Plain Speech I know that my plainness of speech makes them hate me, and what is their hatred but a proof that I am speaking the truth? (Socrates, ancient Greek philosopher) In a highly political time (like ours), plain speech is rare. Sometimes very fancy speech hides...
Aging Well Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. (Franz Kafka, late Bohemian novelist) This is not so much a promise of immortality as an observation about growing old with full appreciation of life. As we age, we sometimes become a bit morose,...
Living You better live every day like it's your last because one day you're going to be right. (Ray Charles, late American singer, songwriter) Most of us probably don’t live with that thought in mind very often. We go about living as if there is no end to it. We...
Plans #2 We are all faced with a series of great opportunities disguised as impossible situations. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author) “To do or not to do” might be the question when we have to decide about an opportunity that comes with difficult complications. The...
Plans #1 The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. (Robert Burns, 18th century Scottish poet) This oft-repeated axiom was no doubt inspired by the poet’s having experienced or witnessed the truth he writes about. Careful and strategic planning is important,...
Attitude Attitude is the ‘little’ thing that makes a big difference. (Winston Churchill, late British prime minister) Your attitude determines how you respond when the boss gives you a new assignment. Do you jump at it heartily because you like the assigned task? Or...
Life Time and time again I find myself talking to people whose lives appear to be lived purely on the surface. (Gordon MacDonald, 19th century Scottish author) He further describes such people as having “no idea about what is happening at all.” If that was true in his...
Value Knowledge isn’t free. You have to pay attention. (David Heymann, American doctor) Education is expensive. Whether it’s public schools financed by taxes or private education with tuition, it’s all very costly. But Heymann wasn’t referring to financial cost. He...
Light I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars. (Og Mandino, American author) Light was an early part of God’s creation (Genesis 1), and it is difficult to imagine what life would be like without it....
For Others Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another. (Kristin Adair, former elementary teacher) We live in a hurting world—whether it’s war overseas or neighborhood lawlessness. We all have...
Sharing A problem shared is a problem halved. (Chris Suitt, pastor) Suitt goes on to say, “This is NOT a sign of weakness, but of strength.” Sharing a problem with a close friend may not immediately solve the difficulty, but your burden will likely seem a little less...
Failure #2 Failure is a part of life. It’s what you do with the failure that matters. (Daniel Marquez, Investment advisor) We’ve all had our failures—from failing grades to blowing lines in a play; from losing a big contract to letting our friends down—we've all been...