Jim Downs

FORESIGHTED Definitions: (1) possessing the power of seeing beforehand; prescience; foreknowledge; (2) having thoughtful regard or provision for the future; prudent forethought; (3) exhibiting the ability to project to oneself and others the consequences of actions to be taken (and proceeding if possible and curtailing if unwise) Quote: Lacking foresight, evolution is simply opportunistic, retaining … Read more

SOCIABLE Definition: inclined to friendly communication; open to conversing; neighborly; agreeable to a free exchange of ideas Balancing Quality: Attentive Note: The best communicator is the person who is the best listener; one who is genuinely interested in the views and lives of others. Compatible Quality: gracious, humorous Familial Quality: companionable Too Far: garrulous, nosy … Read more

SOURCEDivine Definitions: (1) The cause of causes; (2) The antecedent of energy and matter; (3) The origin of personality; the I AM; (4) The ancestral spirit; (5) The progenitor of mind; (6) The font of love; (7) The heart of goodness; (8) The foremost authority and distributor of truth; (9) The basis and pattern of … Read more

VIRGINALDefinitions: (1) pure; chaste; clean; modest; innocent; (2) pristine; fresh; new Quote: So much suffering is caused because of the misunderstandings of God’s true nature. God’s heart is more gentle than the Virgin’s first kiss upon the Christ. And God’s forgiveness to all, to any thought or act, is more certain than our own being. … Read more

SELF-SUFFICIENT Definitions: (1) able to maintain oneself without outside aid; capable of providing for one’s own needs; self-realizing; (2) having confidence in one’s own resources or powers; self-reliant; autarky <a country, state, or society which is economically independent> Balancing Qualities: Open-hearted, Open-minded Quote: The snow itself is lonely or, if you prefer, self-sufficient. There is … Read more

Precocious Definition: exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age Quotes: The grim fact is that we prepare for war like precocious giants, and for peace like retarded pygmies. — Lester “Mike” Bowles Pearson (1897-1972) Canadian diplomat What might be taken for a precocious genius is the genius of childhood. When the child grows up, … Read more

PATTERN Divine Definitions: (1) The discernible, coherent design upon which to base the total system; (2) The original arrangement and example of form; (3) The primary, discrete set of priorities from which all things are derived; (4) The fundamental model for all subsequent reality; (5) The physical, personal, mindal, and spiritual guide showing the way; … Read more

MODERN Definition: up-to-date; contemporary; not old-fashioned or obsolete; recent; fresh; new; novel; with-it Quotes: Fire made us human; fossil fuels made us modern, but now we need a new fire that makes us safe, secure, healthy, and durable. — Amory Bloch Lovins (1947-) American physicist Even more amazing than modern technology is our opportunity to … Read more

INVITING Divine Definitions: (1) Courteously requesting participation; attracting; (2) Opening the way; showing the course; alluring; (3) Eliciting wholesome desire; satisfying, (4) The essence of tact, finesse, and subtlety; (5) The most magnetic personality; charismatic; charming; (6) Able to make Himself evident to us; (7) Engaging; likable Comment: God asks us to allow ourselves to … Read more

When you are tempted to be meddlesome reach for your tender Lionheart and be Mettlesome instead. The qualities which are most often abused need to be balanced the most. Power is very seductive. Bring into play fairness, reasonableness, compromise, and all-powerful love. LIONHEARTED Definition: exceptionally courageous or strong; magnanimous Quote: The truth is like a … Read more