Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. (The Dalai Lama, Buddhist religious leader)

Many powerful political, business, or social leaders seem to have a rather brusque exterior. They are so focused on efficiency and effectiveness that they may not reflect the gentler side of human nature. But to be truly effective and well-remembered, leaders must recognize the lasting value of concern for others and care for their followers.

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12).

STOP AND THINK – The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. (Chinese proverb)

We can easily accept the first part of this proverb. We know that polishing requires rubbing the surface of the object to bring out its best appearance. The second part of the metaphor, though true, is much harder to accept. No one likes pain whether physical, emotional, or mental. But, it’s learning through difficulties that helps us to grow and mature.

Consider it pure joy . . . whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)

STOP AND THINK – Try to make at least one person happy every day. … If you cannot do a kind deed, speak a kind word. If you cannot speak a kind word, think a kind thought. (Lawrence G. Lovasik, in a Catholic missionary society)


How much more pleasant life would be if we all followed this suggestion. Lovasik goes on to say, “Count up, if you can, the treasure of happiness that you would dispense in a week, in a year, in a lifetime!” If we can’t think in those long-range terms, let’s just take one day at a time. Who can I speak to today to brighten up his or her life, even if just for a moment?


I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live (Ecclesiastes 3:12).

STOP AND THINK – Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. (Thomas Edison, American inventor)


Edison is a great example of a successful person who did not give up in spite of numerous failed experiments. He is quoted as saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Many of us would be discouraged in far fewer failed experiments. But, suppose Edison had quit after 9,999 failed attempts. The lesson: never give up!


But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded (2 Chronicles 15:7).

STOP AND THINK – If only one could market the cosmetic wonders that an unimpeachable moral conscience can do for one’s face! (Francine Prose, literature professor and author)


It’s often been noted that what a person really is inside will be reflected in his outward appearance as well as in his conduct. The person with an evil spirit and no conscience will usually stand out for his or her hardened visage and bad behavior. It is important, then, to develop our inner character so that we might pursue good deeds to benefit others.


A happy heart makes the face cheerful. . . . A cheerful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 15:13; 17:22).

STOP AND THINK – The art of life is to live in the present moment, and to make that moment as perfect as we can. (Emmet Fox, Irish-born religious leader)


To be successful and to realize our dreams for the future, we have to live in the present, taking advantage of every opportunity to learn and to enjoy the here and now, while we prepare for what lies ahead. Fox says that we can make the moment perfect “by the realization that we are the instruments and expression of God Himself.”


God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” . . . So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him (Genesis 1:26-27).

STOP AND THINK – Be positive. If you think you can’t, you won’t. If you think you can, you will. (Davis Illingworth, Jr, businessman and author)


One of the differences between pessimists and optimists may be their expectations of the future and their part in it. Other things may be going well, but the negative person thinks that his role in that future will probably not go well. The positive-minded person, on the other hand, is confident that he will succeed. It’s not just ability; it’s our frame of mind.


Everything is possible for him who believes (Mark 9:23).

STOP AND THINK – The way you do things is not always the only way to do them. (A. B. Quintanilla, American songwriter and musician)


As a musician, Quintanilla no doubt noted that other songwriters used ways of producing good music that were different from his. So, he learned that there is more than one way to do something. He illustrated the principle with examples from arithmetic: 6+3=9 but so does 4+5. He says, then, that we should “respect other people’s way of thinking.”


As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

STOP AND THINK – Don’t count every hour of the day; make every hour of the day count. (Mark Amend, author)


This quote was seen on the face of a clock—a great reminder of the importance of time. If we were to think of that principle whenever we check to see what time it is, it just might make a significant change in the way we look at life and our use of time. Instead of dragging through the long hours, we could excitedly work to make a difference in every hour.


See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16)

There is a significant difference between what’s doable and what’s sustainable. (Holly Gerth, life coach and author)


Getting something started is one thing. It may be difficult, and it may have great potential. But, keeping it going—whether it’s a new enterprise or a revolutionary invention—is really the key to its ultimate success. The same is true when it comes to personal development. We can often “turn over a new leaf,” but can we consistently live a changed life?


Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course (Proverbs 15:21).

The unfortunate thing about this world is that good habits are so much easier to give up than bad ones. (W. Somerset Maugham, 20th century British playwright and writer)


We would probably agree with Maugham’s observation. Whatever our bad habits are, we often find it so difficult to give up those persistent unhealthy patterns of life. On the other hand, we can easily forget our good intentions to diet, exercise, study more, and so on. Maybe it takes a supernatural assist to overcome.


Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).

Human pride refuses to face the truth. (William Wilberforce, 18th-19th century English politician and philanthropist)


Wilberforce was a leader in the anti-slave trade in England; he also promoted a return to civility in the social life of his country. Perhaps it was in those long-lasting and bitter struggles that he discovered the great tragedy of pride. The proud and arrogant often cannot face the truth because it would require them to change their mistaken values.


Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).