The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule but to schedule your priorities. (Steven Covey, American educator and author) Many people in today’s rush-rush world seem to be tied to a schedule with lots of meetings and assignments and very little free time....
Love is measured by what we do, not in the results we see. (Philippe Viguier, French pastor and author) Americans are pretty results-oriented. If we don’t see results from our efforts, we think we have failed. Can we reach out in a spirit of love (such as in the...
At Christmas time in 1974, we were visiting my wife Cynthia’s family in Chinook, Montana, and I had babysitting duty. Our five-month-old son, Spencer, was taking his afternoon nap. Since his birth, I had been asking questions and seeking answers. Who am I? Where am I?...
There is one thing which gives radiance to everything. It is the idea of something around the corner. (G. K. Chesterton, 18th-19th century English writer, philosopher) Life has its ups and downs for all of us. There are times when we feel really low, thinking that...
Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other. (Mark Twain, humorist, author) Everyone will agree, no doubt, that we ought always to do what is right. But, who determines right and wrong? Is there a universal standard, or is ethical...
Our repeated failure to fully act as we would wish must not discourage us. It is the sincere intention that is the essential thing. (Thomas Troward, 19th-20th century English author) Troward goes on to say, “And this [sincere intention] will in time release us from...
Giving answers is easy; asking good questions is the real skill. (Neil Cole, pastor and author) Many times, the best answer to a question is another question that clarifies the issue and helps to discover the inquirer’s perspective. Don’t be too quick to give an...
Communication. It’s the first thing we really learn in life. It’s a line from an episode in a TV sitcom, but it’s worth thinking about. We’ve learned over the years to communicate in a variety of ways: words, gestures, facial expressions, and more. Sometimes, it’s...
Reputation derives its principal support from success. (George Washington, American Revolutionary War general and 1st president of the United States) Washington’s quote must be taken in context, of course. He was likely thinking of the tremendous responsibility he...
A House is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body. (Benjamin Franklin, early American writer of proverbs) A responsible parent or guardian does everything possible to provide for the health of his family by supplying their...
In 1936, Kiichiro Toyoda was granted a license to build cars and trucks in Japan, but the company’s name would not exactly reflect the family name. The number of strokes required to write the name “Toyoda” in Japanese is eight—which in Japanese culture is considered...
One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world. (Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani, youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate) When we look at some of the problems in our world, such as illiteracy or poverty, we often hope for some kind of mega-program that will...