Definitions: (1) easily instructed; teachable; biddable; (2) easily led or managed; tractable

Derivation: Latin, “to teach,” “to be fitting”

Too Far: wimpy

Quote: Natural selection shaped the human brain to be drawn toward aspects of nature that enhance our survival and reproduction, like verdant landscapes and docile creatures.— Paul Bloom (1963-) Canadian-American psychologist

Comment: When you are trying to learn something, it is best if you are docile; that is to say, being attentive helps you be more open to new information.

Observation: Biddability overall, is a very positive trait to have in a dog. Biddable dogs are intelligent, happily follow directions, seek guidance, and are eager to be with their humans. They include Australian shepherds, Border collies, Labrador & Shetland retrievers, English springers and Cocker spaniels.

Definitions: (1) excellent in the highest degree; extraordinary; superb; supremely good; heavenly; (2) relating to or proceeding directly from God; heavenly-minded

Prayers:
• Divine Wisdom, reveal Your great good.
• Divine Silliness, grant me the spirit to understand things in the light of humor.
• Divine Clarity, open my mind to Your pure view.
     Note: The word ‘divine’ can be put in front of any of the qualities (or combination of qualities), depending upon which divine aspects you are striving for, and wish to invoke.

Quotes:
• Human beings must be known to be loved; but Divine beings must be loved to be known. —  Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) French polymath [five disciplines]
• The greatest error of a man is to think that he is weak by nature, evil by nature. Every man is divine and strong in his real nature. What are weak and evil are his habits, his desires and thoughts, but not himself. — Ramana Maharshi [born Venkataraman Iyer] (1879-1950) Indian Hindu sage
     Note: Each human is made up of a body, a mind, a personality (with freewill), a soul, and a Spirit. All of which are created by, or come from, the Divine.

Comment: Reducing God to an exclusive Absolute separates the Divine Person to an infinite distance. Evaluating God as an inclusive Absolute allows for the most intimate and best friendship.

Symbol: the meteorite [any object falling from heaven is considered a sacred symbol]

Definitions: (1) composed of distinct elements or qualities; (2) attracted to various interests; (3) pluralistic; coexistent

Derivation: Latin, “to turn in different directions”

Quote: Life – all life – is in the service of life. Necessary nutrients are made available to life by life in greater and greater richness as the diversity of life increases. — Frank Patrick Herbert Jr. (1920-1986) Dune {1965}

Observation: Everybody needs something different.

Comment: We are all chasing the meaning of life, the reason for existence. In the end, we all come to similar conclusions, but it will have a million different spins on it. That’s diversity; that’s Divinity.

Symbol: nature

Definitions: (1) separated from others by extraordinary qualities; (2) exhibiting an air of poise and dignity; renowned; positive; famous; conspicuous

Derivation: Latin, “to divide,” “to separate”

Synonyms: Distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority, something which makes a person stand apart from others in the public view; celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print, widely spoken of with honor and respect; eminent implies great prominence for outstanding character, standing high compared with those around them; illustrious stresses enduring glory attached to actions or achievements of the highest quality; noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

Quotes:
• Wise leaders generally have wise counselors because it takes a wise person themselves to distinguish them. — Diogenes (412/404–323 BC) Greek philosopher
• The essence of belief is the establishment of a habit; and different beliefs are distinguished by the different modes of action to which they give rise. — Charles Sanders Peirce (1839–1914) American philosopher & logician

Definitions: (1) possessing a quality, mark, or feature of admirable difference; that which makes or keeps an individual unique; (2) specially recognized or honored; eminent; superior; famous

Synonyms: discerning, notable

Quote:
• All things will be clear and distinct to the man who does not hurry; haste is blind and improvident. — Titus Livius [aka: Livy] (59 bc–ad 17) Roman historian
• Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done. — Benjamin Elijah Mays (1894–1984) American minister & civil rights leader

Definition: playful; indulging in amusement; frolicsome; (2) diversion from work or serious matters

Derivation: Old French, “to carry away”

Balancing Quality: Fair play

Quote:
• If all the year were playing holidays, to sport would be as tedious as work. — William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Hamlet {1603}
• If our condition were truly happy, we would not seek diversion from it in order to make ourselves happy. —  Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) French polymath [five disciplines]

Definitions: (1) having excellent taste or judgment; (2) analytical; discerning; perspicacious

Compatible Qualities: discerning, decisive, direct

Quote: The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil. — Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 bc) Roman philosopher

Reflection: It is necessary to periodically reevaluate your ‘truth,’ particularly those negative things. When you come to understand a previous belief is no longer what you now hold, let it go, but do not dismiss the whole category. I’ve known quite a few people who; after deciding they did not believe in some of the precepts of the Catholic church, not only disassociated themselves with the offending concepts but with religion altogether. This is called throwing the baby out with the bathwater. One does need to discriminate, to evolve a greater understanding of reality, but this can be done surgically. Let go of the single outmoded concept and leave the remaining structure intact. Allow the space of lesser truth to be filled with greater truth. Keep your hope alive for a better understanding. Actively investigate superior ideas and ideals.

Definitions: (1) good judgment in conduct; (2) unpretentious; modest; (3) capable of preserving silence; cautious; prudent; (4) able to determine hidden meanings or motive and keep them unrevealed

Derivation: Latin, “to discern,” “distinguish,” “to separate or sift apart”

Synonyms: careful, circumspect

Familial Quality: perspicacity

Saying: If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.

Idiom: Discretion is the better part of valor.

Quote: Be discreet in all things, and so render it unnecessary to be mysterious. — Arthur Wellesley (1769–1852) 1st Duke of Wellington

Tip: Watch what you say. Before you say it, project what effect it will have on the listeners, and those who it may be within earshot.

Definitions: (1) preparation of the mental, moral, and physical powers by instruction, self-management, and exercise; (2) the result of training; self-control; orderly conduct

Synonyms:  ascetic, self-correcting, self-educated, self-regulating

Compatible Qualities: commitment, striving

Quotes:
• Seek freedom and become captive to your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty. — Frank Patrick Herbert Jr. (1920-1986) Chapterhouse Dune {1985}
• Discipline is the bridge between thought and accomplishment … the bridge between inspiration and value achievement … the bridge between necessity and productivity. — Emanuel James “Jim” Rohn (1930-2009) American motivational speaker

Advice: What time of day are you the sharpest, most energetic, most clear-headed? Are you a morning person or a late-night person? Don’t fritter away this valuable time with mundane or routine tasks. Do the most difficult and important things at your optimum time.

Questions:
• What must I do?
• What will it take?
• Who must I become?

Symbol: the yoke

Definition: (1) revealing insight and understanding; discriminating; capable of seeing, knowing, and judging; sharp-sighted; shrewd; astute <discerning motives>; (2) able to see eye to eye

Quotes:
• A discerning eye needs only a hint, and understatement leaves the imagination free to build its own elaborations. — Montague Russell Page (1906–1985) British landscape architect
• To discern what weaknesses and faults separate you from God, you must enter into your own inward ground and then confront yourself. — Johannes Tauler (c. 1300–1361) German mystic & theologian

Comment: It doesn’t matter what some so-called expert says about it, you’re going to decide for yourself anyway. You may open your ear a little bit wider if you happen to believe the source has good credentials, but even then, you are the one sifting the information through your filters.

Visualization: The unaided human eye, under the best possible viewing conditions, comparing large areas of color, in good illumination, using both eyes, can distinguish 10,000,000 different colored surfaces. — 1986 Guinness Book of World Records