The Third Fence Post

"When building fences, the first two posts can be relatively easy. It is the third that can get tough." That's an example of an aphorism. Aphorisms are first cousins to proverbs and maxims, but a little more informal, contemporary and open to humor. Aphorisms make excellent company. They stimulate conversation, make their point without driving hard, and threaten no one. More than anything, they're for enjoyment-for collecting, savoring, and sharing with friends. This collection comes from a writer with long experience counseling people through projects large and small. It covers every kind of topic from marriage to rainbows, upward mobility to houseplants, sleeping pills to sanity to the buying power of the dollar. A few more examples. "Worry is simply a slow leak in one's confidence." "There are still a few vulture genes lingering in some humans." "It's a good thing that political campaign promises are biodegradable." And finally. "There is nothing like a cool glass of solitude and a comfortable place to sit for as little as fifteen minutes to put some of life's problems in proper perspective." If you happen to have a collection of aphorisms in hand, your perspective will be even better!