A rigid structure may not work for us, but without a structure, we may not work
A rigid structure may not work for us but without a structure we may not work We all have various structures that bring order to [...]
If we are tormented by strong conscience and weak willpower, the solution is strengthening willpower, not weakening conscience
If we are tormented by strong conscience and weak willpower the solution is strengthening willpower not weakening conscience We all face situations in our life [...]
Seeking to understand our nature won’t box us in, it will reveal the box we are already in
Seeking to understand our nature won’t box us in it will reveal the box we are already in Some people resist any system of categorization [...]
To be responsible means to stop blaming the outer trigger for the inner trouble
To be responsible means to stop blaming the outer trigger for the inner trouble Suppose we feel tempted by someone who wears revealing clothes. Or [...]
Ask not why bad things happen to good people, ask what good people do when bad things happen to them
Ask not why bad things happen to good people ask what good people do when bad things happen to them One of the oldest philosophical [...]
For inner change, momentum matters more than movement
For inner change momentum matters more than movement Suppose we strive to improve ourselves in some area, but fail repeatedly. We may feel disheartened, “There [...]
Seek God’s help for doing his will, or you will need his help to get out of the trouble you get into because of not doing his will
Seek God's help for doing his will or you will need his help to get out of the trouble you get into because of not [...]
Our future is shaped not so much by how many options we have as by how well we choose among the options we do have
Our future is shaped not so much by how many options we have as by how well we choose among the options we do have [...]
No one has a right to mistreat you, not even you
No one has a right to mistreat you not even you Suppose someone repeatedly derided us. We would be incensed: “You have no right to [...]
On some days, in some ways, we all can make a difference – provided we try
On some days in some ways we all can make a difference - provided we try During our lives, we sometimes wonder, “Whatever I do, [...]
Inability to face life’s challenges may diminish us, but unwillingness to face life’s challenges will demolish us
Inability to face life’s challenges may diminish us but unwillingness to face life’s challenges will demolish us We all face challenges in life. And some [...]
Even if we can’t change what we live with, we can change what we live for
Even if we can’t change what we live with we can change what we live for Suppose we are stuck with a slow, noisy, messy [...]
Meditation is not the antithesis of action, it is the basis of action
Meditation is not the antithesis of action it is the basis of action Some people consider meditation to be a scandalous waste of time. They [...]
When we limit our challenges, we can challenge our limits
When we limit our challenges we can challenge our limits Suppose an army is fighting a multifront war against a formidable enemy. For the army [...]
Addiction is an abductor who extorts ever-increasing ransom but never releases
Addiction is an abductor who extorts ever-increasing ransom but never releases Suppose an abductor abducts a child and demands a huge ransom from the parents. [...]
Use cleverness to counter corruptness, not cover corruptness
We all have a certain amount of cleverness and a certain amount of corruptness. Our cleverness enables us to go beyond the appearance of things [...]
Virtue that is more talked than walked is not necessarily infertile, it may just be infantile
Suppose someone speaks big things, but doesn’t live accordingly. We may dismiss their talk as big bluster: “What they speak is infertile – nothing comes [...]
To take sole credit for our abilities is to put too much burden on ourselves
To take sole credit for our abilities is to put too much burden on ourselves Amid life’s inevitable struggles, we all seek some abilities that [...]
When nothing feels filthy, everything may be tidy – or everything may be filthy
When nothing feels filthy everything may be tidy – or everything may be filthy Suppose we enter a tidy room. If we cast one thing [...]
Our deepest desires should direct us from within, not disappear within
Our deepest desires should direct us from within not disappear within Suppose we have something precious that we are afraid of losing. We may keep [...]
See memory not as an exhaustive guide to the past but as a constructive guide from the past to the future
See memory not as an exhaustive guide to the past but as a constructive guide from the past to the future We usually think of [...]