The resolve I possess
Why are some filled with resolve and fortitude while others fold at the first sign of weakness? This is an age-old question. It does not appear to have anything to do with external or physical strength. The weakest-looking men can, seemingly, withstand the harshest of onslaughts. A tiny throng of Spartans withstood the assault of the hoards of the Persian Empire, only succumbing when subjected to trickery. (1)
Continue reading The resolve I possessPodcast Episode 55: Take a day off. Learn to relax yourself from the stresses and frustration of life.
Podcast Episode 54: As the Lotus Eaters show us, we must be careful not to stumble into lethargy and sloth.
Seek and ye shall find!
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” This is from Matthew 7:7–8, the seventh and eighth verses of the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, (1) in the New Testament, an important part of the iconic Sermon on the Mount. (2) The theme is the power of prayer.
Continue reading Seek and ye shall find!Podcast Episode 53: Don’t go fake! Realize that success takes effort. If you want to circumvent the toil required in developing a sophisticated life, you will only end up to be a fool.
Podcast Episode 52: How do you find your way when you are lost?
My day of gloom
We live in a society that glorifies happiness and joy but dismisses and vilifies doom and gloom — sadness if you will. But how real is this? Life is mostly painful and unpleasant. There is only fleeting joy in the average person’s life. This realization produces a lot of distress and confusion because we are told our ultimate task in life is to be happy — to bask in this feeling endlessly. Any 16-year-old student when queried about their goal in life will often say, “I just want to be happy.” Aristotle further muddies the water by suggesting that happiness is something we must experience along life’s journey. (1) So how do I get to this state of contentedness?
Continue reading My day of gloomPodcast Episode 51: A high degree does not necessarily be a higher level of morality. An education must also include spiritual and philosophical (searching for truth) components
Where do the lessons of life reside?
I am always reminded that the real lessons of life lie in chance encounters or simple situations. These occurrences present golden nuggets of wisdom dangled before our eyes. They must be grasped. We sadly often miss them, or at least I do. The great philosophers and sages have eminent parables to relate to and clever treatises to promulgate. The thoughts of the individual “just getting through life” are often as profound, however.
Continue reading Where do the lessons of life reside?