“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Soren Kierkegaard“I felt so stupid getting myself trapped in that position,” I said. I had let a friend, who knocked on my door at two AM, come in to talk about something. It turned out to be over two hours before I could get him to leave. I stood with the door open for thirty minutes before he finally left.
My counselor listened while I belittled myself for letting this happen. Then she said, “Anyone might find themselves in that situation. Next time try saying, ‘What I learned was…’ instead of blaming yourself.” In the years since then, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used that term, “What I learned was…” to cover a variety of situations…from “Oups” to “OMG, I’ve done it again!” And, I’m still learning; both about myself and about my responses to others. But it all started by understand my past.
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“Diligence is the mother of good luck.” Benjamin FranklinPB&J was the most fun class to teach. But hands down, the class the students loved most was called 1st Pass. When I was a Quality Consultant I taught these classes many times. As you might have guessed, PB&J was Process Design where students made and delivered sandwiches to co-workers and then documented the process.
Each of the three breakout teams knew they couldn’t keep looking for incremental changes. They worked the improvement cycle multiple times. They had to experiment with more creative ideas.
Are you ever tempted to stop looking for the best way because you already found an improvement? Do you find yourself measuring improvement based on the time you've invested in the solution, rather than the improvement that has saved your time? What aspect of your life, work, hobby, or ministry will you focus your attentions on next to discover a better way? Lord, help me be diligent without falling into the pit of perfectionism; show me where patience is an investment in finding the best solution. Amen “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” Proverbs 13:4 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, also an author, printer, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, statesman and diplomat. He is not only on the US $100 bill, but as a scientist he was a major figure in the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor he’s known for the lightning rod, bifocals and the Franklin stove, among many others.
“That is the best—to laugh with someone because you both think the same things are funny.” Gloria Vanderbilt
I knew he was angry with one person who was of that particular nationality. So even though I certainly did not agree, nor did I think his idea of desiring certain people not to be in heaven was reasonable, I let it slide. There was my problem. I let it—and so many other, seemingly insignificant comments—slide. I was beginning to see that by letting it slide, I was ignoring my values, those things that define me. I became afraid this might eventually affect who I was as a person; my core values would be compromised.
Is there someone in your life who thinks certain things are funny, but you don't share their humor? Despite being offended by their humor, do you minimize their behavior or believe you can change them? What change will you make today to protect yourself from compromising your core values? Note: Gloria Vanderbilt (1924- ), and American heiress and socialite, who had successful careers as a painter; designer of textiles, pottery and glassware; author of novels and memoirs; actress in theater, film and television; fashion designer and model; and apparel designer.
“Accountability is the key to integrity…Corruption comes when we avoid accountability.” J.R.R. Tolkien (Frodo Baggins, The Hobbit)“So, how many days did you have a quiet time this week?” Yikes! I wasn’t expecting that question. I had just joined an accountability group and I expected to be held accountable for getting the prescribed materials read and ready to discuss, which I did. No one would know that I did five of the short lessons—designed for daily study—the night before in one marathon session. When I had finished I was pleased with myself that I had covered all the materials. I justified that I did it more effectively since I would better be able to discuss the topic having just studied it the night before.
We met as a group for a year. By the end of that year my quiet times were as much a part of my morning as combing my hair or brushing my teeth. Now, years later, when I lead an accountability group I ask the same question. The material is secondary to developing a good habit that will impact the remainder of our lives. Do you view an accountability relationship as a partnership? What good habit do you want to develop in your life? Who will you approach to ask to be your partner, and hold you accountable to develop this habit? Lord, thank You for giving me someone who cared enough to hold me accountable and left her mark on my life. Amen Note: John Ronald Reuel (J.R.R.) Tolkien, CBE, FRSL (1892-1973), an English writer, poet, philologist, and professor, best known for The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. A close friend of C.S. Lewis (author of the Narnia series), they were both members of the informal literary group known as the Inklings.
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WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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