Decisions

Not all large decisions can be well made by simply listing the pros and cons of a given situation, helpful and necessary as this process is. We cannot always depend on what seems to us to be logical. When there is doubt about our logic, we wait upon God and listen for the voice of intuition. If, in meditation, that voice is persistent enough, we may well gain sufficient confidence to act upon that, rather than upon logic.
(As Bill Sees It, Day 202)
21 October 2015

Inventory

As we inventory our fears, we may discover that they are a direct result of our inability to make decisions.
(The Twelve Steps For Christians, p. 68)
26 June 2015

Power

Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, Norfolk, VA

Photo by: Mr. Dickie

In general, we keep our power when we protect the power of others.
(Thomas Moore, Care Of The Soul, p., 126)

One of the marks of mental health is the degree to which people realize that they have control over their own lives and exercise that power to choose.
(Dr. Henry Cloud, The Secret Things Of God, p. 204)

... I have choices and may make whatever decisions I desire in my best interests, provided those decisions do no harm another person.
(Hope For Today, 18 May)

No man can hinder you from living according to the reason of your nature; nothing will happen to you contrary to the reason of universal nature.
(Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Chapter VI, 58)

17 June 2015

Troubles

I know that constant dwelling on my troubles lessens my ability to see them clearly and make wise decisions. I will not complicate the present by reviewing the past; nor will I dread what may happen tomorrow. One way to make detachment easier is to eliminate the past and future from my thoughts.

He who frees himself of hampering regrets for the past and worry about what lies ahead finds himself able to deal with the present.

(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 16 November)
14 May 2015

The Course Of Our Lives

Capitol Christmas Tree

Capitol Building Shrouded in Plastic and Scaffolding

Christmas 2014

Photo by Mr. Dickie

Failure is one of life's most powerful teachers. How we handle our failures determines whether we're going to simply get by in life or press on.
(Beth Moore, in 100 Days Of Prayer For Women, p. 31)

... it takes a close call before most people will put the emphasis in their lives on the sense of purpose and meaning.
(Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Sky's The Limit, p. 322)

The course of our lives is seldom determined by great, life-altering decisions. Our direction is often set by the small day-to-day choices that chart the track on which we run. This is the substance of our lives - making choices.
(Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand A Little Taller, 2 January)
28 December 2014

Decisions

It is the little decisions that make the great differences in our lives.
(Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand A Little Taller, 20 May)

One of the most important decisions you'll ever make in your life is to let other people be responsible for their own decisions.
(Richard E. Henthorn, 18 May 2014)
20 June 2014

Regret

When people grow old, they are sometimes consumed with regret.

They wish they had done more, seen more, and accomplished more.

They feel that their lives are not justified, and they wish they could merit the esteem of their children and their communities.

They feel that they wasted too much time, and didn't seize opportunities in ways they can now see.

They wish life had taken a different turn.
(Thomas Moore, Dark Nights Of The Soul, p. 295)
7 December 2013

Banking On Good Will

All leaders have a certain amount of good will in their bank account when they start work at a new job. From then on, they either build up their account or pay it out. Bad decisions and poor people skills cost them until they run out of credit and credibility. It doesn't matter whether the blunders are big or small, when you're account is empty, you are out as a leader. (after John C. Maxwell, Leadership, 5 June) 5 June 2013

Character

(Photo by Mr. Dickie)

Character does not evolve by chance; it is forged by practical decisions made in mundane circumstances of everyday experiences. (Les Dahl in The Upper Room Disciplines - 2003, 22 September) 3 May 2013

Decisions

Regrets for missed opportunities, however, can be erased from our minds by trying to make wiser decisions from now on.  (One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 13 April) 7 August 2012

Point Of View

I should keep away from things that are upsetting emotionally. (Twenty-Four Hours A Day, 15 April)

It is ... difficult to accept that we have made some costly mistakes, poor decisions, and bad choices. (Iyanla Vanzant, Until Today! 29 March)

Indeed, this need of individuals to be right is so great that they are willing to sacrifice themselves, their relationships, and even love for it. (Renee Howe in Touchstones, 28 April)

I will relinquish the need to defend my point of view.
I will feel no need to convince or persuade others to accept my point of view.
I will remain open to all points of view and not be rigidly attached to any one of them.
(Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, p.64)
14 May 2012

Worry

Remember that you are deprived of nothing except by your own decisions, and then decide otherwise. (A Course In Miracles, Chapter 4, IV, 3, 3, p. 63)

Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired ... (Matthew 6:1 (TLB) Daily Guideposts - 2011, 28 March)

I will continue feeling bad until my attitude improves! (Iyanla Vanzant, Until Today!, 6 January)

... the things I see in others could be the very things they see in me. (Iyanla Vanzant, Until Today!, 23 March)

You can always tell when someone is saying something that you are resistant to hearing because it hits you in the pit of your stomach. (Iyanla Vanzant, Until Today!, 24 March)

Worriers think about what happened yesterday.  They are sure it's a clue to the awful things that are going to happen tomorrow. (after One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 22 March)
3 May 2012

Everything Matters

Life is so much easier if we don't feel sorry for ourselves. (Helen Casey in Keepers Of The Wisdom by Karen Casey, 3 February)

We have been given certain tools with which to run our life, and the free will to use them. (One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 3 February)

When it comes to making small changes in our lives and brains, the motto to embrace is: everything matters.  Exercise, food, sleep, whom we marry, the work we do - all of it counts; all of it affects our brains. ... Paying attention to the detail of daily life, and making good choices, is the way to mental fitness. (Ratey and Johnson, Shadow Syndromes, p. 351)

We may be arrogant, thinking we already know the answers to life's dilemmas; or defiant, thinking we don't want anyone to tell us what to do; or self-indulgent, grabbing for the greatest pleasure. (Touchstones, 29 February) 24 March 2012

We The People

[We have fallen into] ... a lazy habit: the unexamined notion that decisions made in Washington reflect the will of the American people and the public's underlying values.  The public has its main say on one day every two years: election day.  The choice is between two political parties that cynically ignore their constituencies the very next day in order to carry out policies aimed at the rich and powerful rather than the voters.  (Jeffrey D. Sachs, The Price Of Civilization, p. 106)  1 February 2012

Decisions

Photo: Mr. Dickie - Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, KS

"We make our decisions and then our decisions turn around and make us."  (F.W. Boreham in Chapter-By-Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe, p., 709) 5 January 2012

Count On It

Some decisions made by bosses, bureaucrats, other powerful higher-ups can wreak havoc on our personal lives.  As carefully as we planned some things we counted on just aren't going to be.  And some things we thought would never happen are laid squarely in our laps.  (Larsen and Hegarty, Believing In Myself, 16 December) 17 December 2011

History

[Throughout history] Dishonorable, cowardly decisions invariably have led us to corruption and destruction.  Honorable, visionary decisions have led us to creation and advancement.  (Larsen and Hegarty, Believing In Myself, 21 November) 26 November 2011

Flawed Processes

Flawed assessment and decision-making processes are what tend to get many people into trouble and bring them disappointment, resentment, failure, and severe negative consequences.  (Mary Ellen O'Toole, Dangerous Instincts, p. 28)

******

Last night while channel surfing I found a very nice two-hour program about ventriloquist Jeff Dunham on Biography.  I started watching at the halfway point.  They repeated the program again immediately following the one I watched.  I stayed with it in order to see the whole thing.

In Maryland, where we live, there are many state trust funds earmarked for specific purposes.  For example, Chesapeake Bay Cleanup.  Millions of dollars in taxation have been approved to obtain the money for these trusts.  I watched a television report about how the lawmakers are diverting these monies for unauthorized purposes.  Of course, there is little discussion because they don't want the public to be aware of what's going on.  It's one more indicator of the fact that our government no longer works and that we have elected the wrong people.  I'd venture to guess that this isn't a situation that is limited only to the state of Maryland.  Enough is Enough!

Mr. Dickie

23 November 2011

Mind Your Own Business

Don't make sweeping judgments on anyone else's problems, or suggest decisions that should be made.  Let the other person make them for himself.  (after One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 15 October) 1 November 2011

Ben's Chili Bowl

 Small decisions can have big consequences.  (Steve Case, Everything Counts, 9 October)

I will not forget that each of my actions today will affect others, and I will act with compassion.  (In God's Care, 10 October)

******

Yesterday Cyndi and I paid our first visit to the famous Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street in Washington, DC. We ate and late lunch and even talked with the owner, Virginia Ali, for a few minutes.  We ate in the back room where the walls are covered with photos of many famous people who have visited over the years.

After lunch we walked a couple of blocks to the Montserrat House on 9th Street where we attended the gallery show and book signing of photos taken by entertainer, Moby.  Before the book signing Moby and two ladies gave a very nice thirty minute concert.

We took the subway from the College Park station.

Mr. Dickie
28 October 2011