The Guy In The Glass

As a kid I was a fan of Captain Kangaroo, whom I believe was the source of this very interesting quote: "You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool Mom." On this Mother's Day entry, I must say that I am ever grateful for my mom's love... and mercy. I did indeed put her through the wringer, yet she never stopped loving me. Thanks, Mom.

Well, there is another person we don't fool very well, at least when we really look him in the eye. And that is our selves.

I once heard Mike Ditka, former Chicago Bears coach, speak about success and his own life lessons. During his speech his shared the following poem, which he said he'd hung in the locker room (or somewhere where it would become a perpetual reminder of the important message it conveyed.) It's called The Guy In The Glass.

The Guy in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,

And the world makes you King for a day,

Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,

And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife,

Who judgement upon you must pass.

The feller whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the guy staring back from the glass

He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,

For he's with you clear up to the end,

And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test

If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,

And think you're a wonderful guy,

But the man in the glass says you're only a bum

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years

And get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears

If you've cheated the guy in the glass.

Dale Wimbrow, (c) 1934