Dream Wisely

Everyone wants to be the next Bill Gates or, in my case, the next Stephen King. Yet, no one wants to take credit for turning ketchup green or inventing New Coke.

This reminds me of a man named Charles Ponzi, who has become notorious for one of histories biggest “get rich quick” scandals.

Ponzi was born in Italy in 1882 and at the age of 21 left to find his fortune in North America. He first landed in Boston and then moved to Canada, but because of fraudulent behavior spent a few sordid years in jail. Always on the move, he developed tremendous survival skills. Eventually, he left Canada for the United States and as was his tendency, got caught up in an elaborate scheme to bring illegal aliens into the country resulting in more prison time. However, though difficult to fathom, there was another side to Ponzi, the swindler, who would lend aid to those in need. For example, in Canada he helped a poor family get back on their feet and on another occasion, gave 50 inches of his own skin for a burn victim.

By late 1919, Ponzi, ever clever and charismatic, had now constructed a legal scheme of buying and selling International Reply Coupons that could earn him 230% profit, before expenses, on every $1. He soon began to entice thousands of investors with the promise of 50% return on their investment in 45 days. Over the next seven months, Ponzi collected roughly $8 million which is approximately $100 million today.

His success was fleeting and by August 1920, the government had caught up to him as they proved that Ponzi had been repaying investors with money from more recent investors and was arrested. The move had long been called "Robbing Peter to Pay Paul," but would henceforth be known as a “Ponzi Scheme”. Convicted, he was sentenced to five years in federal prison, spending the rest of his life in and out of jail. At one point in his later life, he returned to Italy to swindle Mussolini’s government and was forced to flee to South America. Ultimately, he died penniless in a Brazilian charity hospital, a dreamer without a good exit strategy and a penchant for taking other people’s money.

He once said of himself, "I landed in this country with $2.50 in cash and $1 million in hopes, and those hopes never left me." So let us make no pretenses about Ponzi, he was a notorious con man and someone who took horrible advantage of others. But, I believe, he is someone we all can learn a great deal.

For instance:
-Success gained improperly is failure
-Don’t take shortcuts.
-Make right choices every day
-Always remain honest
-Never lend your name to a scandal
-Dream wisely

“What is right is often forgotten by what is convenient” - Bodie Thoene

Swavel

Something Divine

“To err is human, to forgive is divine.” Some things are very difficult to forgive and in some people’s opinions almost unforgivable. For a long time, I struggled to forgive the person who caused the accident that forever changed our lives. So in attempt to put the issue to rest I wrote the person an open ended letter, to a fellow human being I would like to offer some hope.

After many failed attempts to find the right words, below is the final draft:

To whom it may concern,

For the most part I forgave you a long time ago, but there were times when I would become angry when I passed the scene of the accident. For many years I could forgive the actual act, but had a hard time understanding how someone could not stop. I don’t mean to be blunt, just honest.

A few years ago, while driving with my brother-in-law, Ed, we drove through that intersection. When I became irritated Ed addressed the situation. He asked me why I was so upset since I didn’t know why the person kept going. There could be many reasons why the driver didn’t stop. Maybe they had trouble with the law or were under the influence or they were simply too scared to stop. All plausible answers might I add.

To my shame, I had thought you a coward and for that I apologize. Who am to judge? From that moment on I have sought to give you the benefit of the doubt. I choose to look for the good. It’s easy to say what I would have done had the shoe been on the other foot, but if I’m totally honest, I simply don’t know.

Yes, my future was dramatically changed from how I envisioned it, but I have chosen to accept the change and become better because of it. My hope is that you have been able to do the same. Someday I hope to meet you and be able to put a face to the person I have prayed for, for so long.

Sincerely with deepest hopes you can accept my forgiveness,

Swavel

“I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.” ~ Groucho Marx