The Lazy Man
As a door turn on its hinges,
With a sound everyone cringes.
So the lazy one turns on his bed,
While his family needs to be fed.
How long will you sleep?
Is slumber really that deep?
When will you arise?
The sun already shines!
A folding of hands, a little more slumber,
While little ones hunger.
What worth are you man,
But to do what you can?
The world and flesh hang on hinges
Both move in rhythemic binges.
Yet neither are heaven nearer,
Than he that is not a hearer.
Franklin’s Fugio Cent & His 13 Virtues
On April 21, 1787, the Congress of the Confederation of the United States authorized a design for an official copper penny. It was later referred to as the Fugio cent because of its image of the Sun and its light shining down on a sundial with the caption, “Fugio” (Latin: I flee, referring to time flying by). By some accounts, this coin was designed by Benjamin Franklin as a reminder to its holders, he put at its bottom the message, “Mind your business”. This design was based on the 1776 “Continental dollar” coin, which was produced in pattern pieces but was never circulated. It consists of 10 grams of copper.
The reverse side bore the motto “We Are One” surrounded by thirteen chain links, representing the original thirteen colonial states. Notice the 13 interlocking rings on the coin’s design as shown above. It symbolizes the colonies and Franklin’s virtues. He believed every person should be responsible for building his or her own character.
Check out this link below for a further discussion of those 13 virtues:
https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/behavior/the-virtuous-life-wrap-up/
The Power of Gratitude
Is it natural for humans to focus on all the good things they have or instead on all the things they don’t have? It is the latter. And it is a recipe for discontent, depression, and despair, per Gregory Jantz. He wrote an excellent article on “The Healing Power of Gratitude” in The Epoch Times this November. It is from that article that several of the following points are made.
So why be grateful in a world that is so depressing at times? Why incorporate it into our daily lives? Gratitude is the antidote for every toxic thing that comes into our lives. It fosters optimism, which strengthens hope, much lacking in our society today. There is a body of research that demonstrates how gratitude enhances our well-being. It improves self-esteem, better sleep, boosts immunity, decreases depression, reduces anxiety, and stronger relationships.
Some people keep a gratitude journal. They record at least three things per day they are thankful for. People who continue this activity score 25% higher on surveys that measure happiness. They also sleep a half-hour longer most nights. Grateful people exercise 33% more every week than unthankful people.
Gratitude is something we can control. It is a deliberate attitude. When we do, we often find that hope, courage, joy, and contentment rise, shifting our focus from negative to positive. Gratitude reveals the bright side in dark times. Today, we live in dark times, don’t we? So how do we start? Here are a few ideas to get started as shared by the article’s author referenced above.
- Notice the small moments that bring you joy.
- Keep a gratitude journal. List 3 blessings in your life and describe how they enrich you.
- Take a fresh look at friends and family. Count your blessings for those who love and support you.
- Celebrate creativity. Be grateful you live in such a rich and textured creative culture.
- Make daily rituals memorable. Sit and enjoy your morning coffee rather than quaffing it down as you hurry out the door.
- Look at the world through a child’s eyes. Don’t fret about the future or dwell in the past. Appreciate the present moment, with all of its opportunities and pleasures.
- Give a compliment to someone. Write down what you appreciate about that individual and the quality you admire.
- Pray or meditate. Shut out a noisy world and focus personal thoughts on God rather than yourself.
- Mine today for possibility. Every day is an opportunity to steer your life in a new direction and find blessings.
So what are you waiting for? Get started now!
Lies, Liars, and False Deniers
Why do we seem so ready to accept false testimony and lies against people we barely know? Does hate reside in our hearts against our neighbors and toward our political leaders? Perhaps our depravity is on display as we join others in accepting false testimony as accurate and true without further evidence or thought. A false testimony seeks to bruise a good man’s reputation, spoil his good works, and, if possible, deprive him of his life and any public political service. The one who slanders and lies about a good person exhibits their own wickedness and hatred.
“Once a country is habituated (or accustomed) to liars, it takes generations to get the truth back.” ― Gore Vidal
Advice – Disagreements with Neighbors
When a disagreement arises with your neighbor, don’t rush to action in a court of law. First, go to your neighbor and try to reconcile your differences. If you are unsuccessful, then consider the following questions:
- Is this disagreement trivial? How substantial is this disagreement?
- How do you intend to manage it before taking him to court?
- How much will your out-of-pocket expenses be in court costs?
- What level of certainty do you have of success?
- How much stress are you willing to endure, and for how long?
- How will you move forward if the court rules against your charges and in favor of your neighbor?
You might consider prayer. Ask the Lord to change your neighbor’s heart and your heart to do what is best for both parties. God may be gracious to you both with the dispute resolved. Whatever agreement is made in secret, it must never be divulged or made known to others. A man that cannot keep a secret will be forever known as a blabber and gossip and cannot be trusted to do what he says he will do.
Bill Wyler
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