Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for Feb. 23, 2004

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Feb. 23, 2004 | 8:27 a.m.

Age-old wisdom

Amid all the pre-election hubbub, let's hope the determined Democrats vying for their party's presidential nomination stop and take a long, hard look at the dollars being funneled into their campaign coffers particularly the portrait of George Washington that adorns those bucks.

The current crop of commander-in-chief wannabes as well as the Republican who has been ruling the roost at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. could likely gain some much-needed perspective (and certainly receive a history lesson) by reading the new book "Faith of Our Founding Father: The Spiritual Journey of George Washington" (Hatherleigh Press, $15.95).

Author Janice Connell says even as a lad, Washington displayed "courage and maturity" because of "the early loss of his father." During his teen years, he transcribed in his famous, excellent handwriting the Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, a set of 110 principles with 16th-century origins, which are credited for having played a hand in the formation of Washington's legendary character (his original copy resides in the Library of Congress). Connell has dusted off a sampling of the standards:

If at first you don't succeed ...

Unfortunately, the first half of the last rule pretty much goes against the fundamentals of International Expect Success Month. In case you did not know (and honestly, who does?), that is February. Apparently, we should all be smack-dab in the middle of anticipating bigger and better things for ourselves.

Need assistance in your strive for more? An attitude adjustment may be all that's required, according to the authors of "It's Your Move: Dealing Yourself the Best Cards in Life and Work" (October 2003, Financial Times Prentice Hall, $22.95).

Cyndi Maxey and Jill Bremer are also professional speakers and image consultants who say there's no better time than this month to kick the winter doldrums and get back to work on achieving previously set goals. In other words, resurrect those ridiculous New Year's resolutions and resume torturing yourself.

The writing team also advises against giving up when confronted with "roadblocks." Get back on track, they say, by pausing mid-success-expecting to "take a deep breath while counting to 10." If that doesn't work, create a list in your mind or aloud "of the things you're thankful for in your life."

If your ungrateful self can't come up with anything, take a walk literally or, at the very least, do some stretching exercises. Otherwise, "Do something positive for yourself" (no specific suggestions from the authors as to what activities that could include), or simply "begin again." Here's one to ponder: If you're forced to start over, haven't you failed to succeed? Darn it: another month frittered away.