One such gift was given to me in my younger days during a particularly turbulent time in my life. It was a simple handmade plaque with a simple inscription. To this day, that plaque sits proudly in my home office, where I often refer to its words of wisdom—passed down to me, to be passed down to others.
It speaks of "class" with an undertone that, if you want to be respected, you must learn to give respect. The indispensable golden rule is to do unto others as you would have done unto you. (Matthew 7:12) One of the inscription's lessons, I have applied to my daily life is the following, "good manners are nothing more than a series of petty sacrifices." We have all eluded sacrifices, making the excuse that we are too busy. Saying, "I wish I could, but maybe next time." I can honestly say, some of my most memorable moments of life, have been when I found an hour, a day, or in some cases, a month to be there for family, friends, neighbors, or even strangers on the street. It's a beautiful life, for sure. Find the time to make the most of it, not make excuses. I have also learned on this life journey, that the gifts, most cherished help us to learn and grow. Class never runs scared. It is sure-footed, confident in the knowledge that you can meet life head-on and handle whatever comes along. In Genesis 25:26, Jacob had class. Esau did not. In this ancient story, light is shed on the aspects of the human condition: fear, dishonesty, destiny, and ultimately integrity. Symbolically, we can see Jacob's wrestling match with the angel as a battle with our personal angel. And if integrity wins a victory, it marks us thereafter. The handmade plaque I received those many years ago, reads as follows:
Lou, if anyone has been tested, you have. This belongs to you. Love Dad The Year was 1989
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Lou Jasikoff Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, Lou Jasikoff enjoyed a great childhood, blessed with great parents, a brother, two sisters, and a close extended family. He attended Fordham University on a full baseball scholarship and graduated with a degree in accounting. Upon graduating from Fordham, Lou enjoyed a successful but brief stint in the corporate world before heading to Montana to try his hands as a businessman. Archives |