Hospitality (May 31)

Hospitality (May 31)

Hospitality, whether at home or elsewhere and whether toward friends or strangers, is an outgrowth of benevolence, which means “good will.” It is an outward practice, certainly, but it begins on the inside, with a heart inclined to show kindness.

Togetherness (May 30)

Togetherness (May 30)

Togetherness takes character and hard work. Our instincts usually run in the direction of togetherness, but its actual practice doesn’t come naturally. It requires conscious effort to build wholesome relationships and then to enjoy them healthily.

Results (May 29)

Results (May 29)

We should work in faith — not faith in ourselves but faith in what we know about the reliability of true-north principles. If (a) our principles are correct, and (b) we work with diligence, then the results are surely going to be worthwhile.

Farsightedness (May 28)

Farsightedness (May 28)

Some people may go to an extreme, obsessing about the future and refusing to spend any resource they fear they may need later. But many of us have the opposite problem. We make no effort to anticipate future needs and provide for them in advance.

Facility (May 27)

Facility (May 27)

As Thomas Fuller said, “All things are difficult before they are easy.” Facility, fluency, and effortlessness in our work are good goals that contribute to quality results, but they usually mean learning to work smarter as well as harder.

Religion (May 26)

Religion (May 26)

There is no weightier issue than the question of God. Considering the consequences of being mistaken, “religion” deserves our best thinking, no less than the concept of “spirituality.” Is our religion based on fact or fiction, realism or delusion?

Spirituality (May 25)

Spirituality (May 25)

The question posed by spirituality is not trivial. If reality does have a spiritual dimension, dealing irresponsibly with that reality would be foolish at least, and quite possibly disastrous. Spirituality deserves quite careful consideration.

Moderation (May 24)

Moderation (May 24)

When the chef sees that he’s about to put too much or too little pepper in the gumbo, he moderates his actions, not because he’s cowardly or colorless, but because he knows that the right amount will be much more delicious than any other amount.

Finality (May 23)

Finality (May 23)

Good beginnings are fine, but what matters most is whether we follow through and complete the work that is ours to do in the time that’s allotted to us. If the final chapter of our history is disappointing, the rest of it will be lacking in value.

Teamwork (May 22)

Teamwork (May 22)

In moments of success, we dare not forget that what has been accomplished has been, almost always, the result of collaboration. Rarely do we bring any project to completion without the help of some kind of team, whether large or small.

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