Was Thomas Edison a happy man? I believe he was; he spent his life doing exactly what he want- ed and was rewarded with an astounding list of achievements. Cookie dough warmth is not at the opposite


end of the scale from “radiant-white-light,” the other end of the scale is “radiant-white-heat.” I remember as a young man hiking into Colorado’s Rocky Mountains for a few days of great fishing. After hours of walking and, hopefully, a few hours of great fishing we would set-up camp, build a fire, make coffee and roast a few trout. We would sit around the fire talking and laughing about the day’s events, and thoroughly enjoy our- selves. For those of you that have ever built a campfire you already know that the fire must be just the right size, if it’s too small everyone is cold as the nighttime mountain air cools. If the fire is too large everyone has to sit far away or risk getting burned. This is how I see any relation- ship with my ex-coworker Frank, either stay back or get burned; his torch burned with “radiant- white-heat” but produced very little light. Some may well disagree with my statement


that Frank may be destined to spend the rest of his life alone and miserable; with counseling, with proper medication, or with psychiatric help per- haps he might be cured. I believe that Frank and those who are similar to him in nature have one thing in common with Thomas Edison and those who are similar in nature to him. I don’t believe either group can be cured, because I don’t believe either group is sick. I believe nature has genetical- ly dealt us the personality with which we will go through life. If my simplistic analogy with the torch bears


any resemblance with the truth, then, what does it all mean? Those who are filled with sufficient light to see the way to fulfilling their dreams and ambitions are probably not devoid of warmth but may also have little time for anything but striving for the results they seek and therefore may seem cool and distant. I believe our corporate offices, institutions of higher learning, medical centers, scientific laboratories, research centers and the like are filled with people whose “torches” burn with bright light. Our prisons, perhaps, hold a dis- proportionate percentage of heat producing people like Frank.


But what about the rest of us: those that fall


somewhere between Frank and Thomas Edison? We all enjoy the warmth of close friends and fam- ily; and, of course, there is no reason not to sur- round ourselves with people that give us that comfort and enjoyment. But, from my own expe- rience, I now recognize a problem that is perhaps inherent to us all. During my life I have often turned to those whom I am closest for advice, and as a result I have received and I’m sure dispensed, a fair share of questionable advice. And the ad- vice isn’t always the worst part; sometimes the worst part is hearing: “Well it was your idea.” I have now decided not to ask for advice from fam- ily or friends without first running a mental image of their torch. Does it shine with light, as well as warmth? If not, then perhaps I should seek advice elsewhere. And I’m remembering the old saying that goes: “If you’re getting free advice, just re- member that it’s probably worth every penny you’re paying for it.” Now, just one last thing: If there is someone


like Frank in your life, someone with a hot tem- per, someone that you fear; please do not seek advice from someone who will tell you what you wish to hear. Seek advice from someone who will tell you what you need to hear. Your safety and perhaps even your life may depend on it.


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