Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Dirty Laundry



Dear Boo and Bubble,

We live in a world of rapid change but there are some things that remain constant.  Human nature is one of those things.

As you grow older, you will be tempted to complain…..oh….. I don’t know…..probably about most everything of any negative consequence that happens.  And you’ll want to tell folks outside your home what’s happening on the inside, especially when you’re aggravated with one of the insiders.  It’s called “airing your dirty laundry.” 

I was reading the other day from articles written by your great, great, great, great grandfather Joseph B. Cottrell.  This particular one, published on March 18, 1882, struck a strong chord with me.

“Everyone has as much as he or she can stand up under, or lie down under.  Therefore, make it a study to keep to yourself your troubles.  Pay no interest on the capital others invest in the way of curiosity concerning their troubles; and tax nobody except as it is a necessity.  And yet it were well to know some – one, at least – with whom you can trust more than your life.  Be merciful to yourself.  Tell none aught that would compromise you or discount you, except God; and tell Him because He knows it already.”

Sage advice from 130 years ago…..as pertinent now as it was then.

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