Forgiving Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves when we offer it to others. (Renee Swope, author) To forgive is one of the most difficult acts we can do. When we‘ve been wronged, we may react in several ways: we can retaliate in an attempt to get even. Or we may try...
Freedom A loving relationship is one in which the loved one is free to be himself. (Leo F. Buscagliai, late motivational speaker) TV personality Oprah Winfrey put it this way, “Don’t’ settle for a relationship that won’t let you be yourself.” Sometimes we seem to be...
A Smile What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. They are but trifles, to be sure but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. (Joseph Addison, 17th-18th century English essayist) Along with rain and good soil, sunshine makes...
True Beauty Beauty is only skin deep, but stupid goes clear to the bone. (Source unknown) This common expression may be humorous, but it carries some strong principles. First, beauty is subjective. After all, beauty is often in the eye of the beholder. We all know you...
Patience in Prayer Answered prayer seems most sweet when long-delayed. (James Gribble, pioneer missionary to central Africa) Impatient as most of us are, we don’t want to wait in line at the coffee bar, and we get antsy when the waitress doesn’t come right away to...
Planning Life is simultaneous, not sequential. (Bruce Barlow, pastor) There are a variety of applications to this idea, but Barlow’s statement is all-encompassing. We say things like: “When summer is over, then . . .” “When the kids are out of school, then . . .”...
Communication Speaking is not always synonymous with communicating. (Roy Angle, cross-cultural worker) “We should not be satisfied with mere talking, but aim for clarity. . . . Speaking is shared words; communicating is shared meaning.” We can all testify to the truth...
Obstacles Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals. (Dorothy Height, late civil rights activist) We often evaluate a person’s success solely on his or her achievements. Whether it’s...
Today What you do today is important, because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. (Heartsill Wilson, automotive executive) Heartsill continues: “I can waste it or use it for good . . . When tomorrow comes, the day will be gone forever, leaving something in...
Chaos or Peace? Chaos is the score upon which reality is written. (Henry Miller, 20th century American writer) It doesn’t take long to learn that life isn’t a smoothly paved road along the way to repeated, fulfilling successes. In addition to the chaos created by...
Awareness Mindfulness isn’t difficult. We just need to remember to do it. (Sharon Saltzberg, author) The purpose of the history department of one liberal arts college, translated from Latin, is “mindful of what has been done, aware of what is possible.” To be aware...
Help Men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why? (James Thurber, 20th century humorist) In the helter-skelter life of today, many of us seem to be running around from place to place or activity to activity, trying to...