Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad. (Anne Geddes, Australian-born photographer) Today is Father’s Day in the USA. We hear a lot today about the absence of fathers in the home, and that, indeed, is a tragedy. But, as Geddes points out, it...
Focus on building others up and they'll be less inclined to tear you down. (Russell L. Martin, Delaware, Ohio, county sheriff) The media increasingly seems to tweet and broadcast jokes and aspersions that border on character assassination. Unfortunately, messages...
At the moment of truth, you will not rise to the level of expectation, but will fall to the level of training. (Paraphrase of Archilochus, 7th century B.C. Greek poet) We are sometimes disappointed when events don’t turn out as expected or, worse, when people don’t...
Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny. (Stephen Covey, educator and author) Note the progressive order of Covey’s observation. You don’t just arrive at a destiny; it begins with an...
I am not the flag: not at all. I am but its shadow. (Franklin Night Lane, 19th-20th century politician) Today is Flag Day in the United States. While some people disrespect the flag today, Lane held it in high esteem, apparently very proud to represent the flag. It’s...
To lead with integrity means we practice what we preach. (Scott Morton, management theorist) Occasionally, we’re tempted to say, “Don’t do what I do, do what I say,” because we realize that we’re not setting a good example for others to follow. Whether it’s in a...
Love works, but you have to work at it. (Carey Nieuwhof, leadership mentor and author) In spring, love is always in the air, but often it’s just a romantic, momentary, passing fancy. True love is an action; it’s acting toward another in his or her best interest...
Culture is never so bad that it can't be redeemed, nor so good that it can't be critiqued. (Timothy Keller, popular preacher and writer) We are often distressed by the degradation of modern society as reflected in coarse language, suggestive media productions,...
A friend can tell you things you don’t want to tell yourself. (Frances Ward Weller, children’s books author) No one likes to be criticized, but all of us need be corrected from time to time. Another writer says, “Truth tellers are tough to hear, but their insight...
A bad attitude is worse than a bad swing. (Payne Stewart, late professional golfer) Payne Stewart was known for his colorful outfits (including knickers), championship-caliber golfing, and a winsome spirit. To a professional or champion amateur athlete, form is...
The time is always right to do right. (Martin Luther King, Jr, late civil rights leader) Timing is everything, they say, from giving the tag line to a good joke to adding the proper ingredient to a gourmet dish. Sometimes, however, we seem to hesitate to say a kind...
No soul is desolate as long as there is a human being for whom it can feel trust and reverence. (George Eliot, pen name for Mary Anne Evans, 19th century English writer) Occasionally, someone will say that he or she feels lonely even when they’re in the middle of a...