We, here at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, plan many
displays, posts, and events to bring people into the building to get them to
engage with us and our collection. We have placed suggestion boxes around the
building hoping for some kind of meaningful feedback. Sadly, many times these efforts attract
little attention until something serendipitous happened. An empty box marked “Free” began one smart aleck staff member commenting to another smart aleck staff member, “What is
free, Life Lessons?” and scribbled the
words “ life lessons “ on the top of the box.
Amazingly patrons began to place their life lessons in the box. This plain cardboard box receives more
comments than all of the suggestion boxes located in the library combined. People
will stand around the box writing their bits of wisdom on scraps of paper,
others will pick through and read each scrap of paper and place them back into
the box for the next person. This box
has been emptied three times in the last month and within a couple of days it was
filled again. Yes, there are many clichés, quotes and song lyrics but people
are stopping to take the time to impart these bits of wisdom. What does it mean? I cannot venture to guess, but below is a
sample of some of the life lessons left by the patrons of Thomas Branigan
Memorial Library.
- Every action has a Consequence.
- To thine own self be true.
- Las Moscas no entran en boca cerrada. (Flies do not enter a closed mouth).
- A grain of rice can be the difference between defeat and victory! Mulan
- Treat others the way you want to be treated.
- Shoot for the moon if you miss you’ll land amongst the stars.
- Why follow your dreams. When you can make it a reality.
- Obey your parents, and learn to spell.
- F@#$ what everybody says just be you and everything gonna be alright.
- Do something great with your life it will pay off in time.
- A cynic is a disappointed idealist.
- Live life like there is no tomorrow.
- Reading makes you smart.
- Never say never.
- Live long and prosper.
- It’s ok to cry. Just make sure that when you’re done you never cry for the same reason; you are stronger than you know.
- Can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all.
- Shine at your house 1st then shine outside.
- The essence and value of life is found in the small and great daily moments we all live.
- An elephant never forgets where she left her trunk.
- Never underestimate your enemy!
- Your children are your greatest gift cherish every moment.
- You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.
- Smile.
EV