"One thing that tends to immobalise us is our doom and gloom...
We need to stiffen our spines and acknowledge our rich heritage."
Archbishop Ndungane
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Gifts and Talents
"Your gifts and talents can get you "up" there - but only character will keep you there."
Quoted by Vincent Peter
Quoted by Vincent Peter
Friday, December 17, 2010
Success
"With every level of success there is a degree of failure.
You don't want to make a decision in the middle of chaos or you add to it.
Until you manage your pain you are going to continue to inflict pain, blow up, bark, yell or scream."
Dr Phil
You don't want to make a decision in the middle of chaos or you add to it.
Until you manage your pain you are going to continue to inflict pain, blow up, bark, yell or scream."
Dr Phil
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
DAD HELP!
When I was a little boy we lived in a house by a river. The only way to reach our home from
the road was to walk across a rickety, old, swinging bridge. It made for a long trip unloading the
groceries from the car. Once when I was six years old I decided to help my Dad and big brothers
carry the things in from the store. As soon as my brothers started across the bridge with their
bags I quickly grabbed a big bag full of canned goods and left the bag of bread for my Dad. My
Dad smiled and asked if I needed help. "I can do it myself!," I said determinedly.
About half way across the swaying bridge, however, the sack began to feel heavier and
heavier. I took a few more steps, staggered, and yelled "Dad, Help!" Quickly my Dad steadied
me and switched my bag of cans with his bag of bread. Then together we walked happily the rest of the way into our home.
Most of us go through life determinedly saying, "I can do it myself!" There always comes a
time, though, when life gives us too much to carry. There comes a time when we all start to
stagger and fall. Wouldn’t it be better if before then we wisely asked our Heavenly Father for
His help? It would be a lot safer, a lot easier and we would be a lot happier too.
Don’t wait until you are about to fall off the bridge of life before you ask God to help you. Do
so this morning, today, right now. Ask God to help you with your problems, struggles, and
difficulties. Ask your Heavenly Father to help you to do your work and live your life the best
you can. Ask the Dad of us all to help you to do His will and share His love. Life doesn’t have
to rest on your shoulders alone. Our loving Father is always ready to help you carry your bags.
His hand is there to steady you. His smile is there to shine on you. And His love is there to
uplift you. All you have to do is ask.
Joseph Mazella
joemazella@frontier.com
the road was to walk across a rickety, old, swinging bridge. It made for a long trip unloading the
groceries from the car. Once when I was six years old I decided to help my Dad and big brothers
carry the things in from the store. As soon as my brothers started across the bridge with their
bags I quickly grabbed a big bag full of canned goods and left the bag of bread for my Dad. My
Dad smiled and asked if I needed help. "I can do it myself!," I said determinedly.
About half way across the swaying bridge, however, the sack began to feel heavier and
heavier. I took a few more steps, staggered, and yelled "Dad, Help!" Quickly my Dad steadied
me and switched my bag of cans with his bag of bread. Then together we walked happily the rest of the way into our home.
Most of us go through life determinedly saying, "I can do it myself!" There always comes a
time, though, when life gives us too much to carry. There comes a time when we all start to
stagger and fall. Wouldn’t it be better if before then we wisely asked our Heavenly Father for
His help? It would be a lot safer, a lot easier and we would be a lot happier too.
Don’t wait until you are about to fall off the bridge of life before you ask God to help you. Do
so this morning, today, right now. Ask God to help you with your problems, struggles, and
difficulties. Ask your Heavenly Father to help you to do your work and live your life the best
you can. Ask the Dad of us all to help you to do His will and share His love. Life doesn’t have
to rest on your shoulders alone. Our loving Father is always ready to help you carry your bags.
His hand is there to steady you. His smile is there to shine on you. And His love is there to
uplift you. All you have to do is ask.
Joseph Mazella
joemazella@frontier.com
Monday, November 22, 2010
Peace, Prosperity, Security
"Work towards a peace of virtual equals: not of power, but a balance of mutual benefit: peace, prosperity and security.
Play a constructive role.
Be a responsible stakeholder.
Create a new identity politically, culturally, economically - one of co-operation.
Be more interconnected.
Balance competition and co-operation in order to prosper.
Govern your competetive impulse to dominate for the sake of the people and those who come after you.
Shake hands. Embrace each other. Attain peace.
We're all on the same ship; so, if you see a hole, plug it.
Be respectiful of the universal norms of co-operation and competition.
Create a positive trend. Continue to push it.
It will take hard work: caring, sharing, daring.
Be people oriented, far looking.
Win the battle - win the peace.
It was not the military, it was Mrs Ramos that changed my life.
After the devastation done by friends and enemies, I decided to become an engineer - I decided to build up.
Maybe I could do better by becoming an engineer using dialogue, diplomacy, courage and daring.
Forget confrontation.
Fortify yourselves to survive the threats from outside.
Become effective, influential, peaceful, relatively united as a social, economic, cultural unit.
Resolve differences diplomatically.
Be not a bad example.
Help build a better future.
Make one plus one equal more than two - it can be three, five, ten, eleven or more.
Encourage the synergy of the participants.
One plus one can equal zero - or minus five, minus ten.
We can do it!
Have a "Yes we can" attitude.
Assess, calculate, influence difficult, multi-faith relationships.
Create a regional block.
The cost of one supercarrier could finance ten universities.
Invest in education.
Transfer more budget to development, outreaching.
Defend through aliances.
Agree as virtual equals.
Act as partners instead of as enemies.
Join together to defend against natural enemies.
Say "I will try again."
Use economic and intellectual rather than military influence.
Keep the balance between the powers - neither of whom you want to antagonise.
Let cooler solutions predominate."
- Fidel V Ramos (Former Philipines President)
Wheatley Institute Lecture.
Play a constructive role.
Be a responsible stakeholder.
Create a new identity politically, culturally, economically - one of co-operation.
Be more interconnected.
Balance competition and co-operation in order to prosper.
Govern your competetive impulse to dominate for the sake of the people and those who come after you.
Shake hands. Embrace each other. Attain peace.
We're all on the same ship; so, if you see a hole, plug it.
Be respectiful of the universal norms of co-operation and competition.
Create a positive trend. Continue to push it.
It will take hard work: caring, sharing, daring.
Be people oriented, far looking.
Win the battle - win the peace.
It was not the military, it was Mrs Ramos that changed my life.
After the devastation done by friends and enemies, I decided to become an engineer - I decided to build up.
Maybe I could do better by becoming an engineer using dialogue, diplomacy, courage and daring.
Forget confrontation.
Fortify yourselves to survive the threats from outside.
Become effective, influential, peaceful, relatively united as a social, economic, cultural unit.
Resolve differences diplomatically.
Be not a bad example.
Help build a better future.
Make one plus one equal more than two - it can be three, five, ten, eleven or more.
Encourage the synergy of the participants.
One plus one can equal zero - or minus five, minus ten.
We can do it!
Have a "Yes we can" attitude.
Assess, calculate, influence difficult, multi-faith relationships.
Create a regional block.
The cost of one supercarrier could finance ten universities.
Invest in education.
Transfer more budget to development, outreaching.
Defend through aliances.
Agree as virtual equals.
Act as partners instead of as enemies.
Join together to defend against natural enemies.
Say "I will try again."
Use economic and intellectual rather than military influence.
Keep the balance between the powers - neither of whom you want to antagonise.
Let cooler solutions predominate."
- Fidel V Ramos (Former Philipines President)
Wheatley Institute Lecture.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Wisdom
"Sometimes wisdom is knowing when to keep quiet. At the best of times, my teachers didn’t give advice. Their advice was how they lived their lives."
- Edward Jardine
- Edward Jardine
Peace
"If we ourselves remain always angry and then sing world peace, it has little meaning. So you see, first our individual self must learn peace. This we can practice. Then we can teach the rest of the world."
HH The Dalai Lama
HH The Dalai Lama
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Non Violence
"Non-violence is not a cloistered virtue. It is no impossible deal...
It is capable of being practiced by the millions...
It is the soul force within every human being...
The path of true non-violence requires much more courage than violence."
Mahatma Gandhi
It is capable of being practiced by the millions...
It is the soul force within every human being...
The path of true non-violence requires much more courage than violence."
Mahatma Gandhi
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Criticism
"His criticisms were thoughtful and carefully designed to encourage rather than to destroy."
said of Kessie Govender
said of Kessie Govender
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Reverence and Respect
"You should express regularly to your wife and children your reverence and respect for her. Indeed, one of the greatest things a father can do for his children is to love their mother."
President Howard W Hunter
"Being a Righteous Husband" p 50
President Howard W Hunter
"Being a Righteous Husband" p 50
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Dignity and Respect
"Brethren, let's treat our wives with dignity and with respect. They're our eternal companions."
President Thomas S Monson
Ensign May 2008 p112
President Thomas S Monson
Ensign May 2008 p112
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Love Is...
"Love is one part intimacy, fun and friendship; one part passion and romance; and one part commitment."
Robert Sternberg, Yale University
(Intimacy is a feeling of connection - sexual intimacy is but one small part of the whole of intimacy. Without the feeling of connection sexual relations may in fact feel very far from intimate.)
"Although you cannot make yourself (or another) fall back in love, you can decide to improve the aspects of love - and the actions that demonstrate love - and often the feeling of love can be regained."
Fighting For Your Marriage" p277 (Recommended reading)
Howard J Markman, Scott M Stanley, Susan L Blumberg
Robert Sternberg, Yale University
(Intimacy is a feeling of connection - sexual intimacy is but one small part of the whole of intimacy. Without the feeling of connection sexual relations may in fact feel very far from intimate.)
"Although you cannot make yourself (or another) fall back in love, you can decide to improve the aspects of love - and the actions that demonstrate love - and often the feeling of love can be regained."
Fighting For Your Marriage" p277 (Recommended reading)
Howard J Markman, Scott M Stanley, Susan L Blumberg
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Various Aspects of Intimacy
Real Intimacy is what we all yearn for and need.
Intimacy (connectedness) has various facets.
Take the Test:
1 = Starved to 5 =Satisfied
Emotional - Sharing significant and private feelings
Intrapersonal - Sharing myself with myself
Intellectual - Sharing deep ideas, studies, subjects
Aesthetic - Sharing beautiful things: arts, nature
Creative - Sharing the creation of something meaningful
Recreational - Sharing recreational activity
Social - Sharing meanigful social times
Occupational - Sharing work/chores together
Crisis - Sharing stirring internal and external crisis
Spiritual - Sharing worshipful and spiritual experiences
Romantic - Sharing tender sensual, non-sexual relations
Sexual - Sharing mutually fulfilling sexual relations
Parental - Sharing the nurturing and parenting of child/ren
Familial - Sharing warm and safe family relationships
Ideological - Sharing ideological and political activities
Conflict - Sharing meaningfully and drawing closer during conflict
Companionship - Sharing delightful companionable experiences
To expect one person to meet all these intimacy needs is unrealistic and will result in misery for you both.
Widen your network of associates and friends.
Intimacy cannot be forced.
Cultivate the openness within yourself that will invite the openness of another.
Intimacy, trust and trustworthiness are intertwined.
Share parts of yourself responsibly with various people.
Appreciate the sharing of others of parts of themselves with you.
Enjoy many intimate moments, of a variety, in your life.
Wisely you will share Romantic and Sexual Intimacy only with your wife.
Hopefully you will grow to the point of being able to share all of you with your wife, and have your wife share all of herself with you.
This is the intellectual, emotional and spiritual work of a life-time.
From: M Kleynhans 1991 (expanded)
Intimacy (connectedness) has various facets.
Take the Test:
1 = Starved to 5 =Satisfied
Emotional - Sharing significant and private feelings
Intrapersonal - Sharing myself with myself
Intellectual - Sharing deep ideas, studies, subjects
Aesthetic - Sharing beautiful things: arts, nature
Creative - Sharing the creation of something meaningful
Recreational - Sharing recreational activity
Social - Sharing meanigful social times
Occupational - Sharing work/chores together
Crisis - Sharing stirring internal and external crisis
Spiritual - Sharing worshipful and spiritual experiences
Romantic - Sharing tender sensual, non-sexual relations
Sexual - Sharing mutually fulfilling sexual relations
Parental - Sharing the nurturing and parenting of child/ren
Familial - Sharing warm and safe family relationships
Ideological - Sharing ideological and political activities
Conflict - Sharing meaningfully and drawing closer during conflict
Companionship - Sharing delightful companionable experiences
To expect one person to meet all these intimacy needs is unrealistic and will result in misery for you both.
Widen your network of associates and friends.
Intimacy cannot be forced.
Cultivate the openness within yourself that will invite the openness of another.
Intimacy, trust and trustworthiness are intertwined.
Share parts of yourself responsibly with various people.
Appreciate the sharing of others of parts of themselves with you.
Enjoy many intimate moments, of a variety, in your life.
Wisely you will share Romantic and Sexual Intimacy only with your wife.
Hopefully you will grow to the point of being able to share all of you with your wife, and have your wife share all of herself with you.
This is the intellectual, emotional and spiritual work of a life-time.
From: M Kleynhans 1991 (expanded)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Love
"He who loves not his wife and children breeds a lioness and a nest of sorrows."
Jeremy Taylor quoted by Angus Buchan
Jeremy Taylor quoted by Angus Buchan
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Combat
I have just read the Ensign June 2010 p 76 article about Combating Pornography.
I see there is a new church website http://www.combatingpornography.org/
I went to the website to look around. I will recommend it to any I know who struggle.
I have watched some of the "Cyber Secrets" Conference talks on http://www.byutv.org/ and been impressed with them. These discussions have been organised to help people involved with pornography or those who are affected by them. These recorded talks might subsequently be moved to this new website - for now they are on BYUtv.
There are increasing resources for those suffering with this gnawing and destructive addiction.
If you are gripped by pornograph, or know someone who is,- please help yourself and also: give yourself into the care of others who might be able to walk with you as you walk out of this and help you stay out of it.
Healing is possible.
I see there is a new church website http://www.combatingpornography.org/
I went to the website to look around. I will recommend it to any I know who struggle.
I have watched some of the "Cyber Secrets" Conference talks on http://www.byutv.org/ and been impressed with them. These discussions have been organised to help people involved with pornography or those who are affected by them. These recorded talks might subsequently be moved to this new website - for now they are on BYUtv.
There are increasing resources for those suffering with this gnawing and destructive addiction.
If you are gripped by pornograph, or know someone who is,- please help yourself and also: give yourself into the care of others who might be able to walk with you as you walk out of this and help you stay out of it.
Healing is possible.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Bitterness and Wrath
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking,be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Paul Ephesians 4:31,32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Paul Ephesians 4:31,32
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Angry or Successful
Dr Phil to a man on his show:
"Do you want to be angry or successful?"
"Successful."
"Then stop being angry and start being successful."
"Do you want to be angry or successful?"
"Successful."
"Then stop being angry and start being successful."
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
People
"Life is people - and it's all about impacting with them - and if you don't do that - that's too bad."
BYU Folk Dance Group Guitarist.
BYU Folk Dance Group Guitarist.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Enlarge...
"Enlarge yourself to embrace more of the whole truth about yourself and others."
Source unrecorded.
Source unrecorded.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Complexity
"In the absence of data (in this World War II airforce operation to bomb Ploeste and destroy fuel reserves) the men rely on hope and the ability to adapt and overcome.
A complex plan had become chaos and the pilots are improvising desparately to avoid collision.
If you don't attempt something, you don't achieve anything.
Some thought this was a crusade, some thought it an adventure; but for the majority (of us) it was a case of doing our duty."
"On a Wing and a Prayer" BYU TV
A complex plan had become chaos and the pilots are improvising desparately to avoid collision.
If you don't attempt something, you don't achieve anything.
Some thought this was a crusade, some thought it an adventure; but for the majority (of us) it was a case of doing our duty."
"On a Wing and a Prayer" BYU TV
Sunday, June 13, 2010
There's Much to Do
"There's more to do than can ever be done."
Phrase from the song "Circle of Life"
"Be mentally focussed. Give up your ego."
"Prepare physically, psychologically and mentally."
BYU Ballroom Dance Company Member
Phrase from the song "Circle of Life"
"Be mentally focussed. Give up your ego."
"Prepare physically, psychologically and mentally."
BYU Ballroom Dance Company Member
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Spiritual Growth
"I firmly believe that spiritual growth must be a daily quest throughout our lives."
Steven D Bennion
"Expressions of Faith" p 52
Steven D Bennion
"Expressions of Faith" p 52
Monday, May 3, 2010
Stand
"Stand in the Word of God.
Clothe yourself with the Word of God.
Take your place in your home.
Be the head of your home."
Angus Buchan
Clothe yourself with the Word of God.
Take your place in your home.
Be the head of your home."
Angus Buchan
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Living...
"People are not really afraid of dying, but of living a life that doesn't matter."
Lloyd D Newell
Lloyd D Newell
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Changed Conduct
"The more I changed my conduct (in harmony with the the spiritual teachings I was learning), the more amazing life became.
We are responsible for our own actions and their effect on those around us. Go out and swear at somebody and watch his or her reaction. Speak gently and kindly and the response is different.
I've had to develop a tough skin and a sense of humour... when you have to live with a whole load of people thinking the worst of you, you've got to stay strong inside.
When you set out with a plan in life, and it doesn't go quite right, it's because God has a better plan for you. I always try to remember that."
Jusaf Islam - formerly Cat Stevens.
Readers Digest April 2010 p 67
We are responsible for our own actions and their effect on those around us. Go out and swear at somebody and watch his or her reaction. Speak gently and kindly and the response is different.
I've had to develop a tough skin and a sense of humour... when you have to live with a whole load of people thinking the worst of you, you've got to stay strong inside.
When you set out with a plan in life, and it doesn't go quite right, it's because God has a better plan for you. I always try to remember that."
Jusaf Islam - formerly Cat Stevens.
Readers Digest April 2010 p 67
Monday, April 12, 2010
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