Spiritual Hippo

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

~ Romans 15:13

There is so much to say, so many ways to go discussing the spiritual nature and seriousness of the Christmas season.

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

~ James 4:14

You “gained” an hour back in your life recently.  What did you do with that wonderful gift? Did you prioritize your next moves, to build relationships and serve others? 

Lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth;
Lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust;
Lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace;
Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe.

~ Satish Kumar

Frequently attributed to Mother Teresa, who encouraged her co-workers and others to use it, I share this prayer with you post election.

Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny. ~ C.S. Lewis

Covid, two hurricanes (one displacing us for the next four to six months) and now pneumonia have taught me that there is a simpler and more humble way. 

“Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.” ~ Bishop Fulton Sheen

Seems simple and not always easy. Especially in today’s polarized world of politics, culture and technology.

“I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us, and we change things.”   ~ Mother Theresa

In 1982 I had the amazing good fortune to meet Mother Theresa. 

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”  ~  Mother Theresa

Teamwork, co-creation, interests in a common cause for the greater good of something and someone. 

“Whoever wishes to rank first must remain the last one and the servant of all”. 

~ Mark 9:35

Ambition, pride and hubris…among all the other ways we can channel our behavior; is human. 

“Whoever wishes to rank first must remain the last one and the servant of all”. 

~ Mark 9:35

Ambition, pride and hubris…among all the other ways we can channel our behavior; is human.  There’s so much talk about servant leadership today and still, rarely is it exhibited, even in the occasional way.  I had an interesting exchange recently in a faith based setting that caused discomfort when I mentioned this was not only needed, and also demanded of us to live a truly righteous, fulfilled life.  So even the most aware of these teachings struggle with this.  Have you noticed that the greatest of us tend to also be some of the most humble, and giving?  Servant leadership: It takes practice.