Showing all posts in The Point

We’re not judged by the evidence, whether for or against us. Nor, are we judged by the friends we have, but only the friends we make and keep. That is accomplished through calmness.

When trouble, opposition, accusation, slander, and assailants come our way, the ability to keep calm and carry on proves idyllic. We all endure storms, turbulence, and chop. Those people who prove to be stable islands of peace in the midst of it all are the people we want to acquit of fault—the people we want to be friends with—the very people we want to become.  · · · →

Some years, we mainly learn. Other years, we work. When times support our work, we work. When times direct our learning, we learn.

As troubled and hard as the learning years can be, the working years wouldn’t be a tenth as productive without them. The reason winter makes trees grow deep roots is the need to find water. Freeze all the water and trees grow deep. Then, they can grow taller and faster in the easy months. Just imagine all the new ways to live and love and thrive we find, all because of a few long months of hardship.  · · · →

Don’t live in shame alone. The sneaky thing about shame is that it requires privacy. The moment you share your shame, it vanishes and its grip along with it. But, that’s the catch.

Shame protects itself. Shame doesn’t want to be exposed. Shame won’t let itself be expunged. So, when you threaten the life of your own shame, your own shame will give you pain. How much do you want your shame gone?

Do you want it gone enough to make it go away? Do you want it gone enough to tell your friends? They love you, not your shame.  · · · →

We must have victory, though victory rarely arrives the way we think it will. Usually, we can achieve victory in fierce peace; occasionally victory requires war. Too often we jump to war, which is why we fail too often. More war is not the answer. But, if that’s what we want, we can keep the failure that follows unneeded war.

Many times we choose weakness—to lay down as floor mats, thinking self-abuse is peaceful. Nearly all struggles have a peaceful path to victory and few ever find it. Those few who do are more than peace-lovers; they are peacemakers.  · · · →