I don’t know anyone who has not enjoyed the Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schultz, but did you know what the Charlie Schultz Philosophy is? It was shared by a friend with the Exodus 90 group at dinner. It is better done than explained. Here goes. Try to answer a few questions. Name the five wealthiest people in the world. Name the last five World Cup trophy winners. Name the last five Miss World winners. Name ten Nobel Peace Prize winners. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners. Name the last ten winners of the World Series.
I bet even the Jeopardy champions would have a hard time naming these people, even though they are/were the best in the world. It seems that when they die, so does the memory of them. It is yesterday’s news.
Now try doing this. List a few teachers who helped you through school and life. Name three friends who had your back in difficult times. Name five people who taught you valuable life lessons. Name a few people who made/make you feel loved, appreciated, and special.
Think of five people who you enjoy spending time with. Name three people who welcomed you when you were in a strange or difficult place. I bet that was a lot easier and you don’t have to be a Jeopardy champion to get good answers.
The point is that the people who make the most difference in our lives are not the rich and famous, but ordinary people who love us the most. There are times when we just need someone to notice us, wait for us, go out of their way to help us, affirm us, validate us and listen to us. Sometimes, like all of the time, we need someone to be a friend.
We don’t have to go to foreign lands, be rich, wealthy, well educated, popular, or beautiful to be and do the most important things and be remembered. All of us can be remembered for being a friend. What do friends do? They share Peanuts. Thankyou Charles Schultz.
“May the Lord bless and keep you. May he let his face shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you his peace.”
