Sunday, January 15, 2012

Some things to consider...............

"One answer to changing unwholesome behaviors, it appears, is to disrupt the environment in some way. Even small change can help — like eating the ice cream with your non-dominant hand. What this does is alter the action sequence and disrupts the learned body sequence that’s driving the behavior. It allows our conscious mind to come back online and reassert control: 'Is this really what I want to do?'"
-Peter Renner @ heartmind
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"So - it has been a week of extremes. Nothing like high highs and low lows to make a person feel human. Reflecting on days like this brings it home that we would be wise to try very hard to pay attention to each moment, and to try to see the divine in life. With gratitude, life is fuller. The days ahead will have some challenge . . . whether it be going to a funeral, supporting a friend through cancer treatment, or dealing with any number of unexpected things that can happen. However, if we are mindful of the beauty and the good and the laughter, we can understand that life is unfolding as it should."
-Nan P @ Jade Page Press
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"I’ve studied enough theology to know I don’t understand it. I’ve studied enough politics to know I don’t understand it. I’ve seen enough of the world and human life to know any explanation I concoct to make sense of it will eventually be thrown into doubt. But I’ve seen enough of Jesus to know this is the one thing I can know for sure.

"When I look back on all the moments where I was closest to God, I realize the focus was not on me, but on him. I got ambushed by how beautiful he was, how good he was, the incomprehensible intensity of his love for me, and I sang and laughed like a little child, looking at his face. Then I would draw back and start to protest, 'But my sins, my scars, my weaknesses…' trying to justify my unworthiness to him.

"And however sacrilegious this may seem, he distinctly told me at one point, 'DON’T BOTHER ME WITH THAT STUFF ANY MORE. COME OVER AND PLAY.'"
-Nicole the Ragamuffin
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Free Life Lessons from an Old Timer

Lose an argument on purpose just because it’s not that serious.

The expression “same thing, different day” pray you never live these words.

Return borrowed items in the same or better condition it was received.

A good idea is only a good idea. Stop talking about it and turn it into a reality.

Look for insight in unknown places learn from interesting and random people.

Conserve your energy jealousy will ruin your life if you let it.

Good Food & Great Service. Always go back if the food is good but leave a BIG tip if you get both.

Share information with everyone because secrets influence no one.

Be Careful spreading yourself too thin know when to say NO and when to let go.

Approach life differently than your neighbors and be okay with it. Now that’s something to celebrate!

When people show you who they are never expect more than they are able to give.

Life is a continuous effort never stop, never give up.

Find your purpose in life early on in life.

How you feel about the person you’re opening the door for is important and not that you’re holding the door.

Realize early that you don’t know everything.
-Alvin @ All-Swagga
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More profoundly, it’s not at all clear, either from scripture or theology that God rewards those he loves with successful careers and public victories on earth. That certainly isn’t how things worked out for Jesus, and a great many of God’s favorites seem to have gone through some rough times. The Bible tells us repeatedly that God has a special love for the poor and many of us know from personal experience that it is through our defeats and our failures that we have come closest to God.

A truly advanced Christian would be as thankful for the interceptions and failed plays as well as he was for the touchdowns. All presumably are manifestations of the divine will, and the faithful should strive to be grateful in and out of season.

But Mr. Tebow is a young athlete not an old monk, and Via Meadia is inclined to be indulgent. A man who bears witness that true manhood consists in acknowledging your dependence on a higher power and that even rich and famous athletes need to regulate their conduct by something other than their own wishes and whims is someone to respect.

And for those who twist themselves into knots of chagrin over Mr. Tebow’s habit of public prayer, we advise some deep breathing and calm reflection. Mr. Tebow is not forcing anyone to join him in these moments of devotion; supporters of his opponents remain free to invoke divine assistance for their own cause. And as a role model for youth, an athlete who neither beats women nor takes drugs seems, well, not too bad.
-Walter Russell Mead

2 comments:

  1. "is this really what I want to do"..."mindful of the beauty, the laughter, the good...et al...Bravo Steve. You still have me thinking...amazing post. Thank you. Dave

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dave,
    Thanks for reading and commenting. I really like your blog and have added it to my list for everyday reading. Keep up the good blogging. S

    ReplyDelete