My Writing

Wisdom of the Big and Little Screens

First, I’m about to publish my book Wisdom of the Big and Little Screens. This book is a collection of quotes from movies and television. Its format is well-suited for today’s fast-paced lives. Each quote has a significant point in it, some a moral lesson. Most of the quotes have brief psychological, spiritual, or philosophical commentary to clarify its importance.

I started collecting these quoted lines when I was conducting training and presenting seminars. I would use them to represent a point I was trying to convey. Over time, I simply started collecting other lines I thought had something to offer the world to expand people’s wisdom.

I want readers to have an enjoyable read. Wisdom of the Big and Little Screens has been referred to as “snack food for the soul”.

How to Be the Boss You Always Wanted to Work For

My next book that I’ve already completed much of the work on, will be How to Be the Boss You Always Wanted to Work For. The subtitle is And the Leader You Always Wanted to Follow.

This book presents simple ways and new insights on managing and leading others in the workplace.

Many of the concepts are fresh and have not been previously published.

Why did I write “Wisdom of the Big and Little Screens”?

I’ve always enjoyed movie trivia and their back stories. When it comes to movies, trivia isn’t always trivial. One day I realized that some of the quotes that have stayed with us over the years are not just clever quips or sarcastic comebacks. They are really kernels of wisdom, truth, and insight. It’s been said that movies mirror the times or the era they portray. But the wisdom of some of these lines transcend all eras. I wrote this book to explore and share this insight and wisdom.

"The Wisdom of the Big and Little Screens" is an entertaining self-help book based on movie and television quotes.

Most of the quotes are followed with psychological, spiritual, or philosophical commentary that is easily digested. Those that have read the book say its unique structure could plant seeds for personal growth, by motivating the reader to take positive action.

The format is well-suited for today’s fast-paced lives. Many people desire material that is helpful and easily internalized. This book is psychological, spiritual, and philosophical ‘snack food’ for the soul.

A Selection of Quotes From: Wisdom of the Big and Little Screens

“You know what they say, ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, come sit by me.’”

Spoken by Olivia Dukakis in Steel Magnolias (1989),
quote originally attributed to Alice Roosevelt Longworth (President Theodore Roosevelt’s daughter).

“That’s what Hell is, watching your dreams die.”

Spoken by actor Robert Hook as King David in Posse (1993)

At some point, you had an idea silently arrive in your mind.
Your idea becomes a dream, a purpose.
Your dream haunts you, chases you.
When your dream catches you, you have a chance to run with it. The dream becomes a goal, maybe a mission. You run with it toward the goal line with purpose.
Sometimes, something happens that makes us stop running to the goal line. Fear, work, commitment, many things. It can be anything that presents a challenge or an obstacle.
Suddenly, the dream starts pulling away from you. Now you’re chasing the dream by thinking about it but not acting. You begin regretting your lack of action.
The dream moves further away—eventually becoming a fading memory.
Eventually, another dreamer begins realizing the same or similar dream.
For you, the dream has died. Your dream is replaced with regret. That’s when the quote from the Texas Country Reporter occurs, “Old age is when regrets replace dreams.”
And that’s what the hell is, watchin’ your dreams die.
My observations of retirees show that sometimes, the unhappiest are those who gave up their dreams, letting them slip away and die—part of themselves dying with their dreams.
It’s never too late to start running with your dream, your purpose. Get back in the race. The journey is filled with steps. Each step is an objective (sometimes disguised as an obstacle) moving you closer to finishing the chase (or race) with the dream—arriving at the goal line together.
As Mark Twain said, “The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.”

“He lives vicariously through himself”

The Most Interesting Man in the World (Dos Equis commercial)

“Humility is the worst form of conceit.”

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
(Spoken by actor Charles Gray as Blofeld; line originally written by François Duc de La Rochefoucauld.)

Superficial humility is a form of conceit because it is an attempt to elevate oneself in a less than earnest way, to seemingly put oneself above a situation and indirectly indicate that others are beneath them.
The movie, Lord Jim, has a similar line: “Your humility has too much pride.”
Pride has several qualities, some good and some not so good.
Positive pride is about performing at a high level of quality—personally or professionally.
Negative pride would be the haughty spirit the Bible mentions in the seven deadly sins. Negative pride can blind us to doing things differently so we might improve. Being so proud of our ways, we reject other ways that could have better outcomes and continuous improvement.
Ego and pride are much the same. Kept in check, in their place, they can be healthy. Taken to extremes, they may become a detriment personally and a turnoff to others.
When you or a group have accomplished something of import, pridefully celebrate.
After the celebration, set aside the pride and start anew improving on what you’ve accomplished.
Or start another project that will improve the future.
Pride is for the moment. Continuous improvement is for life.

“If the rich could hire someone to do their dyin’, the poor could make a wonderful livin’.”

Richard Masur as Cully in Heaven’s Gate (1980)

“He’s what every boy wants to be when he grows up and wishes he had been when he’s an old man.”

Robert Ryan in The Tall Men (1955)

Recall the line from Quiz Show: “If you want to be a knight, act like a knight.”
It’s never too late to begin living the life role you want.
Identify the behaviors of the role you want to be. Write them down. Define what behavior you must practice and display.
Keep them consciously in your mind and act them out until you’ve
internalized them. You may, at times, make mistakes, but that’s part of growing.
Do this and you’ll not be faced with the line from Mario Peeple’s Posse:
“Hell is watching our dreams die.”

“The only people who face reality are those too dumb to duck when they see it coming.”

Stewart Granger in Bhawani Junction (1956)

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