Listen to this inspiring talk by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen about the importance of adoration.
When I started my law practice, I followed the advice that was given in the book, How To Open Up Your Own Law Practice Without Missing A Meal. The book recommended that I walk into other lawyers’ offices (without an appointment) and ask the lawyers if they had an extra office that was available for rent. If there was an office available, the book instructed that I then ask if I could trade my research and writing skills for rent. The book further advised that for those lawyers who did not have an office to rent, I was to ask them: (1) if they had any research and writing work for me to do for an agreed-upon hourly rate, and (2) if they would be willing to refer clients to me that they didn’t want.
When I was boy, there was a game show on television called “Let’s Make A Deal.” On the show, a contestant was shown three curtains to choose from. Behind one of the curtains, there was usually a gag prize such as a live mule or a bucket of dirt. Behind the other two curtains were expenses prizes. The object of the game was to choose one of the curtains that had prizes behind it. After the contestant chose a curtain, the curtain was opened to reveal what the contestant won.
In the early summer of 1967 (when I was 10 years old), while holding onto the end of an old rubber garden hose, I climbed up the Weeping Willow Tree in the back yard of my parents’ home. When I got about 20 feet up, I climbed out onto a thick branch and tied the end of the hose to the branch. Since my intention was to use the hose to swing around like Tarzan, I made sure it was securely fastened to the tree limb.
Every summer several of my brothers and cousins go to Iowa to play golf for 3½ days. On each of the first three days (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) they play at least 36 holes of golf. The final day (Sunday) they play 18 holes. Then they go home.
When I was 12 years old, I experienced two events that changed the course of my life: (1) I got my own paper route; and (2) my mom drove me to the bank and opened up a checking account in my name. The reason she opened the account was because she didn’t want the job of writing a check every week to the local newspaper (Peoria Journal Star). When we got home, she taught me how to write checks, and when the first bank statement arrived in the mail, she taught me how to reconcile the account.
I graduated from high school in 1975 (36 years ago). The school I attended was located in a rural area of Peoria County. Most of the students in the school were from families in which at least one of the parents worked in a blue collar job, such as manufacturing or the building trades. I came from one of those families. While I was growing up, my dad was a carpenter. Although he eventually ended up owning his own construction company, he always remained a member of the Carpenters’ Union.
Every July 4th we celebrate “Independence Day,” the anniversary of when our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776).