Morrow and Co., Inc., 1984), Arthur McArthur, General Douglas McArthur's father, told his son of such an unpurchasable man.
This man was a Union general in charge of the occupied territory surrounding New Orleans toward the end of the American Civil War. He was pressed by local plantation owners to permit them to haul their cotton to the wharves in order for it to be sold for shipment to England. The general controlled all the wagons and horses, and his orders from high command in Washington were clear. He was not to let the cotton crop get to market.
Then one day, when Colonel Arthur MacArthur was visiting the general, two Southern ladies were ushered into the general's office, a "grande dame" and a beautiful young companion. The older lady came right to the point. She said that the landowners needed the temporary use of transport facilities to move their cotton.
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The North did not wish to force England into the war, she argued, and was allowing some merchant ships to slip through the blockade. Therefore, the Union would not be opposed to the sale of cotton for English textile mills. To show her gratitude she handed over $250,000 in gold certificates. "And if you need other inducements, this young lady will supply them," she added. They departed, leaving behind a distressed general holding the beautiful young woman's address.
The general immediately ordered MacArthur to dispatch this message to Washington: "TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I have just been offered two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen to betray my trust. I am depositing the money with the Treasury of the United States, and request immediate relief from this command. They are getting close to my price."
Many others may have fallen for the seductive offer. And though his decision was no doubt difficult to make, how much harder might his life have eventually become had he chosen wrong?
Saying yes to contentment and peace often begins with saying no.
For ultimately happy lives are guided by unwavering principles, such as honesty, trust and love.
Those who keep sight of their principles and use them as a guide in all their decision-making will eventually arrive at a place of lasting peace.
"Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands," says Carl Schurz.
"But like the (seafarers) on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny."
written by Steve Goodier
Steve Goodier Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for more information. Have a lovely evening!
16 comments to LEARN TO SAY "NO"
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Anonymous " NO !" shouted biniku when I told her to stop taking iron-pills .
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nick Sis,
It is said that every man (and woman too lest some people brand me as a male chauvinist)has a price. What is the price for us to sell our soul? In the case of Malaysian I think that shouldn't be a question at all!
Why, during the last election "someone" offered to give us millions of RM that actually belong to us (who is stupid enough to take that offer?) and then he offered us a woman in the form of a trolley and a big trolley at that (suffice to say that the answer was a BIG "NO" cos they lost the "Buy-election")! I think if the general was offered "the woman", he would have written it off as an insult (who wouldn't be insulted!)
Nick.
Everyman has a price BUT the question is "Are you a willing seller?" GOD bless us all, Sis.
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LC Teh Real heroes (men/women with principles) are indeed a rare item these days. Is it because of our liberal attitude whereby we even strip historical figures of their dignity by digging up their little bad points like their drinking or swearing habits? Or is it because our history books no longer contain the heroic accounts great people of the past? Sometimes I do wonder.
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Unknown Dear Anon @ 5.07pm
Haha!! Witty comment! Thanks for the smiles.
Cheers
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Unknown Dear Anon @ 5.18pm
:-) Take care and may you and your bini live in love and perfect harmony always!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear Anon @ 5.29pm
YAY!!! I was hoping to stir responses like yours.
Thanks for jiving with the post. Take care and have a blessed evening.
Do keep in touch!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear Nick,
Today, the various news portals have reported that the govt spent 37million RM at the Sibu by-election and also the MOE spent 26BILLION RM!!! Isn't that scary?
They seem to forget that it is the rakyat's money that is being spent and that they should be very prudent...
Let's hope that such excesses will not happen again and the only way to ensure this is to put into place a PR government.
We have to say 'NO' to corruption!
Take care and thanks for sharing. Take care and have a blessed week.
Salam
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Unknown Dear LC Teh
I always enjoy your thought-provoking comments, especially this one.
I wonder what historians will write about Malaysian history from 1970 to 2020...
Thanks for swinging by, LC Teh.
Take care and may you and yours be blessed each day of your lives.
Best wishes
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edward Dear MWS,
The way I see it, none of these people will ever live in peace with their ill gotten wealth. We do have a conscience and it speaks to us constantly. I am of the view that peace of mind is something that money can never buy. They may enjoy all the trappings money can bring but deep down in their psyche they know they did not deserve it one bit. When they are old and weak and about to meet their maker, all the luxuries do not matter anymore. There and then they will yearn for that elusive state of mind - peace.
Blessings.
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Anonymous Behind me is infinite power,
Before me is endless possibility,
Around me is boundless opportunity,
Why should I say "No"?
Sounds familiar to many rent-seekers out there. How to say no for them, leh when power, opportunity and endless possibility are there for them to tap into. It takes a real hero of Malaysia who is selfless and unselfish to the end in order to be able to say "no" even when tons of $$$$$$$$ is pouring down before their very eye.
Thank God, we still have the Pakatan, both men and women of integrity and honour that are priced beyond the $$$$$$$$. Let us hope that it will be these honourable men and women that will take this nation forward in the coming years.
~ahoo~
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Unknown Dear Edward
Thank you so much for a very inspiring and wise comment. I pray many will quicken to the promptings of their conscience and steer far away from temptation. Do take care and thanks so much for this elegant input. God bless you and yours always. Please keep in touch!
Shalom
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Unknown Dear Anon @ 12.23 a.m.
What is ctss?
Thanks for sharing your view and making a stand...Hope to hear from you again.
Cheers
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Unknown Dear Ahoo
It takes a lot of strength to be able to say "NO" to temptation. The most important element or characteristic is definitely honor and integrity and it is so vital that we put in place a government that has men and women with lots of such characteristics for accountability, transparency, integrity that we may have good governance. Thanks so much for sharing, ahoo.
Take care and God bless you and yours always.
Shalom
Anonymous my bini has already turned 'rusty' after taking the iron-pills for years ....sighs !!