Dear Rotarians and Friends,
Last month, Nora MacLellan posted the following. It reminded me of the Four-Way Test. I’m sharing it with you:
In Ancient Greece, Socrates had a great reputation of wisdom. One day, someone came to find the great philosopher and said to him:
- Do you know what I just heard about your friend?
- A moment, replied Socrates. Before you tell me, I would like to test you on the three sieves.
- The three sieves?
- Yes, continued Socrates. Before telling anything about the others, it's good to take the time to filter what you mean. I call it the test of the three sieves. The first sieve is the TRUTH. Have you checked if what you're going to tell me is true?
- No, I just heard it.
- Very good! So, you don't know if it's true. We continue with the second sieve, that of KINDNESS. What you want to tell me about my friend, is it good?
- Oh, no! On the contrary.
- So, questioned Socrates, you want to tell me bad things about him and you're not even sure they're true? Maybe you can still pass the test of the third sieve, that of UTILITY. Is it useful that I know what you're going to tell me about this friend?
- No, really.
- So, concluded Socrates, what you were going to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor useful. Why, then, did you want to tell me this?
Coming up this Wednesday
This will be our last Wednesday meeting of the year!
The famous Mark Twain Middle School Bell Ringers will be here to perform! Family and Friends are welcome!
Here’s a link from when they visited our club 10 years ago:
https://youtu.be/Ip4LFr43UyQ
Also, The BIRTHDAY FAIRY will be at hand to celebrate our December Birthdays!
Upcoming events
Friday December 16: Gift Wrapping Party
Monday December 19: Santa Tour
Wednesdays December 21 and 28: NO MEETING
Wednesday January 4: Gift Exchange - White Elephant fun: wrap that unwanted gift you received at Christmas and bring it to the meeting!
Reagan Library Visit
Lucy Wegner wrote:
17 club members and 4 additional family members trekked to Simi Valley on Saturday to visit the Reagan Library. It was lots of fun and informative. Highlights included Reagan’s Air Force One aircraft and a special exhibit of Christmas trees for every US state and territory. Afterwards, many of us had a Mexican feast at a Thousand Oaks restaurant. There are plenty of pictures on Facebook if you want to take a look. Join us next time!
Venice High Interact Club
Last week, The Venice High School Interact Club volunteered at the Angel City celebration and helped with toy and clothing distribution. The next day, they all went together shopping for Adopt-A-Family.
As Ray Morales says: These kids rock!
Last but not least
As we all busy ourselves with service projects during this Holiday season, Let’s remember Dr King’s words, quoted by our International Rotary President Jennifer Jones:
“Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.”
