Grief

-
Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

Franklin's Advice for the New Year

-

America's first "self-made" man, Benjamin Franklin, resolved to improve himself by practicing virtues until they became habit. The beauty of his system is the ability to track failures as much as successes. These names of virtues, with their precepts, are:

1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 


2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. 


3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. 


4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. 


5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i. e., waste nothing. 


6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. 


7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. 


8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty. 


9. MODERATION. Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. 


10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation. 


11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 


12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation. 


13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and   


From “His Autobiography” by Benjamin Franklin. (1706–1790). 

Popular posts from this blog

Rock Me, Epictetus!

-
Image
“Keep constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things?” EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.3.6 b –8 
Read more

The Smooth-flowing Life

-
Image
Legend has it that the astronomer Ptolemy (1st century A.D.) suggested that falling stars were caused by the gods moving in the heavens, thus knocking stars out of their places. Somehow people reasoned that that if the gods were moving, they must be getting close to earth so they would lift their "prayers" or "wishes" (literally, "desires") whenever they saw the stars falling in hopes the gods would notice and grant a favorable answer. But how does one wish on falling star? Once you see it, it's gone before the wish or prayer can be made! The answer is simple: meteor shower. That's how to get your wish. Mrs. Ann Hodges had a wish fall right into her lap. Sort of. In 1954 Mrs. Hodges was sleeping on the couch when a 8 1/2 pound meteorite fell through her house and into her living room where it bounced off the radio and struck her left hip leaving her with a bruise. Not sure what she was wishing, but that's not how to do it. Epictetus hel...
Read more