Imitation What we revere, we resemble, either for our ruin or our restoration. (Gregory K. Beale, seminary professor) When children or teenagers begin to “idolize” an athlete, an actor, or a musician, they often begin to dress like the admired one and mimic their...
Giving For it is in giving that we receive. (Francis of Assisi) It’s two weeks until Christmas so it’s a good time to think about your giving and why you give. Consider Assisi’s remark. By giving gifts of love, you will experience the joy of sharing with family and...
Forgiveness The only thing evil can’t stand is forgiveness. (Fred “Mister” Rogers, late television personality) We see evil in lots of ways—anger, bullying, verbal abuse, and more. Have you ever noticed that when you respond to such behaviors in the same manner, it...
Kindness Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They’re underused. (Tommy Lee Jones, actor) It seems that Jones’ observation is all too true. In today’s overly-politicized society, there is almost a complete lack of basic courtesy among people of different...
Change If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. (Maya Angelou, late American poet) There are always things that displease us, things we’d like to change. But many times we can’t do much to bring about the change we want....
Mistakes A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong… (Alexander Pope, 18th century English poet) Why is it so difficult for us to admit we’ve made a mistake? We seem quick to make excuses or place blame elsewhere, when it would be more helpful just...
Contentment The content of the mind determines the contentment of the heart. (Gladys Deloe, entrepreneur) Is it possible in a topsy-turvy world like ours to be content? Whether it’s international relations, national or local politics, or personal associations, there...
Promises We must not promise what we ought not, lest we be called on to perform what we cannot. (Abraham Lincoln) Lincoln had a lot of defeats in his political career before he finally reached the U.S. pinnacle, President of the United States. We might wish that his...
Christmas Is Coming Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. (Norman Vincent Peale, late Positive-thinking author) Though Christmas is still three weeks away, we’ve seen yard displays and houses decorated with...
The True Gift Having the opportunity to give is never a burden, but always a blessing. (Christine Trier, recent college graduate) Our mailboxes (emails too) are filled with requests for money. The needs are everywhere: the poor, the disadvantaged, the non-profits; so...
Kindness Always show more kindness than seems necessary because the person receiving it needs it more than you will ever know. (quoted by Colin Powell, retired General and Secretary of State) Can you love too much or be too kind? If love means more than mere...
Failure Failure is not a reason to give up. Failure is a reason to try harder and seek new solutions. (Jim Hocking, NGO entrepreneur) No one starts out on a project or in an athletic contest with the intent to fail. But, in the regular activities of living, working...