Quickness sometimes means “promptness.” There is a small polished stone that I often keep in my pocket. Aquamarine in color, it is engraved with the word “Now.” The presence of that stone in my pocket is a helpful reminder to act IN THIS MOMENT.
The person who says “I did this by myself” is usually telling a lie. In telling this lie, we diminish ourselves. So let’s increase the amount of acknowledgment in our lives, recognizing the contribution of others. Let’s give honor where honor is due.
It is often suffering that teaches us what sensitivity means and how to practice it. It is tears that make our hearts more responsive to the tears of others. And it is the struggle to overcome difficulty that makes our “senses” more alive and alert.
Having kind intentions is better than not having them, but the intentions alone do little good if they’re not acted upon, at least as far as the recipient is concerned. So let’s not pile up regrets by failing to be kind when we have the opportunity.
If we choose, we can improve our promise-keeping. Honor is such a simple thing, really, but it’s a great thing nevertheless. It’s a nobility that’s available to every man, woman, and child: the living of a life that’s based on everyday BELIEVABILITY.
We need consistency between our means and our ends. If not, we may find ourselves paying lip service to noble ends but engaging in actions that are opposed to those ends. Integrity consists of harmony between our professed ends and our actual means.
To be more highly motivated, we must elevate our motives. The higher they are, the more powerful they will be. And when we operate from the very highest motives of all, great mountains become moveable and unbearable burdens become easy to carry.
I believe we do need to keep things clean outwardly, but however much we’re concerned about that, we need to be even more concerned about our inward life. Too many of our hearts are disheveled and dirty. They’re overdue for a cleaning!
We should aspire to the capacity for careful thought and consideration. Rather than dabbling, we should become deeply interested and involved with the big issues. We should know what diligence means — and when gravity and solemnity are in order.
In deciding what to be circumspect about, most of us should be less concerned about physical issues and more concerned about spiritual and moral ones. So let the question of moral integrity be the one where you “watch your step” most carefully.
