"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." - Abraham Lincoln I remember hearing that quote as a young man. I've decided that one of the great examples from Christ life was that happiness is not dependent upon our circumstances. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto … Continue reading
Asides
I would like to find a quote from some authority that expresses the idea that every virtue is moderated by another virtue; that kindness can't rob honesty, that diligence cannot impinge upon patience, and the opposite of each of those is also true. Any suggestions for such a quote would be appreciated.
This psalm caught my attention in The Hague, Netherlands LDS temple for its sentiment and brevity. I do find that God is very merciful and kind. 1 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. 2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth … Continue reading
I've been traveling for 10 days now for work, and am beginning to feel I'm "...too caught up in the 'thick of these thin things,'...". How to correct that? I think it is to return home; to my real home. The best way, really the only way, to do that was explained by Jesus Christ. … Continue reading
I'm not quite sure what the virtue name would be for one who perseveres, or endures. Diligent is more active, consistently but doesn't emphasize opposition. Assiduous maybe? Sedulous (which word I just learned)? Persistent? Open to suggestions.
I don't often make it clear what I am choosing instead when someone learns I don't do certain things. It's not really that I am choose not to do those things, I choose benefits that come. For example, I treasure the very sensitive to impressions that come to me all the time, and what I … Continue reading
Meekness "Meekness is great power under complete control.” (Michael Wilcox, http://www.lds.org/ensign/1991/01/the-beatitudes-pathway-to-the-savior) I'm surprised how little the powerful and great miss the damage they do when they are not meek.
Hope. The authors of "Hope in the age of Anxiety" note that this simple, obscure verse incorporates all three major elements of hope as they define them: mastery, attachment, and survival. "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast [mastery], and that thine … Continue reading
The Gift of the Holy Ghost moderates our feeling, creating within us more evenness, more meekness, more peace. "And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth … Continue reading
One just needs to drive through most US communities on a Saturday when garages are open to see the fulfillment of this: There is no more room for any more blessings. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord … Continue reading
Kip on Character 