The Art of Getting Along

I had a meeting with a gentleman last week.  He shared a personal story about a high school graduation gift that his grandfather gave him.  It was a print of "The Art of Getting Along."  The gift was not appreciated at the time; but today it is one of his prized possessions and is displayed prominently in his office.  I liked his story so much that I wanted to share this and share the words of "The Art of Getting Along."  Thank you for sharing your story with me, Chris!

THE ART OF GETTING ALONG

Sooner or later a man, if he is wise, discovers that life is a mixture of good days and bad, victory and defeat, give and take.

He learns that a man's size is often measured by the size of the thing it takes to get his goat...that the conquest of petty irritations is vital to success.

He learns that he who loses his temper usually loses.

He learns that carrying a chip on his shoulder is the quickest way to get into a fight.

He learns that buck-passing acts as a boomerang.

He learns that carrying tales and gossip about others is the easiest way to become unpopular.

He learns that everyone is human and that he can help to make the day happier for others by smiling and saying, "Good morning!"

He learns that giving others a mental lift by showing appreciation and praise is the best way to lift his own spirits.

He learns that the world will not end when he fails or makes an error; that there is always another day and another chance.

He learns that listening is frequently more important than talking, and that he can make a friend by letting the other fellow tell HIS troubles.

He learns that all men have burnt toast for breakfast now and then and that he shouldn't let their grumbling get him down.

He learns that people are not any more difficult to get along with in one place than another and that "getting along" depends about ninety-eight percent on his own behaviour.

--Wilferd Peterson