The Most Wonderful People in the World.

"The most wonderful people 

are those who have 
· known defeat, 
· known suffering, 
· known struggle, 
· known loss
· and, above all,
· have found their way out of the depths. 
These individuals have 
· an appreciation,
· a sensitivity, 
· and an understanding of life 
· that fills them with 
· compassion, 
· gentleness, 
· and a deep loving concern. 
Wonderful people don't just happen."

- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.

A Lesson in Civility.

I was headed to a meeting recently at a downtown office building. There was a guy a few steps ahead of me, apparent in a slight hurry. In addition to observing his light jog, I also noticed we were headed in the same direction towards the elevator. As the elevator opened, he immediately got in and began frantically pressing the ‘close door’ button causing the elevator door to close as I was only a few steps away. Because I was visible, his refusal to attempt to hold the elevator for me raised a few questions in my mind about the state of civility in today’s society.We’re involved in a great deal of incivility ranging from simple gestures of kindness; the handling of social media; and, even what’s taking place in the presidential election.  We’ve moved past the days of giving someone the right-of-way  in traffic, stopping at cross walks, saying “excuse me” when inadvertently bumping into someone, sending “thank you” cards, etc. Taking all this into account we want to remind and encourage you to extend a little patience and kindness along with a sprinkling of some random acts of kindness in our everyday lives. We can all make a conscious effort to get civility back!

- Author unknown.

Searching for Happiness.

“People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. Ironically, the only place they ever needed to search was within.” - Romana L. Anderson.



Can you Imagine Reading your own Obituary in the Newspaper?

Can you imagine reading your own obituary in the newspaper? What would people say about you? Alfred Nobel got the chance to read his own death notice, and he didn’t like what he saw.

Alfred Nobel was a very wealthy and successful man. He had become an expert in chemistry and invented three of the most commonly used explosives in the world - dynamite, gelignite (used in mining) and ballistite, which is still used as a rocket propellant today. 

With the huge fortune he made from these inventions, Nobel bought an engineering company called Bofors and turned it into an arms manufacturer. He made another enormous fortune designing cannons and guns and selling them around the world.

Then, in 1888, Alfred’s brother died while visiting France. A French newspaper thought it was Alfred who had died and they published an obituary that began like this:

THE MERCHANT OF DEATH IS DEAD

Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday…. 

Alfred Nobel was shocked. Was this what people thought of him? Was this the legacy he would leave to the world? That’s when he decided to use his vast wealth to make a positive difference.

Nobel set up a foundation with $250 million dollars in funding. Every year the foundation would consult the leading experts in the world and hand out prizes to people who had made great contributions to humanity. There would be prizes for sciences, for literature, and for promoting peace.

Today the Nobel Prizes are probably the best known and most prestigious awards in the world. They have been awarded to great scientists, authors and activists and helped draw attention to many outstanding works and worthy causes.

Nobel set up his foundation in 1895: just in time to influence his own obituary. He died only a year later.

The Nobel Prizes accomplished his wish; they created a very different legacy for him than a reputation as “The Merchant of Death.” He is not remembered as an explosives inventor or arms dealer, but as one of the greatest philanthropists of all time.

He is also a great example of how it is never too late to change your life and help make the world a better place.

What will you be remembered for? 

On Staying Woke and Resisting Anxiety.



Everyone understands anxiety (well, many people do). And we even sometimes are able to conquer it, we know the signs...and as Christians we are well aware of what the Bible tells us about anxiety and worry. We know God is for us. We have read and read and read page after page in the Bible telling us who we are in Christ. In fact on some days we feel peaceful and free and content. And all of a sudden, the next minute or day, life happens. Anxiety creeps in and you have to start to adjust all over again.

Well, we have to continually guard against anxiety. To do this, we must renew our minds daily. In other words, we have to STAY WOKE. The truth is before we even set our feet on the ground each day, satan is going to try it. He will attempt to mess with our heads. Our minds. Our thoughts. Our feelings. Then enemy seeks to get us down. To destroy us. We are now aware of this. After all, in battle and in war, you must first understand the strategy of your opposition; of your enemy. Now that you do, what shall you do? 

RESIST. Learn to equip yourself with and arm yourself with the word of God. God has given us the authority to resist. Replace anxious thoughts with reassuring thoughts of God's words. We also have to get to the dwelling place with Jesus. Thereafter you will remain at peace despite what the day throws ahead of you. I didn't say that means you would have a completely easy day. It means you are clear headed, you are filled with peace, and most of all armed with wisdom to handle whatever happens. This is all tried and tested folks.

Part of that wisdom, for instance is picking your battles wisely. Don't let a bad five minutes destroy an entire day. Don't let an awful short conversation with an awful person affect your entire conversations for the rest of the day with decent people. Do whatever practical thing you need to do to protect your sanity. 

My motto for the remainder of 2017 is that Goodness and Mercy WILL follow me ALL the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. In fact, I feel like my theme for the rest of the year is DWELL.  I will dwell and thrive in Christ. Look, the year might be close to being over, but it doesn't stop you from setting new themes and goals and resolutions. It shouldn't stop you from living as full as you can. Four months is a LONG time.  

"Those who dwell in the shelter of the most high will find REST in the shadow of the almighty." -Psalm 91:1. 

So yes, I will mostly be minding my business and dwelling for the rest of the year by God's grace. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses: "for I bear the mark of Christ, let NO ONE trouble me." As you can see, I plan on maintaining my peace while dwelling in God for the rest of this year and for the rest of my life even.  

Therefore as you go back to school, work, living fabulous, or whatever else rocks your boat, remember this: You will be okay. 

I sincerely hope I remember it as well. 

Courtesy of Ifeoluwa Olawole @ www.fivecoveredcolonnades.blogspot.com

Family, Place of Forgiveness.

There is no perfect family. We do not have perfect parents, we are not perfect, we do not marry a perfect person or have perfect children. We have complaints from each other. We disappoint each other. So there is no healthy marriage or healthy family without the exercise of forgiveness.

Forgiveness is vital to our emotional health and spiritual survival. Without forgiveness, the family becomes an arena of conflict and a stronghold of hurt.  

Without forgiveness, the family becomes ill. Forgiveness is the a sepsis of the soul, the cleansing of the mind and the liberation of the heart. Whoever does not forgive does not have peace in the soul nor communion with God. Hurt is poison that intoxicates and kills. Keeping heartache in the heart is a self-destructive gesture. It's autophagy. Those who do not forgive are physically, emotionally and spiritually ill.  

That is why the family must be a place of life, not of death; territory of cure and not of illness; Stage of forgiveness and not guilt. Forgiveness brings joy where sorrow has produced sadness;

Healing, where sorrow has caused disease.

Courtesy: Pope Francisco.

Mother Teresa.

Finally watched "The Letters". It's a movie about the life and times of Mother Teresa. And I thank the good friend that recommended it. Now, I know what gave rise to one of her famous quotes, "I'm just a pencil in the hands of God".

 

Mother Teresa dedicated her life to pure, selfless service to humanity and to the glory of God. In view of the many gifts (exotic cars, limousines, millions of Dollars etc) presented to her by presidents, monarchies, including the Queen of England, the nun could have been one of the richest women in the world. But she made a vow of chastity and poverty. All those gifts were summarily handed over to charities. She simply refused to serve God and Mammon at the same time.

 

The good nun actually left a comfortable environment to go live with the poorest of  India's  "untouchables". And even while receiving a Nobel Prize, she was the most poorly-dressed recipient. For Mother Teresa, there was no need for the latest in fashions, mansions, a fleet of cars, private jets and other vanities. May her soul continue to rest in peace.

The Other Side of Social Media.

Sadly, this is the sad reality in the lives of most people. They are rarely there for their spouses and kids. Yet, they are all over the social media spending time with their "thousands of friends". And some others are investing almost every minute of their lives whining and venting frustrations on national politics when the problems in their homes hardly get any attention.