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Archive for February, 2011

A Dash of Humility

Feb. 23rd 2011

Today is Humble Day. If your first reaction is anything like mine, you’re asking, “Today is WHAT Day?” Your second reaction may be something like, “I’m a wonderful, loveable, talented individual! Why in the world would I want to be humble???”
And thus, I give you:

10 REASONS TO BE HUMBLE:

1. When staying at a bed and breakfast (*cough* The Iris Inn *cough*), humble guests make the innkeepers (and their cleaning staff) much, much happier. And trust me, you want to keep the innkeepers (and their cleaning staff) very happy.

2. “Humble” is an awesome word. Who wouldn’t want to be something that sounds as cool as “humble?” Humble. Humble.

3. On a more serious note, humility allows your step back and examine your own weaknesses.

4. Sometimes you like to brag about how great you are at something. And then you epically fail at that something. And it would have been way less embarrassing if you had been more humble about that something.

5. Pride is a common trait, whereas humility is unique. You don’t want to be common, now, do you?

6. There is always someone better than you. That in itself should be a humbling thought.

7. Your accomplishments are not due to your efforts alone. You have had teachers throughout your entire life, influencing you in ways you may not even realize. Humility gives them their due credit.

8. Humility allows you to appreciate the little things, which in turn, allows for a richer life experience.

9. Pride can hinder potential. Think about all the things you refuse to do because you believe you’re too good for them.

10. Lastly, humility exhibits gratitude for what we have been given. Pride is an innately selfish characteristic.

I know it’s terribly difficult to surrender such vast pride in your abilities, but at least try to step out of that self-contained bubble of awesomeness. I promise if you add a dash of humility, the soup of life will be much more flavorful. (Yeah, ok, that’s a lame metaphor, but hopefully you get the idea.)

©2008-2011 ~touch-the-flame

Posted by Tara Stoll | in Uncategorized | No Comments »

2,700 Books, a Slow Learner, and a Gambling Son

Feb. 21st 2011

Presidents’ Day provides us with yet another reason to smile proudly and describe why the Iris Inn is so fantastic. Today’s reason? The Iris Inn is within reasonable driving distance of the homes of four previous U.S. Presidents. Not one, not two, not even three, but FOUR presidents’ homes. (I know you’re impressed. Try to contain that excitement before someone starts thinking you’re weird.)

And now, I present to you a list of random facts about these former presidents and their homes. This is fun stuff, so sit back and enjoy:

Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson’s personal library at Monticello contained 2,700 books that later became a big part of the Library of Congress. Aristotle’s Politico, read by Jefferson just before his death July 4, 1826, was lost to scholars for over 130 years, until discovered last week at Washington University in St. Louis.

Ash Lawn-Highland, home of James Monroe
Ash Lawn-Highland occupies 535 acres and is currently a farm, a museum, and a performance site for the College of William and Mary. It is located only two and a half miles from Monticello. James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson were close friends, and Jefferson helped with some of the architectural design of Ash-Lawn Highland.

The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum
For the first ten years of his life, Woodrow Wilson couldn’t read (ironic considering so many people now visit his library). Many people now suspect that he had an undiagnosed learning disability. However, this did not hinder his achievements, because so far, he is the only U.S. president to hold a doctorate.

Montpelier, home of James Madison (and his wife Dolley)
After James Madison died, his wife Dolley had to sell Montpelier to pay off her son’s gambling debts. Also, the Marquis de Lafayette gave the Madisons a Cedar of Lebanon tree as a gift, and to this day, that tree still stands out in front of the house.

Now that you’ve become experts (sort of) on these four places, you should book a room at the Iris Inn, then head out for some presidential adventures.

Posted by Tara Stoll | in History | No Comments »

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