72 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • APRIL 2020
THE GREATEST SUCCESS IN THE WORLD
The Ninth Commandment of Success
Thou Must Never Forget That It
Is Always Later Than Ye Think.
Remember that the black camel of
death is always near. Abide always with
the thought that you will not live
forever. Such is the irony of life that
this knowledge, alone, will enable you
to taste the sweetness of each new day
instead of bemoaning the darkness of
your nights.
All of us have been dying, hour by
hour, since the moment we were born.
Realizing this, let all things be placed in
their proper perspective so that thine
eyes will be opened until you see that
those mountains which threaten you
are only anthills and those beasts which
seek to devour you are only gnats.
Live with death as your companion but
never fear it. Many are so afraid to die
that they never live. Have compassion
for them. How can they know that the
happiness of death is concealed from
us so that we might better endure life?
Imagine that you are called away
forever, tonight. Shed tears now, while
you are able, for that day of play you
promised your family last week, and the
week before, a day of love and laughter
you were always too busy pursuing gold
to enjoy. And now they have your gold,
it is true, but with all of it they cannot
buy even a fleeting moment of your
smile.
Shed tears now, while your heart still
beats, for the flowers you will never
smell, the good deeds you will never do,
the mother you will never visit, the
music you will never hear, the pains you
will never comfort, the tasks you will
never complete, the dreams you will
never realize.
Remember that it is always later than
you think. Fasten this warning deep in
your mind, not for sorrow's sake but to
remind yourself that today may be all
you have.
Learn to live with death but never flee
from it.
For if you die, you will be with God.
And if you live, He will be with you.
❖ Chapter 19❖
I hope you and those you love are well.
I would like to share with all my family, friends, colleagues and all Americans these simple words
from my favorite chapter in my favorite book.
The words place in perspective the moment we all are experiencing, whether we are secluded
alone in our homes, or working closely with others to provide comfort, or worrying about loved
ones who live far away. Once this crisis passes and we begin to recover, let us not forget “to taste
the sweetness of each new day…”
I hope you will save these words so you can read them again a month from now or later this year,
and for any time that arises much later when we as a nation or any of us as individuals need to be
reminded to “let all things be placed in their proper perspective..”
Please be safe.
James C. Metzger
Chairman / CEO
Jim
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
