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Wisdom and Wit About Words
Published by Bob Kelly
Resident Wordsmith and Quotemeister
WordCrafters, Inc.
www.wordcrafters.info
Providing the Right Word for Speakers, Writers, Ministry Leaders and Business Executives – since 1979!
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Volume 1 – Number 8 August 2003
In This Issue:
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BACK ISSUES AVAILABLE
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A number of our readers have expressed interest in seeing previous issues of The KellyGram, and were pleased to announce that theyre available on our website: www.wordcrafters.info.
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THE QUOTE CORNER (Encouragement)
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We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen to the soul.
- George M. Adams
If you want to change people without giving offense or arousing resentment, use encouragement.
- Dale Carnegie
Encouragement is perhaps one of the greatest gifts friends can ever give. An encouraging friend is a lifeline to steady a floundering heart, to bring sunshine to a cloudy day, and to deliver a blessing just looking for a place to land.
- Susan Duke
Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.
- Johann von Goethe
Those who are lifting the world upward and onward are those who encourage more than criticize.
- Elizabeth Harrison
There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.
- Katharine Butler Hathaway
A smile of encouragement at the right moment may act like sunlight on a closed up flower; it may be the turning point for a struggling life.
- Alfred A. Montapert
Encouragement is food for the heart, and every heart is a hungry heart.
- Pat Morley
People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to benot what you nag them to be.
- Scudder N. Parker
Words of encouragement fan the spark of genius into the flame of achievement.
- Wilfred A. Peterson
Encouragement is awesome. Think about it: It has the capacity to lift a mans or womans shoulders. To spark the flicker of a smile on the face of a discouraged child. To breathe fresh fire into the fading embers of a smoldering dream.
A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, but is miles ahead in results.
- Ella Wheeler Wilcox
(Note: These quotations are taken from our collection of nearly 400 published volumes of quotations and 1.5 million entries. If youre looking for some quotes on virtually any subject, send us an email or call us at 480-895-7617. Or, if you have a quote topic youd like us to feature in an upcoming issue? Email it to us and well get it on the schedule.)
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TOP NEWSLETTER TIPS (fourth of a series)
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Use professionals
If you have qualified writers, editors, designers, etc. on staff, well and good. If not, consider hiring professionals. If youre doing printed newsletters, and arent familiar with such terms as "serif" or "sans-serif" type fonts, "ragged" or "justified" right, or how to match paper and typefaces, get outside help. Outstanding newsletters don't just happen. Working with a good production company and printer will give you a newsletter that reflects the image you want to project. Four eyes are better than two
Before printing your newsletter, have someone else proofread it. Spotting errors in your work is much more difficult for you than for others. Also, make sure photos and captions match, that the "Inside" box correctly matches articles and page numbers, that the "continued on (or from)" information is accurate, that the issue date has been changed from the last edition, that the right headlines are on the "continued" portions of articles, etc.Keep the media informed
Dont forget editors and reporters when distributing your newsletter. Sending it to key media will establish a regular source of information about your company and the industries it serves.Keep your people informed
Your newsletters arent necessarily for your customers and prospects alone. Be sure all members of your team receive them.Build-in bounce-back
Make it easy for readers to contact you for extra copies, free offers, more information, etc. Include phone numbers with extensions, fax numbers, and people's names, not just departments. If you have a website, be sure to include the address, and an 800 number will also encourage response.
(The previous articles in this series are available on our website. Go to www.wordcrafters.info and click on "Archives")
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THE POWER OF THE TONGUE
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Several frogs were traveling through the woods, when two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around and, when they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two theyd never get out. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit.
The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up. He lay down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. Then the other frogs asked him, "Why did you continue jumping. Didn't you hear us?"
The frog explained that he was deaf, and thought they were encouraging him.
This story holds two lessons:
1. Theres the power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to folks who are down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone whos down can be what it takes to kill. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.
The power of words! An encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.
(Source Unknown)
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LINGUISTIC ABSURDITIES
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Despite our long-running campaign to remove every form of "political correctness" from our language, it often appears to be a losing battle. Consider this item, which was recently reported in various media: student teachers in Great Britain were told to avoid the use of the word "brainstorming." The rationale: it might be offensive to epileptics. In its place, the term "thought shower" was recommended. Fortunately, Britains National Society for Epilepsy, whose officials clearly have a great deal more common sense than the PC Police, declared "brainstorming" to be quite acceptable.
The next time these PC birdbrains have a thought shower, I intend to take cover, to make sure none of it falls on me.
Source: Fax News, Week of July 28, 2003
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KIND WORDS FOR OUR NEW BOOK
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Were hearing some nice things about our newest book, Worth Repeating: More than 5,000 Classic and Contemporary Quotes, which was recently released by Kregel Publications. For example, the vice president of international publishing for one large organization said this; "You have really done a quality job here. This is most valuable. It now sits on my reference shelf, right alongside Bartletts. Ill be using it often."
Worth Repeating includes many familiar quotes, along with a variety of unique items weve been collecting over the course of 20-plus years. The selections range from funny to profound, from inspirational to entertaining, and from educational to spiritually motivating and uplifting.
Designed as a helpful resource for speakers, writers, teachers and preachers, the book is arranged alphabetically by topic, and by author within each of the more than 700 topics. Both author and subject indexes are also included.
Worth Repeating may be ordered directly from our website at www.wordcrafters.info. Upon request, well be happy to autograph or personalize books ordered via our site, at no additional charge.
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SMILE AWHILE
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Most of us have now learned to live with voice mail as a necessary part of our lives. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if God decided to install voice mail? Imagine praying and hearing the following:
Thank you for calling heaven.
Please select one of the following options:
Im sorry, all our Angels and Saints are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us and well answer it in the order it was received. Please stay on the line.
If youd like to speak to:
To find a loved one whos been assigned to heaven, press 5, then enter his social security number, followed by the pound sign. (If you receive a negative response, please hang up and dial Area Code 666)
For reservations to heaven, please enter JOHN followed by the numbers, 3:16.
For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, life and other planets, please wait until you arrive in heaven for the specifics.
Our computers show youve already been prayed for today. Please call again tomorrow.
The office is now closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday.
If youre calling after hours and need emergency assistance, please contact your local pastor. Thank you and have a heavenly day.
(Source Unknown)
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A FINAL WORD
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If your mind goes blank, dont forget to turn off the sound.
(Source: Our Daily Bread, July 9, 2003)
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Comments/Questions:
Your comments and questions are always welcome. Please contact us at info@wordcrafters.info or call Bob Kelly at (480) 895-7617.
© 2003 by Bob Kelly. All rights reserved.
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