An aphorism? But what's that?

   “Aphorism.” Unusual word. Certainly not an everyday word. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines it as “a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment.” Close to “maxim,” but not quite. Close to “axiom,” but not quite. Close to “saying,” but that’s generic for all of these.

   “A good trip opens the mind by casting doubt on old notions.” This is an aphorism – one that I wrote. There are many in my book. I wrote all of them. The only exception is one on Page 2, by Mark Twain: "Travel is fatal to prejudice." I considered it so true and so appropriate that I felt I must include it.

   Truth is, the writing of them was unusual. You may enjoy hearing about it. I was at a Sunday afternoon concert with milady Annabelle at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. It’s just a few miles from where I live, and we attend concerts there whenever we can.

   The Academy is the Coast Guard’s proud version of the Navy’s Annapolis. It has a beautiful campus, on a hill above the broad Thames River. The Coast Guard Band is a superb group, with top-notch musicians. It performs full-scale concerts of classical and popular music, to full houses, both at the Academy and on the road, at venues all over the country and sometimes beyond. Its musicians have varied musical interests. They are encouraged to indulge their special interests in a jazz group, a chamber group, and other groups. These groups perform at public concerts at the Academy, and at times outside.

   This day's concert featured a chamber music group, and attendance was sparse, sad to say, but we weren't surprised. We sat alone in the first balcony with milady Annabelle, with a good view of the stage. To me concerts are much more than an auditory pleasure. They're a visual pleasure. So exciting to watch the musicians at their art. So much beauty in their synchronized movements. The lights dimmed and the music began. Beautiful. Marvelous. The musicians were in high form.

   Suddenly an idea came to me. It was about traveling. Not surprising. I was writing my book, and the book dominated my subconscious. I felt I must preserve the idea. Ideas can be so fleeting. I groped and found my pad and pen. I jotted it down. It was so dark that it was hard to see what I was writing.

   What was the inspiration I was so intent on saving? "Break bread with a stranger and you may get up with a new friend." Yes, I liked that thought. It was an aphorism! Then I had another. And another. It was all so exciting. By the end of the concert I had 30 of them. How can I explain something so remarkable? The mystical power of music! Later, as I reviewed them, I got the idea of including them in my book. Yes, I tweaked them a bit. I hope you will enjoy them, and maybe find an insight that will inspire you.

   Here are three more.

• If you’re not making your life an adventure, you’re short-changing yourself.
• The difference between a stranger and a friend may be a simple hello.
• On the road, you may make someone happy by handing him a dollar. Very nice. The pay-off may be greater if you hand him a bit of praise or encouragement.

   All the others await you in the book. Consider them a mental snack at the end of each chapter.

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