Robert Fulghum in 2007

I saw a new article about Robert Fulghum – an author whose words have resonated with me over the years; words that are worth another look as we head for 2008.

Born in 1937, Fulghum is a Texan with a fairly diverse career pattern, including periods as an artist, ditch digger, ranch hand, IBM salesman, teacher and 22 years as a Unitarian Minister. Best known for his 1986 collection, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Fulghum has sold more than 16 million books and has achieved some success as a playwright and raconteur. Personally, I like his homespun style, perhaps a trifle saccharine for UK tastes, but still pithy and to the point – for example, on what he really learned through life.

All I really need to know, I learned in kindergarten.

Clean up your own mess.

Play fair. Don’t hit people. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.

Share everything. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Put things back where you found them.

Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world it is best to hold hands and stick together.

Here’s Fulghum on human relationships – or is he talking about opportunity? You choose.

The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be.

How about these thoughts on the meaning of life.

Making a living and having a life are not the same thing. Making a living and making a life that’s worthwhile are not the same thing. Living the good life and living a good life are not the same thing. A job title doesn’t even come close to answering the question “What do you do?”

and

To be human is to keep rattling the bars of the cage of existence, hollering, “What’s it for?”

and

I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge – That myth is more potent than history – That dreams are more powerful than facts – That hope always triumphs over experience – That laughter is the only cure for grief – and I believe that love is stronger than death.

A reminder that children see through the old adage ‘Don’t do what I do, do what I say’

Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.

Like many of his fellow Americans, Fulghum is apparently concerned about US Militarism and the escalating defence budget.

It will be a great day when our schools have all the money they need, and our air force has to have a bake-sale to buy a bomber.

and

Peace is not something you wish for: It’s something you make, Something you do, Something you are, And something you give away.

This one with apologies to Socrates (“The unexamined life is not worth living“)

The examined life is no picnic.

And, finally

If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire, then you have a problem. Everything else is inconvenience.

and

Sticks and stones will break our bones, but words will break our hearts.

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