MY PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE

My philosophy of life can best be summarized by my beliefs on several subjects:

On God:

I believe in the Apostles Creed.  I believe in God for several reasons.  First, my mother told me there was a God when I was a child.  Secondly, when I have occasionally had doubts of His existence, I was always influenced by the fact that millions and millions of people have believed in God for thousands of years. and how could such a belief hold for so long if it were not true.  And, lastly, I have talked to Him and although I have never heard a voiced reply, I always know that He heard me and will answer me in His way.  I believe in the literal translation of the Bible’s New Testament; although I suspect some of the Old Testament is not necessarily 100% literal but, instead, was man’s interruption or understanding of what may have taken place.

On Church:

I believe that the church is all-inclusive including all religions who believe in God.  However, I believe that only those who believe that Jesus Christ was the son of God and accept Him as their Savior will be accepted into heaven.  I believe that church attendance is important.  It is especially critical for young children so they can learn God’s word, the Bible stories, and receive a basic understanding about God.  However, I do not believe that it is absolutely necessary for Christian adults.  In other words, I think a person can be a Christian and live a life for Christ without “perfect” church attendance.  My father, who did not attend church regularly during the latter years of his life, is a prime example.

On Tolerance

I abhor intolerance, racism, and bigotry of any kind....whether race, religion, culture, or whatever.  I believe all men are created equal in God’s eyes and should be so accepted.  I believe African-Americans have been subject to discrimination far too long.  I do not believe they should receive “special” treatment, but are entitled to a “level playing field”.

On Patriotism

Every citizen should love and support his country.  If there is some aspect of it that you do not care for, the proper way to change it is through the petition or election process.  Failing in that, in the democratic way where the majority rules, live with it!  In case of national emergency, every citizen should support his government including bearing arms if called upon.  Also, I believe our flag and national anthem should be respected in the traditional manner (i.e., hats off, stand at attention with hand over heart, and with quiet respect).

On Politics:

I believe each person should carefully study and consider the various political party’s platform, promises and policies, consider who the supporters are for each party and/or candidate and decide if you want to be identified with them, and then make a decision as to whom to support.  Usually, a person will not find a perfect fit and must chose the party or candidate who comes closest to his beliefs.

On Elections:

It is every citizens duty and obligation to vote.  As Edmund Burke said “All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”.  I have voted in every presidential election (and most others) since I became eligible to vote.  It is the only method for everyone’s voice to be heard.  And one vote DOES make a difference.

On Crime and Punishment:

I believe “if you do the crime you must do the time” and that there should be no easy or quick parole for convicted criminals.  Nor should there be “country club” prisons.  I also believe in capital punishment for those crimes which involve treason, murder of law enforcement officers, multiple murders, and premeditated “horrible” murders.  (I do not know of a single case where a murderer who was put to death came back and murdered again!)

On Abortion:

I believe abortion is acceptable in cases of rape, incest, and for the saving of the mother’s life.  On all other abortions, I accept the right of the woman’s choice; although I would prefer the baby be carried to birth and then given for adoption as a better choice.

On Gun Control:

Although I was raised with several guns in our house and I presently have a small 25 cal pistol in my home, I am for “reasonable” gun control.  By “reasonable”, I mean that hand guns and target/hunting guns should be allowed for adults who have no record of crime or violence.  However, I am against anyone (except law enforcement officers or members of the armed forces) having automatic weapons, machine guns, hand grenades, and other such human killing weapons.

On Ethics

I believe in good ethics in business, government, and the home.  I do not approve of the ethic violations in today’s government by either political party and certainly not of the “millionaire” role model professional athletes.  The Texas Instruments policy on ethics which I helped formulate, states that good ethics is a major ingredient in good business and that, like Caesar’s wife, all transactions should avoid even the appearance of wrong-doing.  In addition, I believe in the old adage that a “man’s word is his bond” and that commitments made to any and all should be kept even if means a financial loss.

On Child Abuse:

I do not believe in child abuse; however, I do believe that when children reach an age where they should know wrong from right (maybe 6 or so) and other forms of correction have not worked, that a good spanking might be in order!

On Compliance with Laws:

I believe that EVERY law should be obeyed...even ones that you may not like.  Either obey it, or get it changed!  This includes laws regarding homicide, drugs, taxes, assault, immigration, down to traffic laws.  And, yes, I admit to not abiding by all traffic laws (although three speeding tickets during my entire my life is not excessive and I sometimes run a stop light as no one is perfect!)

On Work

I believe that a person should enjoy his work and if it becomes otherwise, he should change jobs.  However, I strongly believe that no one should ever resign or quit a job until after he has another lined up.  I believe in giving your employer an honest days work  And I believe that “office politics” should  be avoided.

On Family Values

I believe that the family is all-important and it is a parent’s responsibility to raise the child in accordance with the highest moral and ethical standards.  I believe that the love within a family should be over-flowing and without jealousy, envy or bickering.  Grudges and unintentional “slights” should be resolved quickly.

As I try to “practice what I preach”, I realize that all of you will not agree with everything I believe.  I have no problem with that as I agree with your right to disagree and I will respect your opinion..

GRANDPA’S PROFILE

On Fridays, the Dallas Morning News has a Plano section serving Collin County.  One of the features in this section is “Inside Plano” which profiles a Plano community leader with a series of questions.  I thought it might be of interest if I profiled myself in the same way using their questions::

William B. Collings

Community activities:  Vice President, NETWORK of Community Ministries; member, Richardson City Sign Control Board, member, First Presbyterian Church

Occupation:  Retired Purchasing Manager from Texas Instruments

Birthplace:  Rockville, IN

Family:  Wife, Lonnie, 3 sons John, Doug, and David, and 6 beautiful grandchildren

The guests at my fantasy dinner party would be:  My father and mother and Jesus

My hobbies are:  My family, travel, duplicate bridge and TV sports.

The last book I read was:  Richard Nixon by Herbert S. Parmet (actually, I haven’t read it as yet.  I plan to read it as soon as I finish “Grandpa’s Story”).

My favorite possessions are:  my family

The biggest honor I have received:  Lonnie’s acceptance of me as her husband

My favorite performer is: A tie between Jim Cullum’s and Banu Gibson’s jazz bands.

I wish I knew how to:  play dixieland jazz on either the clarinet or trombone

I would never:  bungee jump

My all-time favorite movie is:  Gone With the Wind

My all-time favorite television show is:  Law and Order

Nobody knows I:  Buy a candy bar each time I fill the car with gasoline

I drive a:  1994 Oldsmobile 98 Regency

If I could, I would drive a: 1997 Oldsmobile 98 Regency

My favorite junk food is:  A York mint chocolate candy bar

My favorite restaurant is:  Monkok Chinese Restaurant

My favorite motto is:  Yard by yard, life is hard.  Inch by inch, it’s a cinch.

For my last meal, I would chose:  pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn on the cob, peas, fried morel mushrooms, jello salad, and a baked two-crust strawberry pie

My teenage idol was:  Louis Armstrong

My favorite magazine is:  Time (which I have subscribed to since my college days (except for when I was overseas and then I bought the Asian edition at the newsstands)

My ideal vacation would be:  sun, sand, and surf at some South Pacific island

I wish I could sing like:  Jack Teagarden

I’m happiest when:  I have my family with me

I regret:  the times that my sarcastic sense of humor hurt someone’s feelings.

I’m tired: of:  spending so much time (and money) with doctors and hospitals

I have a phobia about:  inefficiency

If I won the lottery, the most extravagant thing I would do is:   After making a substantial donation to NETWORK and my church, take my entire family on a round-the-world cruise and then buy each grandchild a new automobile (all the same except for color)

The electrical device I could not live without is:  my television

If I had three wishes, they would be:  peace on earth, elimination of bigotry, and happiness for my family.

In addition to the above, I have added another which is not a part of the Dallas Morning News profile feature:

My most embarrassing moment:   The bathrooms in the Far East are “different”.  They do not have stools.  Instead they have an oval shaped hole flush with the floor which you squat over with a foot on each side.  In addition, there is no toilet paper but a bucket of water and a ladle to cleanse yourself.  I had seen such bathrooms in Singapore, but I had never used one...using instead the western toilet with a stool which all “tourists” bathrooms had.  On my first trip to Japan, I was touring one of TI’s major suppliers with the CEO as my guide of his manufacturing facility.  Along the way, I just had to go to the bathroom (“benjoe” in Japanese).  He directed me to the closest one which happened to be the eastern variety.  I dropped my pants and squatted over the hole and “let go”.  Unfortunately, I had misjudged the location of the hole and dumped on the floor a few inches behind the hole.  Then to add to my problem, there was only enough water to cleanse myself and none for me to clean up the mess.  I quickly shut the door and hurriedly left with my host to complete the tour.  I had to spend the rest of the afternoon at the plant but the episode was never mentioned to me.  The Japanese have their faults, but, thank goodness, for their politeness!

MY ASSESSMENT OF MYSELF

If I was asked to describe my strengths and weaknesses, I would reply:

Weaknesses:

I have a sarcastic sense of humor which sometimes is taken the wrong way.  I “tease” too much.  I am extremely emotional and my tears flow freely, sometimes for rather insignificant reasons.  I am impatient with people when I think they are not trying hard enough or are inefficient.  Although I am not perfect, I expect others around me to be!  I am not a public speaker and do not enjoy speaking before an audience.  I am reserved and quiet and I do not enjoy “small talk” at social gatherings.  I would, no doubt, be classified as an introvert.

Strengths:

In addition to my obvious good looks and intelligence, I believe I am a kind and gentle person who cares deeply for people  I have empathy for the disadvantaged and try to help them.  I have great love for my God, my country, and my family.  I am charitable and give to almost every charity solicitation that I receive.  I believe that I am loyal to my friends.  I am honest and do not cheat in games or in life.  If I make a commitment, I make every effort to fulfill it.  I enjoy “physical labor” although I am not able to do as much as I would like.  I believe that I have had a successful working career and have been able to properly support my family.  I am adventurous and like to travel, try new foods, and do things “different”  I am an “eternal optimist” and always try to see the good in people and events.  And when my sense of humor is not overly sarcastic, I believe I can be quite funny.

A CHALLENGE

 To each of my grandchildren (and my yet unborn great grandchildren), I issue this challenge:

Do your best in whatever you endeavor.  Worship God in the church or denomination of your choice.  Do your very best to follow in His footsteps.  Maintain and continue the Collings’ traditions in citizenship, patriotism, trustworthiness, loyalty, ethics, law compliance, and family values.  Be a good partner and friend to your spouse and raise your children with love as you have been raised.  Be charitable and show compassion and empathy for the disadvantaged.  Follow the Golden Rule: “Love thy neighbor as thy self.”  And, lastly, be good to your mother and father and your grandparents!

AND THAT, DEAR GRANDCHILDREN, IS GRANDPA’S STORY.