We all have unused potential. That is, we do not always fully use all of the energy and talents we have been given to do what we are capable of doing. Sometimes there might have been something standing in the way of our ability to develop a particular skill or talent. More often than not…
What does it mean to be an optimist? And why should or could anybody be optimistic when things are so bad all around us. The government is a mess, the weather is bad, and things seem to be falling apart all around us. Even the people we have to deal with every day are often…
Joy and happiness are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences in the way each is experienced. It may seem like splitting hairs, because some of the same things that make us joyful also make us happy. The difference is, in the source of the pleasurable feelings. As far as the Bible is concerned,…
In the media age, it has become common to encounter a wide variety of so-called influencers online. They range from people who espouse crack-pot conspiracy theories to inspirational bloggers who have honorable motives to try to help us think more clearly about serious social issues. The problem we have, is to choose wisely what we…
According to Wikipedia, “Physical fitness is a state of health and well-being and, specifically, the ability to perform aspects of sports, occupations and daily activities. Physical fitness is generally achieved through proper nutrition, moderate, vigorous physical exercise, and sufficient rest along with a formal recovery plan.” “Mental fitness is defined as a state of well-being and having…
I grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm. My family worked hard. My four older sisters all seemed to enjoy working in the fields with our dad as well as in the house and garden with Mom. My brother, who was the fifth child, and the only boy, was always right out there with my…
Young people who have been forced to go to church and Sunday school and required to “suffer” through a year or more of confirmation classes can be forgiven for thinking that the purpose of religion is to control people, themselves in particular. This is not to dismiss the youngsters who are sincere in their professions…
Whenever things just seem to click and everything falls conveniently into place, we say that it was “meant to be”. We might think that God put everything into place, and we thank Him. My question is: then how do you explain that, when I fly, the rule seems to be that if I have plenty…
“Maturity is realizing that half of what you want to say does not need to be said.” Yung Pueblo in his self-help book and poem: The Way Out p.5 Those of us who like to talk about ourselves may need to take a step back and realize that we are never going to connect with…
Amazon is now the biggest delivery business in America having overtaken FedEx in 2020 and UPS in 2022. They delivered approximately 5.9 billion packages in 2023––roughly 18 “presents” for every single American. Wall Street Journal, 11/28/23, p.A1. The convenience of ordering with your phone or home computer and the quick turnaround, makes it unbelievably easy…