Jim Downs

BESTOWER Divine Definitions: (1) The Giver of gifts; the Person with the most lavish generosity; (2) The Benefactor of examples and life lessons; (3) The application of devotion to the universe <He bestows his love upon all his children.> Observation: Many great people have lived remarkable lives: Jesus, Buddha, Lao-Tse, Saints (known and unknown). These … Read more

AVID Definitions: (1) showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for; (2) having an eager desire for <often intense> Derivation: Latin, “to crave” Too Far: obsessive Quote: Thomas Young was born in 1731 in upstate New York. The child of impoverished Irish immigrants, he grew up in a log cabin without the benefit of a … Read more

ASSIDUOUS Definitions: (1) performed with constant attention; persevering; industrious; (2) constant in application; diligent; devoted; persistent Synonyms: sedulous, unremitting, zealous Quotes:The first key to wisdom is assiduous and frequent questioning. — Peter Abelard (1709-1142) French philosopher Because truth is exceedingly subtle and serene, the bliss of the Self can manifest only in a mind rendered … Read more

DECISIVE Divine Definitions: (1) Absolute choice full of Love, Truth, Beauty, & Goodness; (2) Expressing determination for a dedicated purpose firmly and resolutely; (3) Faultless action taken after purposeful consideration Comments:• Being all-knowing, all of God’s decisions are made after considering all options. This was true while determining the nature of Nature before anything or … Read more

ALLOWING Definitions: (1) to let happen; permit; approve; sanction; (2) to let have; grant; (3) to accept as possible; tolerate; (4) to acknowledge or concede a point or claim; to admit as probable; (5) to plan for in case of need; (6) to see as an opportunity; (7) to make provision(s) for; allocate (8) to … Read more

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