Attitude

[irnsrgn]

We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day and use with others. We cannot change our past...... The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it and towards others. And so it is with us... we are in charge of our attitudes. Lets stop and think how we react towards others, some times a comment when we are having a bad day or don't agree with others is very hurtful to say the least.

[Mr Smith]

Hear hear!!

[Ten Hammers]

Junior, you hit the head of the nail. Folks are like hogs. You get this many in a room ( virtual or whatever ) somebody's gonna bite another's tail and there will be a squeal. Some will think there are the main hog and try to push others around. No, we are not livestock. Life can be tough sometimes but it IS a good ride. It is what we make of it. Some never get out of Junior High School. Some still think they are Seniors and the rest of us are Freshmen. I can only speak for myself. I am alive by the Grace of God. I've made so many mistakes ( many could have been fatal ) that I'm just glad to be able to get in the boat each morning.

[primtechsmith]

Well put Jr. I hope this thread reaches all corners of this forum!

[elkdoc]

Thanks Jr.

I needed a "giblet" of advice like this today.

[HWooldridge]

The Internet (or any written form of communication) is quite imperfect, to say the least. Inflections and body language can't be read and not everyone is a Shakespeare with regard to commanding the mother tongue. Many times, slights or outright insults are deduced where none were intended.

Abraham Lincoln was frequently depressed and often took it out on those around him. It occurred to him one day that he was in charge of his own emotions so he began making a conscious decision to be positive and friendly in his daily dealings with others. The rest, as they say, is history...

[primtechsmith]

yeah. no matter how nice you try to be you get assassinated!!!


Peyton


Don't get angry ya'll. I am joking!

[ladysmith]

The Eagle & The Wolf

There is a great battle that rages inside me.

One side is the soaring eagle. Everything the eagle stands for is good and true and beautiful, and it soars above the clouds. Even though it dips down into the valleys, it lays its eggs on the mountaintops.

The other side of me is the howling wolf. And that raging, howling wolf represents the worst that's in me. He eats upon my downfalls and justifies himself by his presence in the pack.

Who wins this great battle?

The One That I Feed!

[ApprenticeMan]

I hate how wolves always get a bad rap. Good words though Irn. Attitude should be well tempered every day to everyone. In a burgeoning semi unknown crafts such as blacksmithing/swordsmithing/farrying, one bad attitude pitched towards one person can go a long way for the reputation and public perception of said crafts. Also, maybe more importantly, I always make it a point to be extremely polite and as helpful as possible to anyone interested in trying smithing or wanting to try smithing. My shop is always open to most anyone, beginners or masters, and I am more than happy to share any information I have. I was very lucky to have met a true master smith, and visit his shop when I was just starting out. He is second to last in a 300 year old line of armorers, and opened his shop to me, and gave me a tour. at the time I only had my little 22 pound anvil, and some yardsale tongs and hammers, and was working on a flat topped saw horse/work bench I made, working hardware and sheetrock nails with a propane torch as a heat source. So getting to see this modern working blacksmith's shop was a waking dream. His anvil was huge, HUGE! It shined in the sun coming through a dirty window. His coal forge was also huge! He himself used the coal forge mainly, but had a little propane forge for when it was needed, but preferred the coal forge. He had a 25 pound Little Giant, which shook and made the most fantastic noise! I drooled over it! All of the tools, hammers, tongs, 2 huge cone mandrels, welders, torches, press shear, big wooden slack tub, everything! It was all so beautiful. And in his office, all of these amazing things! A medieval helmet, a peace pipe, with all of these initials carved all over it, that he said was used every time (back when his father owned a shop) there was a fight in the shop, so they would smoke the peace pipe after there was a fight, then carved they're initials on it, afterwards, fight over. There were all kinds of iron work I didn't even think of, pot racks, game racks, door hardware, spatulas and forks from railroad spikes, a few how it is done boards, the before mentioned helmet, hooks and even a few maces! it was amazing, and he gave me a Centaur Forge catalog, and a few back issues of The Hammer's Blow. It was an amzing day, and he was such a nice guy, I had gone to his and his nephew's shop that not knowing what to expect, and was amazed!!!!!!!!! He showed me how to spark test steels, and did a little hand hammer forging, and a little power hammer forging! It was a definite catylising moment in my life. His work was beautiful! As was the work of his once apprentice now master himself. But sadly now he is passed, and at his funeral, there was an article that was written in the paper about him and his nephew's shop, and about a man with a prosthetic leg who came to they're shop one day, having problems with the leg. They diagnosed and fixed the problem and when asked by the man how much he owed them, they said "nothing". When asked during the interveiw why no charge, they said "How can you charge a guy for fixing his leg!?". They are great guys, I am happy to call them friends. Now his nephew and master smith himself runs the shop. I bought my post vice from him. I try to have the same attitude to anyone when it comes to my life and business, as well as making my own way.