8 minute read
Harvey Mackay
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Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on farms separated by a creek fell into conflict. It began with a small misunderstanding and grew into a major difference and finally exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence. One morning there was a knock on the older brother’s door. The visitor was a man with a carpenter’s toolbox. “I’m looking for a few days’ work,” he said. “Perhaps you have a couple small jobs I could help with?”
“Yes,” said the brother. “I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. It belongs to my younger brother. I want you to build me an eight-foot fence so I won’t need to see his place anymore.”
The carpenter nodded. “I think I understand the situation.”
The older brother helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then went off to town. When he returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. But there was no fence. It was a bridge – a bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other. And his younger brother was walking over, his hand outstretched.
“You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.”
The two brothers met in the middle, taking each other’s hand. Then the older brother turned to see the carpenter hoisting his toolbox onto his shoulder.
“No, wait!” the older brother called. “Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects for you.”
The carpenter smiled. “No thanks. I have many more bridges to build.”
People who make a habit of burning bridges often wake up one morning wondering, “Where did everyone go?” Fortunately this older brother now knew how to regain what he was looking for, even if he didn’t realize it at the time.
The definition of burning bridges is “the act of unpleasantly and permanently ending relations with another person or an organization. To act harshly/disgracefully upon leaving a situation to ensure that you will not be welcomed back.”
How many people have left positions at companies and said some negative things about their previous employer, only to have them come back to haunt them? It’s a small world out there. Chances are that you will encounter people you used to work for or with, so leaving on good terms can prevent ugly situations in the future.
You also run the risk of tarnishing your reputation. As I’ve said on many occasions, my father Jack always used to tell me, “You spend your whole lifetime building a good name and reputation, and one foolish act can destroy it.”
I have taken his words to heart, because there are few things more important than a good reputation. If you don't have a positive reputation, it will be difficult to be successful, because your reputation not only follows you, it also precedes you.
The world is full of people who were at the top of their game when they made a fatal mistake – due to poor judgment, arrogance or the inability to do the right thing. Reputations are destroyed, and all the money in the world can't buy them back.
Repairing a reputation is considerably more difficult than keeping a good one.
The ability to forgive the other party also goes a long way toward maintaining
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Perhaps the offending party doesn’t even realize the hurt they have caused, or even if they do, feel it was justified. But holding grudges is a lot of work. Getting beyond grievances is a sign of maturity and a great example for others.
The daughter of a friend gave me some advice a few months ago on how to handle forgiveness. She suggested making a list of the grudges, anger and pain that weigh you down. Commit to releasing it once and for all. Take three deep breaths and ask for peace. Then burn the list. And smile. You’ve just lightened your load.
As F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “For every minute you remain angry, you give up 60 seconds of peace of mind.”
Bottom line, take the high road. Act like an adult. Keep your bitterness to yourself. Be gracious. The person you took for granted today may turn out to be the person you need tomorrow. So think twice before you burn any bridges.
Mackay’s Moral: A person who burns bridges better be a damn good swimmer.
Reprinted with permission from nationally syndicated columnist Harvey Mackay, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller “Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive,” “We Got Fired!...And It’s the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Us,” “The Mackay MBA of Selling in the Real World,” and “Use Your Head To Get Your Foot In The Door.”
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Upcoming Events
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 • Freeport Lions Club American Red Cross Blood Drive from 1-7 p.m. at the Freeport Community Center.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2 • Folk & Old-Time Music & Potluck starting from 1-3 p.m. at the Village View Apartments, Grey Eagle. See ad on page 4. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6 • Brian Lange Family Benefit Breakfast & Silent Auction from 9 a.m.-noon at the Upsala Rec. Building. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 • Melrose Legion Post & Auxiliary Meeting at 7 p.m. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 • Sweetheart Dance from 1-4 p.m. at the Melrose American Legion. See ad on page 3.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19 • 32nd Annual Valentine's Banquet starting at 6 p.m. at Word of Life Free Lutheran Church, Upsala.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 • Sobieski & Swanville Lions Club 29th Annual Fishing Contest starts at noon on Long Lake, Swanville. See ad on page 5. ALBANY TOWNSHIP • Meets the fourth Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany City Hall. • Planning Commission meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany City Hall.
BURNHAMVILLE TOWNSHIP • Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Burtrum City Hall. BURTRUM CITY COUNCIL • Meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
FEET FIRST CLINIC • Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Holdingford City Hall. FOOD DISTRIBUTION • Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution first Saturday of the Month from 10-11 a.m. at River of Live Church, Sauk Centre.
FREEPORT SENIOR MEETING • Meets the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. with cards/Bingo/coffee/dessert.
GREY EAGLE CITY COUNCIL • Meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. GREY EAGLE TOWNSHIP • Meets the first Monday of the month at 8 p.m.
MELROSE VFW #7050 POST/AUX. • Meets the firstTuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Melrose American Legion Clubrooms. STEARNS CO. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY • Meets at 7 p.m. on the 2nd Monday of the month at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albany. SUNSHINE CLUB • Meets every Monday, weigh in starts at 8; meeting at 8:30 a.m. at the Village View Apartments, Grey Eagle. ST. ROSA CITY COUNCIL • Meets the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Community Park building.
SWANVILLE CITY COUNCIL • First Tuesday after the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. SWANVILLE TOWNSHIP • Meets the second Tuesday of the month at 8:30 p.m. at the Swanville Fire Hall.
TODD COUNTY REPUBLICANS • Meets second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church, Clarissa. UPSALA CITY COUNCIL • Meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
If you have an upcoming event or meeting, please let us know by email: htnews@icloud.com or call 320-285-2323.
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