Daily Stop & Thinks

Success without successors is failure. (Hans Finzal, author and speaker)

We probably all know of businesses or charitable ventures that reached great success until the founder/leader died or retired. The successors were never capable of maintaining the growth, and the venture either diminished or shut down. Finzal’s statement provides another gauge of success. You haven’t been successful unless your successor is successful, also.

The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher (Luke 6:40).

There’s no point to living life unless you make history . . . and the best way to make history is to help others. (Ben Platt, American actor)

It’s not surprising, perhaps, that an actor would seek to make history. He may wish to win an Oscar or perform so well that he is acclaimed worldwide for his Thespian skills. Yet, Platt notes how best to live a worthy and fruitful life: “help others.” Rather than seek fame the really accomplished person will be engaged, and be noted for, his service to his fellow men.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10). Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

The only certain means of success is to render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be. (Og Mandino, late American author)

Too many of us are satisfied with less than our best effort. We try to do well, but we may have fallen prey to the “menace of mediocrity.” That is, we do only what we are supposed to do—no more, no less. If our work is good enough to get by, why spend more energy or effort to do more. As Mandino implies, that effort will never achieve great success. Work harder!

All hard work brings a profit (Proverbs 14:23). Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. (John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States)

To have an attitude of gratitude is to do more than just say “Thank You,” although we should do that often. As Kennedy suggests, it’s not the words we express but the demonstration of our gratitude that is the best witness of our feelings toward someone who has blessed us. Put some thought into how best to thank someone for their kindness.

Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I urge . . . that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people (1 Timothy 2:1).

You must master your time rather than becoming a slave to the constant flow of events and demands on your time. (Brian Tracy, Canadian-born American self-improvement author)

Although life spans will differ, we are all given the same number of days in a week, hours in a day, and minutes in an hour. Once we reach a certain age or maturity, and, assuming a level of good health, how we use those minutes, hours, and days is entirely up to us. Let’s learn to value our time even more highly than we value material wealth.

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-17).

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. (Michael Altshuler, social worker and therapist)

William Ernest Henley wrote something similar in the noted poem Invictus: “I am the captain of my soul.” Altshuler also said, “You are not defined by your failures, you are refined by them.“ So, Regardless of the times or circumstances, we are responsible for our actions and reactions. Instead of placing blame, we must take charge of our lives and work to reach worthy goals.

 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load (Galatians 6:4-5).

Toil is no source of shame; idleness is shame. (Hesiod, 7th or 8th century B.C. Greek poet)

Today is the Labor Day holiday in the United States. Its purpose is to acknowledge the value of work, which was one of God’s first gifts to mankind. In a day when leisure and amusement activities are so highly valued, it’s good to remind ourselves of the value of a strong work ethic, which produces good both for the worker and the community.

You should mind your own business and work with your hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

Teach the children so it will not be necessary to teach the adults. (Abraham Lincoln)

Lincoln didn’t mean that adults should not be taught; there’s always something of value that mature people can and should learn. Perhaps he was thinking of basic fundamental truths including moral and ethical values that will not have to be re-taught to adults if they have learned them as children.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6).

The difference between a successful person and others is not the lack of strength or a lack of knowledge but rather a lack of will. (Vince Lombardi, late professional football coach)

No doubt Lombardi used this statement in the context of sports to motivate his players. He knew their strength and he taught them the fundamentals of football. What he felt they lacked was a greater determination to put their best effort into winning games. It has a fitting application to all of life, too. So, add your will to your abilities to achieve success.

And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men (Colossians 3:23).

Peace is not an external environment but an internal one. (Quoted by Kary Oberbrunner, motivational speaker and writer)

In a world torn with conflict—both personal and global—we often long for the laying down of arms and the end of physical battles. The goal of worldwide peace may be unattainable by human means. But we can enjoy internal peace, which, by the way, could be the first step to a wider, external peace. Inner peace can result in outward harmony.

Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” . . . “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 14:27; 16:33)