…if you Don’t Weaken!
That’s what my grandmother used to say. “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken.” Her “motto” had a strong and profound ring to it. But what did it really mean, I wondered? And did my grandma invent this saying or did she discover it?
Thanks to the internet, within five seconds I had learned more about my grandma’s guiding phrase. First, I found another blog where the writer says that HER grandmother invoked this saying as well, in a loud and clear voice! Turns out, many bloggers can relate to this phrase- especially writers!
Then I discovered the originator of these stirring words, none other than His Excellency The Right Honourable The Lord Tweedsmuir GCMG GCVO CH PC, a Scottish novelist, historian, and politician who served as Governor General of Canada. That’s him, at the top of this page. He doesn’t look like one who would weaken, does he?
Now let’s segue to Charli.
I’ve been thinking about my book character Charli. I turned on her spotlight three years ago in September, when I published the first book in my The Golden Age of Charli series.
Charli has a favorite phrase that is similar, “Press On! Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence…” Calvin Coolidge is the originator of this inspiring quote, and it was a favorite of the founder of McDonald’s, Ray Kroc. Charli used this mantra to guide her through the early days of retirement in the first book in the series.
The second book in the series found Charli repeating Peter Drucker’s famous saying, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure”, as she and her husband Pud dealt with the some weighty issues.
By book 3, Charli wonders if she should recalculate her life. Where is she headed? Yes, Charli is still the same happy, positive, lovable character, but there’s always something around the next corner, isn’t there? I have to say, Book 3 is my favorite!
And that’s probably Charli’s favorite quote of all-
“There’s always something wonderful and unexpected waiting around the next corner.”
What thought or motto guides you life- please share it.
Like a checking the town in two or three banks and a yellow Cadillac to drive
To go sportin’ around with two or three red-heads or maybe take a blond along
It’s a great life if you don’t weaken but who wants to be strong
And get me a date with a pretty little thing and I’ll be markin’ afternoon
No want more than anybody else just takes more for me to get along
It’s a great life if you don’t weaken but who wants to be strong
Just give me a house a swimming pool and a little sport plane to fly
It don’t take much to satisfy me I’m a country boy tryin’ to get along
It’s a great life if you don’t weaken but who wants to be strong
About the Author
Beth Ann Chiles
September 20, 2018 at 7:53 amI have never heard that phrase at all so I guess my grandmothers did not know it! Press on is such a great phrase. If I had to pick a motto it would be this one:”Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” (Attributed to John Wesley but not verified)
Jena Henry
September 20, 2018 at 7:58 amBeth- your quote is a Truth. From what I’ve read, the thought seems to correspond to what John Wesley taught, even if he didn’t say the exact words. Gives us a good guide in life and much to aspire to.
Maureen Aliprandi
September 20, 2018 at 1:45 pmKeep your chin up and your nose down is a phrase I used to tell my kids. They repeated it often enough that their friends started using it. I meant it to mean keep a positive attitude and stay humble.
Seems like a good idea.
Charli is a delightful character. I’m gi kar I met her. And you!
Jena Henry
September 20, 2018 at 2:40 pmYes! A super phrase for life! (And keep your eyes to yourself! Do Teachers still say that?)
thanks for the positive words Maureen!
Minnesota Prairie Roots
October 1, 2018 at 12:38 pmHere’s a line I heard at a small town Legion Club several days ago: “Boards and nails. All you need are boards and nails.” When Carol spoke those words, she was referencing construction of a chicken coop. It just struck me as powerful in some odd sort of way beyond chicken coops.
Jena Henry
October 1, 2018 at 1:12 pmHi Audrey! Good quote- highlighting that most solutions are not as complicated as we might think- so just do it! And glad to hear you are healing!