We are shaped by those things we habitually choose. (Aristotle, 4th century B.C. Greek philosopher) We are constantly making choices, often without much forethought. When we make those choices again and again, they become habits and, as Aristotle suggests, those...
If you want good fruits you gotta have good roots. (from a church-related tweet) Deep, solid, well-nourished roots are essential for healthy plant growth. If the roots are shallow, the tree may be blown over in a storm. If the roots don’t receive sufficient moisture,...
New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time. (James Agate, British diarist and critic) Many people make resolutions, but most of us soon fail in keeping our pledges. Agate even provided a...
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. . . . The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. (Edith Lovejoy Pierce, English-born poet ) Pierce notes that “We are going to put words on [the blank pages] ourselves.” Many events will occur...
Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. (Hal Borland, American author and journalist) It’s New Year’s Eve, for many people a time of unrestrained pleasure and frivolity. In reality, as Borland...
By: Lynda Shadel The best thing about my walk in the woods with Charlie and Wally is that I get away from all the distractions around me. I don’t know about you, but I always have the TV on or music playing—there is continual background noise at home. My walks...
A new year is on the way, and the possibilities are endless. (New Year’s greeting card) We’re about to turn an important corner. The last page on the calendar will be turned tomorrow, and we will put up a calendar with nothing but blank days with numbers. We cannot...
Leadership is . . . leading others to the next level. (Tom Roy, author and sports evangelism founder) When we think of leaders, we often are picturing the end of their pursuit, the goal they wish to achieve. That’s critical, of course, but an equally important facet...
The love of family and the admiration of friends are much more important than wealth and privilege. (Charles Kuralt, late American journalist) During the recent holiday season, many of us enjoyed the extended time with family and friends. And, as Kuralt has said, we...
I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. (Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol) It’s just been two days since that special holiday, and already we’ve likely begun to forget its meaning and joy. But today, Sunday, is another holy day, a day...
Did you ever notice how all the presents are far more interesting before you unwrap them? (Cartoon caption) It’s the day after Christmas, and the cartoon quote is pretty accurate, isn’t it? The anticipation is often more fun than the actual experiencing of opening the...
There has been only one Christmas — the rest are anniversaries. (W. J. Cameron, journalist and publicist) It’s like birthdays. We talk about one day being our birthday, but, of course, it’s only the anniversary of the day we were born. As we celebrate this special...