Paul W Schmidt

“The strength of a man is in his character. A strong man is a great man of wisdom who understands, his top priority is to his family.” ― Ellen J. Barrier

While I have been around my father-in-law Paul Schmidt for a mere twelve years, I am lucky to have known him.

The stories he regaled of growing up, World War II and life's adventure are amazing even in the common. Every person has a story and Paul had some of the best to tell.

Stories of his time spent during the war, working for the railroad, of raising a family, all inspired and loving stories. A man bent on raising a family the best way he could all with a smile upon his face and laughter in his voice.

It was early on Christmas morning, a day when we celebrate the birth of Christ when Paul left our grasp. It is the faith we have in a loving God that we also have faith in the love of our dear Paul. He will live forever in the fond memories held close to our hearts.

I have Paul to thank for a beautiful and loving wife.
I have Paul to thank for the friendship of his other children and their families.
I have Paul to thank for being so gracious and kind to me.

We all have Paul to thank for the freedoms we have today.

Thank you Paul.

God's grace, peace and love upon your new eternal life.

Stay inspired my friends.

2014 Ends

“For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." ― T.S. Eliot

What will the new year bring to you? More importantly, what will you do in the new year? What voice will you use to bring greatness into the life of others and to your own. Will you allow 2015 to be the start of something big?

With three days left in the year of 2014, if you look back at all of the great things accomplished, you know there is more to accomplish in 2015. And you will accomplish even more in the coming year as you turn from self to others. When you approach your goals thinking of others first, your level of success will surpass your needs.

The typical resolutions people make are to lose weight, quit smoking, get a better education, get a better job, save money, get fit, eat healthy, manage debt, manage stress, take a trip, recycle, drink less and volunteer to help others. Only one of the thirteen resolutions has to do with others and not self. The others are about self.

Why not help someone lose weight, quit smoking or help them get a better education. You could also help someone find a better job or get fit or one of a number of things. Why not volunteer to help others and in turn help yourself?

The current year is quickly coming to an end and a new one is bearing down upon us. It does not take a lot of thinking, planning or discussion. You simply make the decision to do one, two or three things for another person. The rest will fall into place for you.

Stay inspired my friends.

2014 Big Ideas from TED

“Ideas come from everything” ― Alfred Hitchcock



Stay inspired my friends!

Christmas Virginia

In 1897, Dr. Philip O'Hanlon, a coroner's assistant on Manhattan's Upper West Side, was asked by his then eight-year-old daughter, Virginia O'Hanlon, whether Santa Claus really existed. O'Hanlon suggested she write to The Sun, a prominent New York City newspaper at the time, assuring her that "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." He unwittingly gave one of the paper's editors, Francis Pharcellus Church, an opportunity to rise above the simple question and address the philosophical issues behind it.

Dear Editor

I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O’Hanlon

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

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Stay inspired my friends!