Also are these angels very much concerned with the means whereby man’s spirit is released from the tabernacles of the flesh and his soul escorted to the mansions in heaven. Angels are the sure and heavenly guides of the soul of man during that uncharted and indefinite period of time which intervenes between the death of the flesh and the new life in the spirit abodes. — Jesus (talking with Nathaniel) The Urantia Book (167: 7.6)

If you are Angelic, I suppose you would also be Carefree. Yet we are always striving to be more than we are. A small child possesses the carefree innocence of and angel, yet to mature those (or any other) qualities takes a bit of learning and intention.

Peace,
Jim

          ANGELIC

Definitions: (1) like an angel in beauty, goodness, innocence, purity, or kindness (2) having spiritual qualities; heavenly-minded

Quotes:
Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, “Grow, grow.” — The Talmud

Make friends with the angels who, though invisible, are always with you. — Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Preacher and Writer

Comment: How angels serve humans may not be what you think – but what you need. 

          CAREFREE

Definition: free from anxiety, concern, or worry; trouble-free

Color: orange

Symbol: a bird (American Indian)

Consider the Source

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

• Be Proactive (responsible, independent, imaginative, self-aware)
• Begin with the end in mind (conceptualization, visualization, creation)
• Put first things first (time management, start with matters of importance)
• Think Win/Win (mutual benefit, successful, integrity, maturity)
• Seek first to understand, then to be understood (good listener, communication)
• Synergize (communication, cooperation, trust)
• Sharpen the saw (re-energize, relax, be of service)
— The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Richards Covey (1932-2012) American Educator

What is your Principled “guiding sense of … right behavior?” Take a moment to ponder it. Even if it does not sound quite right (maybe especially) write it down so you can revisit it on your birthday or when thinking what to project for your New Year’s resolution(s).
     Read the difference between Effective and efficient. I usually strive for efficiency, but as I get older, the dogged persistence of effectiveness seems to take the day.

Peace,
Jim

          PRINCIPLED

Definition: an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct; a guiding sense of the requirements and obligations of right behavior

          EFFECTIVE

Definitions: (1) producing a definite, decisive, or desired result; (2) in effect; operative; active; (3) making a striking impression

Synonyms: conclusive, convincing, forcible, influential, potent

Note: Effective versus Efficient: Effective is used regarding the accomplishment of things; getting something done no matter if it’s done efficiently or not. Efficient means getting things done with the least amount of effort and time.

Quote:
Just think of the advantage that the first warm-blooded mammal would have had at night, all the reptiles cooled down to somnolence unable to defend themselves. And all because of an abnormally inefficient animal (by cold-blooded standards!) that wasted energy by metabolizing food when it wasn’t needed for movement. But this kept body temperature up and so the animal was pleasantly surprised by all the sleepy prey he encountered, which more than made up for all the wasted energy. The next time that you hear an evolutionary argument based on efficiency, remember those profligate warm-blooded animals. — William H. Calvin (1939 – ) The River That Flows Uphill

Consider the Source

The end then of learning is to…know God aright, and out of that knowledge to love him, to imitate him, to be like him, as we may be nearest by possessing our souls of true virtue, which being united to the heavenly grace of faith makes up the highest perfection. — Of Education, John Milton, (1608–1674) Poet

There are many levels of Education: physical, mental, emotional, etc. One can have a great deal of information, but unless it be Adapted to cross many areas, it is only narrowly valuable.

Peace,
Jim

          ADAPTABLE

Definitions: (1) able to adjust to a new situation or environment <by changing one’s behavior or attitudes>; (2) made to fit <a new use>; (3) suitable for a specific situation; (4) to bring one thing into correspondence with another

Synonyms: Adaptable implies a personal modification according to changing circumstances; accommodate suggests yielding to effect a correspondence of view; adjust suggests bringing parts or ideas into close harmonious accord; conform applies to bringing patterns, examples, or principles into agreement with some standard; reconcile implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible.

Familial Qualities: flexible, obedient

Reflection: As we experience our lives, actively and passively, we also become more adaptable. Expansion comes when we look beyond the confines of the circumscribed environment: from the self, to the family, to the community, to the state, to the nation, to the planet, to the universe.

Observation: In evolution, when change occurs in the environment, the species that adapt to the change have become more flexible and more complex; they have expanded their survival boundaries to more than a single environment.
The more successful mechanisms (or qualities) are those built on a sturdy foundation. They eventually become stable enough to live on their own.
Just as physical evolution follows how well a species functions in increasingly complex environments, so too do we evolve on levels of the mind, soul, and spirit by those decisions we make in reaction to our internal and external environments. Because we can anticipate the future, we can also be proactive.

Color: green

          EDUCATED

Definitions: (1) furnished with knowledge or principles; instructed; trained; (2) having a cultivated mind, speech, or manner; disciplined

Quotes:
What greater or better gift than to educate our youth. — Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 bc) Roman Philosopher

What is defeat? Nothing but education, nothing but the first step toward something better. — Wendell Phillips (1811-1884) American Abolitionist

The ultimate goal of the educational system is to shift to the individual the burden of pursuing their [own] education — John W. Gardner (1912-2006) United States Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (Johnson Administration)

Color: green

Symbol: the cap and gown

Consider the Source

A small study using brain scans suggests the addictive power of unhealthy, high-calorie food can be reduced and the brain retrained to prefer healthy, lower calorie foods. Participants who followed a 6-month behavioral weight-loss program showed significant changes in the way the reward centers in their brains responded to the two types of food.

The study team, including researchers from Harvard Medical School and Tufts University, both in Boston, MA, reports the findings in the journal Nutrition & Diabetes.

There is strong evidence to suggest individuals can retrain the brain to focus on healthy eating with early rewards. The scan results showed that compared to the controls, the group that followed the weight-loss program showed increased reward center activity in response to seeing images of low-calorie foods at the end of the program, and decreased activity in response to high-calorie foods.

Consider the Source

 Consider the First Source!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word choreographed an assembly of amino acids into an exquisite array of specific proteins. Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” In so doing God demonstrated a penchant for genomic writing, preceeded by an amazing series of prebiotic events, in a highly orchestrated presentation of evolutionary overcontrol.

More about God’s Handiwork!

On one Homecoming Sunday, The Prodigal Son’s Quartet filled the sanctuary at Bell Church in Leicester, NC. This talented group of inmates, from the Buncombe County Correctional Center, is now singing for Jesus. And what a blessing it was to hear them lead the worship service at Bell UMC. Their encore was a lively reprise of the wonderful old gospel song Where Could I Go But To The Lord? The song was written in 1940 by James (J. B.) Coats after he had asked a dying friend if he knew where he would spend eternity. The friend replied, “Where could I go, but to the Lord?”

As The Prodigal Sons were singing, so were the ushers as they danced down the aisles with collection baskets for a love offering. You can donate to this vibrant prison ministry by addressing your contribution to BCC Prison Ministries, 125 Caldonia Dr. Candler, NC 28715

Now sit back and enjoy Where Could I Go But To The Lord? as sung by The Prodigal Sons Quartet on Sunday, August 31, 2014 at Bell United Methodist Church!

Courage, Character, and Loyalty — Little League Baseball’s Motto, 1939

When we take care of the basics, we can be Content we have at least done the minimum. And most or the time this is enough. But to be truly content, it behooves us to do a bit more, go the extra mile, give an extra dram of sweat. Growth will always take place but some qualities cannot be learned without a little (or a lot) more Responsible effort.

Peace,
Jim

          RESPONSIBLE

Definitions: (1) able to distinguish between right and wrong and to think and act rationally, and hence liable for one’s behavior; (2) trustworthy; dependable; reliable; (3) expected or obligated to account for something to someone <In the end we will all be responsible for our deeds.>; (4) answerable to the cause, agent, or source of something <I want to thank whoever is responsible for saving my son.>; (5) accountable for actions, obligations, or duties <a responsible position>; (6) able to pay debts and meet business or personal obligations

Balancing Qualities: humble, grateful, sunny

          CONTENT

Definitions: (1) satisfied with what one is or has; (2) possessing a mind at ease

Quotes:
I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. — Saint Paul of Tarsus (c. 5 bc-67 ad) Christian Missionary

Contentment, unlike happiness, is not dependent upon our circumstances. It is an inner perspective from which we are aware of the difficulties or problems of our lives without being emotionally controlled by them. — Matthew Flickstein, Journey to the Center

Parable:
Once there was a great king who gazed down from a tall tower upon a gardener who sang as he worked, and the king cried, “Ah, to have a life of no cares! If only I could be that gardener.” And the voice of the August Personage of Jade reached out from Heaven and said, “IT SHALL BE SO,” and lo, the king was a gardener singing in the sun. In time the sun grew hot and the gardener stopped singing, and a fine dark cloud brought coolness and then drifted away, and it was hot again and much work remained, and the gardener cried, “Ah, to carry coolness wherever I go and have no care! If only I could be that cloud.” And the voice of the August Personage of Jade reached out from Heaven and said, “IT SHALL BE SO,” and lo, the gardener was a cloud drifting across the sky. And the wind blew and the sky grew cold, and the cloud would have liked to go behind the shelter of a hill, but it could only go where the wind took it, and no matter how hard it tried to go this way, the wind took it that way, and above the cloud was the bright sun. “Ah, to fly through wind and be warm and have no cares! If only I could be the sun,” cried the cloud. And the voice of the August Personage of Jade reached out from Heaven and said, “IT SHALL BE SO,” and lo, he was the sun. It was very grand to be the sun, and he delighted in the work of sending down rays to warm some things and burn others, but it was like wearing a suit made of fire and he began to bake like bread. Above him the cool stars that were gods were sparkling in safety and serenity and the sun cried, “Ah, to be divine and free from care! If only I could be a god.” And the voice of the August Personage of Jade reached out from Heaven and said, “IT SHALL BE SO,” and lo, he was a god, and he was beginning his third century of combat with the Stone Monkey, which had just transformed itself into a monster a hundred thousand feet tall and was wielding a trident made from the triple peaks of Mount Hua, and when he wasn’t dodging blows he could see the peaceful green earth down below him, and the god cried, “Ah, if only I could be a man who was safe and secure and had no cares!” And the voice of the August Personage of Jade reached out from Heaven and said, “IT SHALL BE SO,” and lo, he was a king who was gazing down from a tall tower upon a gardener who sang as he worked. — Barry Hughart (1934 – ) Eight Skilled Gentlemen

Consider the Source

A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. — The Boy Scouts’ Law, 1908

You have Capabilities: both past and future. Build on what you have learned and earned. As Thrifty would suggest, stay between the extremes, that is, use prudent judgment and progress will be made. But remember it is also prudent to push the boundaries occasionally.

Peace,
Jim

          THRIFTY

Definitions: (1) practicing prudent economy; sparing; using good management of money and other resources; frugal; (2) thriving; successful; prosperous; fortunate

Synonym: careful

Too Far: miserly

Quote:
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing what they could and should do for themselves. — Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) 16th President of the United States

          CAPABLE

Definitions: (1) possessing physical or mental attributes required for performance or accomplishment; intelligent; (2) able to understand or to receive into the mind; a capacious mind

Synonyms: adequate, clever, competent, efficient, gifted, qualified, skillful, suitable

Tip: Assess your capabilities. Start with your natural physical endowments. Exercise and expand those to work in your favor. You have emotional, mental, and spiritual strengths as well; some are innate talents and others have been developed by the circumstances you have lived.

Consider the Source

What we dwell upon we help bring into manifestation. — Steps Toward Inner Peace, Peace Pilgrim (1908-1981) Pacifist

Positive qualities go both ways: toward yourself and toward/for someone else. Take someone Scrumptious (see definitions) out to enjoy a scrumptious dinner. Once you are mutually sated, you will both feel pleasantly Complacent.

Peace,
Jim

          SCRUMPTIOUS

Definition: delightful; excellent; first-rate; splendid; extremely pleasing <especially to the taste>; delectable; yummy

          COMPLACENT

Definitions: (1) pleased <especially with oneself, one’s advantages, or one’s accomplishments>; self-satisfied; (2) pleasant; kindly; complaisant; (3) unconcerned

Consider the Source

Parque de la Papa farmers began to stir in their seats, waiting for an opportunity to share their stories. Others came from as far as Bhutan and China. They discovered that their cultures were more similar than they had expected, and that one concern had been troubling all of them: Climate change was making it harder to grow food on the mountains that had sustained them for centuries. They were meeting to do something about it.

During a series of talks held between April 26 and May 2, 2014, the farmers forged a unique partnership that now includes the exchange of indigenous crop varieties and farming methods. They hope these initiatives will help protect agricultural biodiversity in the face of climate change. The exchange will begin with potatoes—a sturdy crop that thrives in the mountains of China, Bhutan, and Peru. Such collaboration will give the farmers an opportunity to experiment together from a distance, as they search for the hardiest, most resilient varieties.

Andean farmer Lino Mamani curates the traditional seeds collection at Parque de la Papa, where six Quechua communities live and grow about 600 varieties of potato. “We can learn more from others with similar problems about technology that might be useful.”

Working with scientists has been an emotional, challenging process, Mamani said. “Scientists would just take seeds from us, not recognizing our knowledge.” But the tides are turning as climate change edges on, pushing science and tradition closer together to resolve common goals and slow the process of agricultural degradation. He went on to say “It’s time traditional knowledge and science work together.”

Consider the Source

 Consider the First Source!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word choreographed an assembly of amino acids into an exquisite array of specific proteins. Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” In so doing God demonstrated a penchant for genomic writing, preceeded by an amazing series of prebiotic events, in a highly orchestrated presentation of evolutionary overcontrol.

More about God’s Handiwork!

There is one great and universal wish of mankind expressed in all religions, in all art and philosophy, and in all human life: the wish to pass beyond himself as he is now. — Beatrice Moses Hinkle (1874-1953) Author

The willingness to be Kind comes first. How to deliver the goods in a Suitable manner takes tact.

Peace,
Jim

          SUITABLE

Definition: appropriate; acceptable; fitting; proper; becoming

          KIND

Definitions: (1) disposed to be helpful and solicitous; gentle and considerate; good and tenderhearted; friendly; generous; (2) affectionate; loving; agreeable; (3) inclined to offer sympathetic relief; willing to give pleasure

Synonyms: courteous, well-disposed

Quotes:
Perfect kindness acts without thinking of kindness. — Lao-tse (c. 6th Century bc) Chinese Philosopher

[Tollydiggle:] It is kindness that makes one strong and brave. — L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) The Patchwork Girl of Oz

Symbols: 1) the dolphin; 2) the elephant {Kind, Compassionate, and Loving} (Hindu)

Consider the Source