Dear Folks,
We acquire virtue just like we acquire crafts, you learn to build by building. — Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) Philosopher
At first blush, Dynamic and Tidy seem to be disparate qualities. But, after reading the definitions, maybe one could ‘exhibit organized power in motion” while cleaning out the refrigerator, or producing a ‘fair solution to a problem of growth.’
            DYNAMIC
Definitions: (1) exhibiting power in motion; involving or causing energy; (2) active; vigorous; forceful; (3) relating to or tending toward change or growth
Color: pure red
Symbol: the ocean
            TIDY

Definitions: (1) in good order; neat; (2) organized; systematic; methodical; (3) precise and appropriate <especially in manner and dress for a particular occasion>; (4) an acceptable and fair solution to a problem
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
Realize you can open your arms to change, without letting go of your values.
Pray — there is immeasurable power in it.
Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
— Selections from: Instructions for Life, Anonymous
We do not often think of ourselves as Regal, but as your read the definitions, imagine it as a positive goal.
I have been grateful to all of you receiving these messages for the last 20 years, and, I suppose, my complimentary close of “Peace” has been a prayer-wish for you. From today and moving forward, I will think of you with a Prayerful attitude.
            REGAL
Definitions: (1) exhibiting notable excellence or even magnificence; splendid; (2) relating to or suitable for royalty
            PRAYERFUL

Definitions: (1) worshipful communion to or with God; (2) spiritual or meditative contemplation; (3) devout; (4) earnest and sincere
Compatible Quality: intuition
Parental Quality: faith
Consequential Quality: insight
Saying: Laborare est orare (Latin): “To work is to pray.”
Quotes:
You can’t pray a lie. — Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (1835-1910) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
God answers man’s prayer by giving him an increased revelation of truth, an enhanced appreciation of beauty, and an augmented concept of goodness. Prayer is a subjective gesture, but it contacts with mighty objective realities on the spiritual levels of human experience; it is a meaningful reach by the human for superhuman values. It is the most potent spiritual-growth stimulus.
Words are irrelevant to prayer; they are merely the intellectual channel in which the river of spiritual supplication may chance to flow. The word value of a prayer is purely autosuggestive in private devotions and sociosuggestive in group devotions. God answers the soul’s attitude, not the words. — The Urantia Book (91:8.11-12)
Prayers:
• Make up your own prayers or modify these. Remember prayers are not the words. Your sincere heart is doing the praying. Your open mind is receiving the light. Your prayer is personal.
• Dear God, you are The Upholder. Thank you for the gift of life. Just as the bird sits on her nest, so do you patiently and knowingly nurture our growth.
Daily Prayer
I am thankful for this new day. My mind and heart are open to all experiences because they teach me what I need to know. Those persons, places, and things I can benefit and can benefit me are drawn to me and I to them. I am a blessing to all whom I meet today. I am valuable and deserve to be happy.
I forgive all who need to be forgiven; and everyone who needs to forgive me does so now. I can deal with whatever may happen to me today. There is nothing to fear, the Knower within me guides me perfectly in all decisions.
I am healthy and whole and respect my body. My positive, affirmative thoughts shield me from all negativity and doubt. I let go of worn out things and worn out conditions. I replace them with fresh, vibrant, and abundant ideas. I am alive, alert, and aware. I walk in the paths of fairness, right action, and gratitude – all of the time, whether I think about it or not.
I align myself consciously and deliberately with the Supreme. I am a child of the universe, and am filled with the faith God is in charge of my life. It is my will to align with The Will.
Good morning One! Thank you for this day! Thank you for me! Thank you for my friends. Thank you for the world. May all my thoughts, words, and actions of today be in service to the highest good. — Australian Aboriginal, Mutant Message

Divine intelligence, what positive, constructive, creative thought, word, attitude, or action is my next step to improve my present work? What is the next step into … abundance, satisfaction and freedom …? — Catherine Ponder (1927 – ) The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity

Our Mother, who art beneath us, you support us, nurture us, bring us the gift of life. Hear the prayers of your children and forgive us our trespasses. Intervene on our behalf for those other lives, great and small, which suffer when we err. Oh, Mother, we pray. Help us to face danger and be wise. — David Brin (1950 – ) Earth
Inspiration:
We seek, through prayer and meditation, to improve our conscious contact with God (as we understand the concept). Praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry it out. — Number eleven of the Alcoholics Anonymous twelve‑step program
Observations:
• Praying is an efficient way to clarify our understanding of our intended needs and concepts.
• In order for a prayer to be effective, we must first possess and have honestly aspired to the qualities of industriousness, stamina, surrender, decisiveness, dedication, wisdom, and faith.
Comment: The sincere motive of your prayer is the payload; your faith is the propellant sending it swiftly and surely to an eager Divine Source. Since God is always open to give, and has an unlimited supply of goodness, truth, mercy, or any positive quality, you will get what you need.
Prayer changes, expands, and clarifies your attitude and insight.
Types of Prayers:
• Adoration, Praise
• Forgiveness, Contrition
• Submission, Acceptance
• Thankful, Grateful, Appreciative
• Wishful, Needful, Helpful, Petitionary
• Affirming, Knowing
• Aligning, Faithful
• Contemplative
• Denial
Note: Denial should be meshed with an affirming prayer, such as, “I will not accept this negative situation. I know Divine Order will prevail, and I accept God’s structure. The evil here does not touch me, but I will learn from it.”
Experience: When I used to hitchhike, I would not fret and worry about the next ride or when I would get it. I would instead build up a prayer to give to the next person kind enough to bring me down the road. I would do this by being conscious of all that was happening to me and around me. I would add special inner prayer wishes for the good of the person who finally opened there door, and thus their heart, to me. As each driver approached I would mentally let them know a wealth of good energy would be theirs if they chose to pick me up.
I did not often get rides from female drivers, but one time, while I was using this technique, I did. She was amazed that she had stopped. I told her why and we had a very nice conversation about the important things in life.
Symbols: 1) the eagle; 2) the bow and arrow
Legendary Object: A Japanese legend holds that the crane lives for a thousand years, and your prayer or wish will come true if you fold a thousand paper cranes.
Mythological Figure: Sandalphon, in Jewish mythology, one of three angels who receive prayers from the faithful and weave them into crowns
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe; to match your nature with Nature. — Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) Mythologist
Acquiring positive qualities is in the pursuit, the attempt one makes. We can look back and see if we have made progress, and then turn forward and carry on with the endeavor. I was reminded of this when I read ‘well-meaning’ in the definition for Goodness.
If one can achieve the state of mind expressed in the quote above, they will be well on their way to having a Pastoral life. Do not assume you would then have a boring life. You can add as much spice as you like.
PASTORAL
Definition: characteristic of pleasant rural life; peaceful, simple, and natural; innocent
Proverb: A butterfly never hurries – even when pursued. — Chinese
Symbols: 1) the farmer; 2) the shepherd
Fictional Figure: Beulah, the idyllic land of sunshine and delight. — John Bunyan (1628-1688) Pilgrim’s Progress,
Mythological Figures: 1) Cybele, the Phrygian goddess of nature; 2) Demeter, the Greek god of agriculture and fruitfulness; 3) Ceres, the Roman god of agriculture and fruits of the harvest
GOODNESS
Definitions: (1) excellence of character, morale, or virtue; (2) generous and kindly feelings; benevolence; (3) the best part
Derivation: Sanskrit, “what one clings to”; Old English, “God”
Saying: If darkness is, then darkness is good. — Mbuti
Quotes:

It is noble to be good and it’s nobler to teach others to be good, and less trouble. — Mark Twain [born Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (1835-1910) American Humorist

Goodness begets goodness; but to the one who is truly good, evil also begets goodness. — Lao‑tse (6^th Century bc) Chinese Philosopher, Founder of Taoism

There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns away from Him. — C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish-born British Novelist

It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness. — Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) Russian Writer

Note: Because beauty is so compelling goodness is felt in it. Magnificent beauty can draw you into the realm of goodness.
Comment: If you are good to someone, they get the direct benefit of your act of kindness. But does your simple personal goodness also benefit more broadly? When you are practicing goodness to even one other, they will be more likely to live goodness as well. Therefore, your personal benevolent act spreads out. No matter how private your goodness, you are adding to the greater good.
Consideration: The results of being good are usually evident.
Advice: When in doubt, focus on the good, focus on what you know to be correct and true. Ask your heart whether or not you are doing the right thing. Ask your friends, but your friends may be more cautious, more conservative than your ideals, so even though they are well‑meaning you are going to have to take their responses with a grain of salt. It may mean they are not willing to take the steps you are willing to take. Both intuition and goodness are intrinsic. Use them together.
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
Always bear in mind that your resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing. — Abraham Lincoln (1806-1865) 16^th U.S. President
What would be of such value we should make it our Resolute purpose? If it is too low, we will get tired of it or out live it. It must be something with a long life, something eternal. Then we will be able to identify with it forever. As it becomes clearer, we will – to that extent – be able to share it with others. True Persuasiveness is a connection of two (or more) subjective realities with The Objective Reality.
            PERSUASIVE
Definitions: (1) causing someone to do something <especially by urging or influencing>; to prevail upon; (2) inducing someone to believe something <especially through proof or logic>; convincing
Synonyms: entice, exhort, win over
Symbol: the Empress (tarot)
            RESOLUTE
Definition: having a fixed, firm purpose; showing tenacity, determined; steady; persevering; steadfast
Synonyms: bold, constant, decided, unflinching, unshaken, unwavering
Saying: Ne cede malis (Latin): “Yield not to misfortunes.”

Quotes:

If the going is tough and the pressure is on; if reserves of strength have been drained and the summit is still not in sight; then the quality to seek in a person is neither great strength nor quickness of hand, but rather a resolute mind firmly set on its purpose that refuses to let its body slacken or rest. — Sir Edmund Hillary (1919-2008) New Zealand Mountaineer
Charter of the United Nations:
We, the peoples of the United Nations
Determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and
To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women, and of nations large and small, and
To establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and
To promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, and for these ends
To practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors, and
To unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and
To ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and
To employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all people,
have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims.
Affirmation: I resolve everything in love.
Advice: Even if the task is big, don’t let it stop you from beginning, at least a part of it. Rosa Parks did a very simple thing by refusing to give up her seat on the bus. The task of ending discrimination and freeing the hearts and minds of the oppressed and oppressor was daunting. Courage and simple honesty are what it takes to begin.
If the larger task intimidates you, focus on it long enough to prioritize the smaller pieces. Then take the job at the top of the list and get to it.
 
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Boy Scout law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. — The Boy Scouts’ Oath, 1908
On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times and to live by the Girl Scouts’ law. — The Girl Scouts’ Promise, 1915
We are all master manipulators when it comes to justifying our own behavior. One of the prerequisites of attaining an Honorable nature is to be honest with ourselves. That takes some Discipline.
            HONORABLE

Definitions: (1) worthy of great respect; highly regarded; estimable; (2) motivated by principles of honor with a scrupulous regard to probity, rectitude, or reputation
Synonyms: dignity, nobility, renown, spirit, upright
Quote: What is honored in a country is cultivated there. — Plato (428-348 bc) Greek Philosopher
Note: What is honored in the self is also cultivated there.
Symbol: the turtle
            DISCIPLINED
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: correct, educate, regulate
Compatible Qualities: commitment, striving
Quotes:

Seek freedom and become captive to your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty. — Frank Herbert (1920-1986) Chapterhouse Dune

Discipline is the bridge between thought and accomplishment . . . the bridge between inspiration and value achievement . . . the bridge between necessity and productivity. — 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
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
We create ourselves, from the inside out, each day of our lives. — Dr. Michael Merzenich (1942 -) Neuroscience Professor
I have a lot to say about Creative, but, of course, it is all worth the read. It is said, and may be true, that all creativity comes from The Creator; if so then adding Reverence to the creative process could be a good idea.
            REVERENT
Definition: feeling profound respect or expressing adoring veneration; worshipful
            CREATIVE
Definitions: (1) to bring into being; to originate; to cause to exist; (2) characterized by originality and execution of thought; (3) forming something new; inventive
Synonyms: constitutive, generative, productive, resourceful
Balancing Qualities: ability, harmony, practicality, responsibility, talent
Compatible Qualities: adaptability, devoted, dreaming, flexible, humorous, playful, whimsical
Familial and Consequential Qualities: Three qualities work well with creativity: courage, curiosity, and confidence. Confidence is an element of courage. In order to be courageous, in the inventive sense, one needs a measure of curiosity.
Curiosity creates the positive impetus to venture into an unknown situation. Your fear says there may also be difficulty in that place, but your inquisitiveness, your sense of wonder, can be your guiding light. How will this new experience relate to something I really want? What does it look like? What does it feel like? What does it taste like? This is how curiosity leads to courage. Once you experience some courage, you become confident. Confidence allows you to commit to a course of action that surely will foster difficulty but also will lead to many experiences of joy and growth. You are then literally becoming a new person.
People Who Exemplify This Quality:
There are different avenues and types of creativity.
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) [words]; Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) [music]; Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) [politics]; Albert Einstein (1879-1955) [math]; Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) [dance]; I. M. Pei (1917- ) [architecture]; Jonathan Winters (1925- ) [comedy]
Quotes:

We are creators! And creators act. — Jacquelyn Small, Transformers, the Therapists of the Future

It is the creative potential itself in human beings that is the image of God. — Mary Daly (1928-2010) American Theologian

Creative thinking may simply mean the realization that there’s no particular virtue in doing things the way they have always been done. — Rudolf Flesch (1911-1986) Readability Expert

Why should we all use our creative power? Because there is nothing that makes people so generous, joyful, lively, bold, and compassionate. — Brenda Ueland (1891-1985) American Writer

Creating, I have concluded, is the best window to the universe I know. — Robert Fritz (1943 – ) The Path of Least Resistance

If anything could truly change the face of our civilization, it is the creative process. — Robert Fritz (1943 – ) The Path of Least Resistance

Notes:
• In Mr. Fritz’s quotes one could substitute any favorite quality. Every quality is transformative.
• In The Path of Least Resistance, Robert Fritz says if you use your feelings as a standard of measurement, you will always gravitate toward what is familiar. But if you are creating something new, then by its very nature, your pursuit will be and therefore feel unfamiliar. So if you cannot depend upon feelings, then it is the quality of wonder taking you forward.
Observation: One of the hardest parts of being original is getting outside of the existing paradigms, especially when the established prototype is a good one. When the bird is the only model, how can humans believe they can fly?
Tips:
• Fight destruction with creation.
• Use your natural and developed abilities in your creative endeavors.
• Conflict inhibits the creative function of the inner life. It is like a civil war in the personality. Be creative in resolving conflict.
Suggestions:
• Leaving all your options open is good at the outset, but it is deadly to finalizing a creation. Commit to a particular route and reduce the possibilities as you progress The goal is a single point. Having a contingency, a Plan B if you fail, is reasonable, but having too many options is not workable.
• When that inner negative voice says you don’t have the money, you don’t have the will, you don’t have the ability – some of which might be true – you are telling yourself you need to develop the qualities you do not possess. If you’ve got a grand idea, then go get the education, or the talent, or the backing. It takes courage to do it.
• It takes time for the two sides of the creative process: absorption and execution. The fact that creativity ebbs and flows is a good reason to get the gifts of the muse down on paper, into a tape recorder, or onto a sketchbook when she is whispering in your ear.
If you are bathing continuously in your creative juices, you will not have time for the realistic application of your creation. You need to project it, to three-dimensionalize it, to turn it into that which it needs to become. After the creative spark, return to the idea at a more normal time, and in a practical manner accept the challenge to enhance your idea. You will also restir your creativity when you go back to your sketch and see the flash of brilliance there, ready to be expanded from a simple notion into a concept and, finally, a substantive reality.
Symbols: 1) dance; 2) the spiral; 3) the storm; 4) a volcano; 5) Aries (zodiac); 6) the Minstrel (tarot); 7) the mouth [speech]; 8) the spider [web spinning]; 9) weaving [warp = passive; woof = active]; 10) the letter ‘r’
Note: J. E. Cirlot (1916-1973) in A Dictionary of Symbols, points out that the trilled r is onomatopoeic, alluding to thunder as the symbol of creative power. It is for this reason most verbs in almost all languages contain the letter r.
Mythological Figures: 1) Bel is the Father of the Babylonian gods, the creator of the world and all its people; 2) Osiris, the primary Egyptian deity, is the source of fruitfulness and life, the sum of all benefits, creator and god of the Nile
Theological Figures: Brahma {The Creator} [the supreme god in the Hindu Trimurti]; Ahura Mazda {The lord of light and wisdom} [the highest deity of worship in Zoroastrianism]
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
The Buddhist eight‑fold Path:
• Right belief or view
• Right intention
• Right speech
• Right action
• Right livelihood
• Right endeavoring or effort
• Right mindfulness
• Right concentration or collectedness
If realized, one will be detached from illusion.
— Calm and Insight, Bhikkhu Phra Khantipalo, Buddhist Monk
One can initiate a quality simply by living it. If you consciously choose it while living it, you are giving it more impetus, more energy. Many qualities are passive by nature. We have two of them here this week: Quiet and Compliant. The most productive way to acquire qualities – even those which have you holding something back – is to choose them.

            QUIET

Definitions: (1) still; calm; at rest; (2) gentle; mild; placid; smooth; (3) not noisy; hushed; (4) free from disturbance or tumult; tranquil; peaceful; (5) not ostentatious or pretentious; (6) not forward; unobtrusive
Synonyms: contented, meek, pacific, satisfied, unruffled

Quote:   Learn to be silent. Let your quiet mind listen and absorb. — Pythagoras of Samos (c. 570–495 bc) Greek Mathematician

Advice:
• If something must be said, say it tactfully and kindly.
• Share and solidify your ideas and ideals with trusted friends.
• Control your tongue. Keep negative thoughts to yourself. Better yet, refuse negativity the ground to become rooted.

            COMPLIANT

Definitions: (1) ready or disposed to submit to a desire, demand, or proposal; (2) possessing a disposition to yield to others; flexible
Synonyms: acquiescent, consensual, obedient, submissive
Comment: Sometimes compliance is the most appropriate quality, as the boughs of a tree in the wind.
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
When you correct your mind, everything else falls into place. — Lao Tse (ca 604–531 B.C.) Taoism, Philosopher
I am Mindful of the vast differences we possess: young to old, foolish to wise, simple minded to brilliant, primitive to enlightened, etc. Yet positive qualities run throughout our collective mindscape. I will you all Good Will.
            MINDFUL
Definition: regarding with care; bearing in mind; heedful; observant; watchful; attentive; aware
Quote:

The mind is the connecting link between the formed and the unformed world. — Catherine Ponder (1927 – ) The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity

Comment: One of the mind’s purposes is to be a vector, to point a direction by first, posing questions and then, by comparing what we say we want to do to what we actually do.
            GOOD WILL
Definitions: (1) friendly disposition; benevolence; (2) cheerful consent; willing
Saying: Good will to all. — A Christmas wish
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
Regard your neighbor’s gain as your won gain, and your neighbors loss as your won loss. — Taoism, T’ai Shang Kan Ying P’ien
It is known: A Wholehearted dedication to the things that really matter does give a person a transcendently Placid temperament. We are all still battered with the vicissitudes of life, but it is possible to be in life and above it at the same time.
Peace,
Jim
            PLACID
Definitions: (1) possessing a gentle, quiet spirit; showing an undisturbed or equable demeanor; mild mannered; (2) peace of mind; serene; unruffled; calm; tranquil
Derivation: Latin, “to please”
            WHOLEHEARTED
Definition: showing devoted commitment, earnest enthusiasm, directed determination, or sincere and energetic focus
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
The Fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance — Paul of Tarsus (c. 5-67) The Bible, Galatians 5:22
As the seasons change from the harsh days of winter to the Gentle days of spring, we have a physical reminder to approach life and others in an Affable manner.
Peace,
Jim
            GENTLE

Definitions: (1) refined or polite; (2) generous; kind; (3) serene; patient; (4) mild; moderate
Synonyms: meek, pacific, peaceful, placid, quiet, soft
Balancing Qualities: determined, strong
Saying: Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re (Latin): “Gently in manner, strongly in deed”
Comment: We associate gentleness with the sense of touch; but even though we cannot physically touch most people, we can touch their hearts with the kindness of a smile, touch their minds with an encouraging word, or touch their funny bones with a sense of humor.
Symbol: the unicorn {Gentleness and Longevity} (Chinese)
            AFFABLE
Definitions: (1) easy to approach and talk to; courteous; (2) having effortless manners; gracious; (3) having a kindly countenance; benign
Synonyms: accessible, civil, complaisant, friendly, mild, polite, urbane
Consider the Source