| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo: He had only retired to the Marais when he quitted society,
long after attaining the age of eighty.
And, on abandoning society, he had immured himself in his habits.
The principal one, and that which was invariable, was to keep his
door absolutely closed during the day, and never to receive any one
whatever except in the evening. He dined at five o'clock, and after
that his door was open. That had been the fashion of his century,
and he would not swerve from it. "The day is vulgar," said he,
"and deserves only a closed shutter. Fashionable people only light up
their minds when the zenith lights up its stars." And he barricaded
himself against every one, even had it been the king himself.
Les Miserables |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Iron Puddler by James J. Davis: Had I proved unfaithful in my first office I could not have
gone to higher offices. My opponents would have "had something on
me." As secretary of labor, I am called on to settle strikes and
to adjust disputes between employers and employee. I could do
nothing if either side distrusted me. But since both sides
believe me to be honest, they get right down to brass tacks and
discuss the cases on their merits only. Sometimes the employees
ask too much, sometimes the employers. When either side goes too
far I feel free to oppose it.
I approach each problem not only from the economic but from the
human angle. I took my guidance from the words of President
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Dynamiter by Robert Louis Stevenson and Fanny Van De Grift Stevenson: deadly was afoot, I crossed the roadway and drew near the
area railings. There was no one below; the man must
therefore have entered the house, with what purpose I dreaded
to imagine. I have at no part of my career lacked courage;
and now, finding the area gate was merely laid to, I pushed
it gently open and descended the stairs. The kitchen door of
the house, like the area gate, was closed but not fastened.
It flashed upon me that the criminal was thus preparing his
escape; and the thought, as it confirmed the worst of my
suspicions, lent me new resolve. I entered the house; and
being now quite reckless of my life, I shut and locked the
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