A creative artist works on his next composition because he was not satisfied with his previous one. (Dmitri Shostakovich, Russian composer and pianist) Creative people seem never to be satisfied with their work. We may view their art, hear their music, or read their...
Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. (Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the United States) Yet, sometimes families and friends are separated...
We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. (Albert Schweitzer, medical missionary to Africa) That was Schweitzer’s conclusion after he said, “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an...
Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel. (Author Unknown) Is it possible that we take our blessings for granted without fully appreciating what we enjoy every day? Health, sufficient food, good friends, steady employment—these are all elements of...
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (The Bible) What people really value in life is demonstrated by their activity, their habits, the way they use their resources. We may say that we love God, or we’re altruistic and want to help people who are less...
I wrote earlier about a tree that I touch at the end of the road in our woods. One day, I decided to forgive someone who had hurt me, and what better place than the tree at the end of the road. I now call this tree my “forgiveness tree.” The neat thing about having...
A stumble may prevent a fall. (English proverb) When we stumble and almost fall, it may make our heart skip a beat. We may be shaken up a bit, but it helps to realize that, at least, we didn’t fall down and hurt ourselves. The same can be true in the social world. We...
You can never make the same mistake twice because the second time you make it, it isn’t a mistake; it’s a choice. (Michael Baisden, radio personality) No one is above making mistakes. We all do it. An honest mistake should not discredit an otherwise truthful person....
It’s better for a society to hold strong truths weakly rather than weak truths strongly. (R.R. Reno, magazine editor and former university professor) In a day when many reject the idea of absolute truth, people think almost anything is acceptable if you believe...
Believe in the magic of the season. (On holiday signs) Christmas is three weeks from today, and the holiday season is evident all around us. But, what is so magic about Christmas? Why all the decorations, celebrations, music, gifts, and hoopla? Many will say it’s just...
Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy. (Fred De Witt Van Amburgh, publisher and writer) Van Amburgh also said, “None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude.” In contrast, the grateful person is a...
Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible. (Colin Powell, former US Secretary of State) People who lead must understand their role. Whether a business executive, a labor manager, or a teacher, leaders must...