Human efforts [are] cumulative, something in every effort [is] preserved and added to the whole. — Fifty Degrees Below Zero, Kim Stanley Robinson (1952-)
This week’s qualities are Aplomb and Fortified. They have in common a certain poise.
Peace,
Jim
APLOMB
FORTIFIED
Familial Quality: mettlesome
Consider the Source
Always bear in mind that your resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing. — Abraham Lincoln (1806-1865) 16th U.S. President
Peace,
Jim
STELLAR
MANEUVERABLE
Consider the Source
Even if someone has looked into the unknown before you, each of us is a Pioneer when we look at it for the first time. We find out there is more to discover. The lessons each child is being taught in every family are the same (or similar) to the lessons every other child is being taught. Look at something new, or in a new way, this week. And share it with someone you are Familial with.
Peace,
Jim
FAMILIAL
Definition: pertaining to or characteristic of family bonds
Consideration: The family is the basic unit of society, then comes the clan, race, state, nation, world, and universe. Once we all recognize our kin, we will have a chance for world peace.
Quote:
So much of what is best in us is bound up in our love of family, that it remains the measure of our stability because it measures our sense of loyalty. — Haniel Long (1888-1956) American Poet
PIONEERING
Compatible Quality: courageous
Parental Qualities: faith, freedom
Familial Quality: adventurous
Consider the Source
We change the outcome of our future through the choices we make in each moment of the present. — The Dead Sea Scrolls (ca 100 AD)
Is it Fitting that any of us call ourselves Auspicious? I have read that progress is the watchword of the universe. We will always be moving from our current accomplishments, our present state of completion, to a greater state of being. Some of the keys to such growth is in the definitions and derivations of this interesting word symbol.
Peace,
Jim
AUSPICIOUS
Synonyms: advantageous, favorable, lucky, propitious, successful
FITTING
Synonyms: adequate, apposite, apt, competent, conformable, congruous, expedient, seemly
The social pathology, existential vacuum, and meaninglessness experienced by contemporary society is the result of intrinsic values starvation, Being-value deficiency. Transpersonal values command adoration, celebration, and reverence. They are worth living and dying for. Contemplating and becoming one of these values gives the greatest sense of worth and joy that human beings can experience. — Spiritual Psychology, Meredith Sprunger, Minister
From whence comes the Bountiful? The source is Openhanded. Nonetheless, we are required to seek – and in seeking an ever-expanding universe is progressively revealed.
Peace,
Jim
BOUNTIFUL
OPENHANDED
Symbol: the removal of the right glove
Match the frequency of the reality you want, and you cannot help but get that reality. — Albert Einstein (1879-1955) Deep Thinker
The word good in a Good Self-image can represent quite a few descriptors, including the words in the definition of Clean. We all have an idea of self which often does not match the ideas others have of us. And most probably neither is our actual nature, character, or soul.
Peace,
Jim
CLEAN
Synonyms: purified, sinless, spotless, untarnished
Saying: Cleanliness is next to Godliness.
GOOD SELF-IMAGE
The American Journal of Nursing, Barbara C. Schutt R.N., Editor.
Components of a Good Self-Image
• An ability to understand and be understood
• Satisfaction of personal expectations
• Reasonable control of environment
• Satisfaction of personal wants
• Satisfaction of personal goals
• Reasonable control of self
• A sense of productivity
• A sense of usefulness
• A sense of belonging
Threats to a Good Self-Image
• A sense of isolation, alienation, or loneliness
• A sense of insecurity (a threat to identity)
• A sense of helplessness
• Fear
— 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
Quotes:
— 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
Color: orange
Symbol: a bird (American Indian)
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
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
EFFECTIVE
Synonyms: conclusive, convincing, forcible, influential, potent
Quote:
Consider the Source
— 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
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.
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
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
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
Balancing Qualities: humble, grateful, sunny
CONTENT
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:
Eight Skilled Gentlemen