Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Only in the darkness can you see the stars. (Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader)

People who live in urban areas are amazed when they see the night sky in a rural setting for the first time. City lights are reflected from the sky at night, obscuring the view of a brilliant, star-studded canopy overhead. King is alluding to the difficult experiences of life in which we can more clearly see the beauty that exists outside the trying circumstances.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

STOP AND THINK – The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment, it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone. (Orison Sweet Marden, 19^th-20^th century American inspirational author)

As another author wrote, “Your golden opportunity is the time when preparation and opportunity meet. It’s your preparation that is key.” It’s what you bring to each day in your attitude, study, and work habits. We waste valuable time when we delay activity because we’re waiting for the right opportunity to come. Prepare, work, and look for it.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

STOP AND THINK – I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance. (Pablo Casals, pre-eminent cellist of the first half of the 20^th century)

We might easily assume that Casals considered music a means of caring for others. Playing his cello was not simply moving a bow over the strings and using the proper fingering to play the notes on the sheet music. Like casino online all musicians who feel the music, he gave attention, not just to the performance details but to the emotional pleasure the composition could give.

Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:18-19)

STOP AND THINK – Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19^th century essayist)

We should learn from yesterday’s mistakes and then put them out of our mind. Tomorrow is a new day, and we are not condemned to repeat the errors of the past. Rather, we should apply what we’ve learned and move ahead with careful planning and determination to make the best of every situation that the year brings.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me. (Philippians 3:13-14)

STOP AND THINK – Leadership is not a skill. It’s character. (Mark Divine, business entrepreneur and a former Navy Seal)

Divine goes on to say, “Successful, happy, and fulfilled people embody core values such as honor, courage, and commitment to personal excellence.” And he emphasizes that “Real leaders command from the heart.” We seem to think that leadership can be learned by applying rules from a book, but it’s deeper than that. It must come from one’s integrity.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely (Proverbs 10:9). The integrity of the upright guides them (Proverbs 11:3).

STOP AND THINK – To desire and strive to be of some service to the world … this is a choice which is possible for all of us; and surely it is a good haven to sail for. (Henry Van Dyke, author, educator, and clergyman)

He added, “To aim at doing something which shall really increase the happiness and welfare and virtue of humankind” is also possible and a worthy goal. In modern society it seems that self-centeredness has become a virtue. We seem to be so concerned about self-image, that we often overlook the importance of serving others, a pursuit of lasting global value.

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)

STOP AND THINK – When we seek to discover the best in others we somehow bring out the best in ourselves. (William Arthur Ward, author)

One of our common human weaknesses is the tendency to see other people’s faults rather than their good points. Perhaps it’s because we are so keenly aware of our own weaknesses. When we do look for the good in someone else and we act upon it by complementing them or giving them opportunity to express themselves, we are better for it, and so are they.

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

STOP AND THINK – Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. (Stephen Covey, educator, author, business man, public speaker)

Covey’s observation should create a sense of guilt in most conversationalists. We often are guilty of planning our next words while someone is talking to us, so we’re not really hearing what they’re saying. Our responses would be much more helpful if we were to clearly understand what we are hearing. Listening is an art we must all practice and learn well.

 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak. (James 1:19)

STOP AND THINK – The unexamined life is not worth living. (Socrates, 4^th century B.C. Greek philosopher)

For many, life just goes on day after day without much thought about it. “Whatever will be, will be,” the song says, and that seems to be the view of many. But life is the precious gift of God and is intended for personal growth and joy and for benefitting others. So, we do need to examine our lives to see how we can be better stewards of the life we’ve been given.

 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. (Ephesians 3:15-16)

STOP AND THINK – The moment you’re ready to give up is usually the moment right before the miracle happens. Don’t give up. (Quoted by Zig Ziglar, late motivational speaker)

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? We’ve persisted at some task, working harder and harder to complete a project—all to no avail. After many trials, we’re about to give up. The temptation is so great just to throw in the towel and call it quits. But, if we’ll take a break, breathe deeply and thoughtfully, perhaps the miracle of persistence will pay off.

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

STOP AND THINK – When you have to start compromising yourself or your morals for the people around you, it is probably time to change the people around you. (Marc Daniels, American television director)

When we’re faced with situations and circumstances that would seem to demand moral compromise, we must decide which is more important: our integrity and values or our relationship with people of differing standards. Relationships are important, of course, but standing up for what is right is essential if we are to maintain our integrity and reputation.

Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right. (Proverbs 16:13)

STOP AND THINK – No matter how long we’ve traveled on the wrong road, we can always turn around. (Gil Scott-Heron, musician and author)

Sometimes we become so bogged down in a rut that we fail to realize we’re following a path to nowhere. Somewhere we got on the wrong road, and we’re too proud to admit it and make a U-turn. But, it’s never too late to start over. Learn from the mistakes you’ve made on the wrong path and proceed with a quickened step on the right road in the right direction.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me. (Philippians 3:13-14)