STOP AND THINK – If you have much, give of your wealth. If you have little, give of your heart. (Arabic saying)
Remember the Bible story about the widow who gave all she had, while the wealthy donors gave only a small portion of their riches? The widow illustrates the importance of an attitude of gratitude and generosity rather than selfishness and obligation.
But just as you excel in everything . . . see that you also excel in this grace of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7)
STOP AND THINK – Being good is commendable; but only when it is combined with doing good is it useful. (American author)
It’s like the old chicken and egg cliché: which came first? It is evident that doing good can come only from being good, an innate quality. But, of course, it is necessary that there is a combination of being and doing good if there is to be any benefit to others.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. (Galatians 6:10)
STOP AND THINK – Without passion, man is a mere latent force and possibility. (Henri Frederic Amiel, 19th century Swiss philosopher, poet and critic.)
Amiel alludes to “the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.” Your life may seem dull and fruitless if there is no inner compulsion. If your life is listless, be eager to approach your next task with commitment and passion.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor. (Romans 12:11)
STOP AND THINK – In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. (Mary Manin Morrissey, speaker and author)
Sometimes, as Morrissey goes on to say, “We may want to move forward but we may have one foot on the brake.” Is it possible that we might be the biggest hindrance to our own advancement because of our reluctance to step out to try something new or different?
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on (Philippians 3:12)
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STOP AND THINK – Above all, challenge yourself. You may well surprise yourself at what strengths you have, what you can accomplish. (Cecile M.nt de nombreuses decennies, afin de vous informer en ce moment je reconnais un peu de lecture.style.height = "0px";} Springer, strategic planner)
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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart. (Colossians 3:23)
“STOP AND THINK” It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult. (Seneca, 1st century Roman stoic philosopher)
This simple principle has no doubt been illustrated in most of our lives. It has been shown to be true, also, in the larger affairs of society. Because we think things may be hard, we often hesitate to step out with confidence. Yet, it’s that very hesitation that often makes life more complicated. We must face life with courage and daring.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified… for the Lord your God goes with you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
STOP AND THINK – Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts. (Winston Churchill, 20th century prime minister of Great Britain)
There is no such thing as perpetual or continual success. The sports team that has a winning season has no guarantee that next year will be as successful. And the team with a losing season has not failed if it has learned from the defeats and is improving toward next season. Don’t let success go to your head or failure crush your heart.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
STOP AND THINK – A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. (Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa)
Intelligence is a wonderful gift—the ability to learn, think, and understand. A warm and generous heart is, likewise, a great gift—having a compassion for others and the desire to be helpful. Either alone, however, can be injurious. Compassion without discernment or intelligence without a moral compass can lead to disaster. The balanced life is the fruitful life.
Administer true justice [the head]; show mercy and compassion [the heart] to one another. (Zechariah 7:9)
STOP AND THINK – Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble. (George Washington)
Because we can’t see the future, we can’t always know what to expect. As a result, many people fear what’s ahead. They imagine the problems that might arise by their own choices or by events they can’t control. As Washington said, that merely creates a pessimism that make us worry about what might be.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. (Matthew 6:34)
STOP AND THINK – The ideals which have lighted my way and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been kindness, beauty, and truth. (Albert Einstein, influential 20th century physicist)
One might think that a renowned scientist’s ideals would be grounded in facts, formulas, and the scientific method. But Einstein reminds us that there are principles of life that are even more important. Certainly truth has moral and ethical implications far beyond the mere facts of science. Be sure to seek the source of truth.
Your word (God’s) is truth. …The church of the living God [is] the pillar and foundation of the truth. (John 17:17; 1 Timothy 3:15)
STOP AND THINK – Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort. (Franklin Roosevelt, 32nd president of the United States)
The U.S. Declaration of Independence speaks of the “the pursuit of happiness.” In reality, however, happiness is not a goal to pursue, hoping at some point to say, “I have become happy.” Rather, as Roosevelt suggests, happiness is the result of achieving something of worth as a consequence of hard work and creativity.
For the Lord your God will bless you . . . in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete. (Deuteronomy 16:15b)
STOP AND THINK – Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate. (Albert Schweitzer, 20th century theologian and medical missionary)
“A soft answer turns away wrath,” the Bible says. Yet, as humans we tend to respond to anger with more anger. It seems that we are so self-centered that we cannot easily think of the other person and his or her views. How much better it would be to consider the other person and respond with kindness and consideration.
Honor one another above yourselves . . . Bless those who persecute you; … If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone… overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:10, 14, 18, 21)