Earlier this week I started reading Sidney Poitier’s Life Beyond Measure, Letters to My Great-Grandaughter and I recalled hearing Mr. Poitier’s beautiful honorary Oscar acceptance speech during the 74th Annual Academy Awards. His humility, his appreciation for his fellows and his pride in his work made a lasting impression on me. Mr. Poitier is truly a class act; impressive and stylish elegance flow from him like effervescent waters from a spring.
Thank you, Mr, Poitier! I am reminded by your lovely words to take the time to speak eloquently, to choose my words carefully and not to be afraid of silence. You have met the great challenges in your life with assurance, with power and with grace.
My dear readers, remember these simple thoughts as you move through your day:
1. Cursing and complaint destroy the delicate fabric of life.
2. Blessing and commendation are the cornerstones of creative achievement.
3. Lamentation and despair make for good poetry, but praise and cheerfulness make for a good life.
4. Humility makes great men noble.
Gregory Hake 
Gregg, I’ve been enjoying your blog! Sir Poitier’s tenacity and humanity are certainly worth further consideration. He never compromised the basic, solid principles and ethics in life. When one thinks about the true measure of a man or woman, it ultimately is found in the lives he or she touches, and the spirit and intent of that ‘touch.’
A favorite quote of mine from “Measure of a Man…” causes me to reflect very carefully on the meaning of character, because everything matters! – “Well, I’m no scientist, and certainly I don’t have Carl Sagan’s technical understanding of the universe and our position within it. I simply believe that there’s a very organic, immeasurable consciousness of which we’re a part. I believe that this consciousness is a force so powerful that I’m incapable of comprehending its power through the puny instrument of my human mind. And yet I believe that this consciousness is so unimaginably calibrated in its sensitivity that not one leaf falls in the deepest of forests on the darkest of nights unnoticed.”
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I listened to this book of Mr. Poitier’s a few months back and I have to agree with Brad’s comment that hearing HIS voice was powerful and impactful. The sincerity and genuineness in his voice radiates the true love at the depth of who he is.
This is a great reminder of his words and also wonderful to take Gregg’s thoughts in, along with each of the other comments, and allow them to uniquley generate something new within each of us as we go about the challenges and opportuniotes in our lives.
Thank you!
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He has quite a presence, doesn’t he? His ability to overcome adversity is perhaps only topped only by his humility! Thank you, Brenda.
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Mr. Potier’s words are powerful and inspiring…….
Mr. Hake’s suggestion to review them…..priceless!!
Thank you for the reminder that we can live as a “civilized” species with compassion and dignity towards all creatures of this planet earth.
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Thank goodness that there is a place for dignity and compassion. Thank you, Char!
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He really is captivating!
I read and then listened to another book of his – The Measure of a Man – I had to listen to it because I wanted to hear HIS voice thru the words – powerful!
When you really take a look at the challenges Sidney faced growing up and working his way “into” the film/acting industry it’s simply amazing – what persistance, what determination, what Character – wow!
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Praise for Gregg Hake’s blog! My son forwarded your link to me as a resource for our senior community’s computer club. We recently launched a blogging workshop as a way for seniors to connect with a larger world and keep their mental capacities activated. Your blog is a perfect example of how a forum for sharing experience, observation and information can and should bring out the best in bloggers and readers of all ages. Keep up the great posts!
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Hi Gregg,
I belong to a book club that chooses it’s books with one criteria, that it adds to our humanity. We read all genres; biography, history and even fiction.
We have added your blog to our discussions. You have already referenced many of the books we have read. We love your commentary on them and look forward to adding your complementary analysis to our discussions.
thanks, well done!
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Here’s a quote, where Poitier speaks about why he wrote his book: “I have no wish to play the pontificating fool, pretending that I’ve suddenly come up with the answers to all life’s questions. Quite that contrary, I began this book as an exploration, an exercise in self-questing. In other words, I wanted to find out, as I looked back at a long and complicated life, with many twists and turns, how well I’ve done at measuring up to the values I myself have set.”
It really is important to understand what your values are and to live by them. I really liked the four points that you recommended – great start to the morning!
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