Five Thoughts for a New Year
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control;
these three alone lead life to a sovereign place.”
--Tennyson
We are at the end of the first week of the new year. This week I have been sharing some basic thoughts that help me in my work. Hopefully they are helpful to you as well.
FRIDAY: Each day is all about GRACE.
Saving the best til last, I chose to write about grace today! All of the thoughts for the New Year shared with you this week are significant in living life well. The most significant thought for living well is always taking a moment to explore: "What is the grace-filled response I can give at this moment?"
There is a saying attributed to our Native American brothers and sisters: "If we look at the path, we do not see the sky. We are Earth people on a spiritual journey to the stars. Our quest, our Earth walk, is to look within, to know who we are, to see that we are connected to all things, that there is no separation, only in the mind." I believe there is a great deal of truth in this statement. Since we are connected to all things, doesn't it makes sense to be "grace-filled"?
In these challenging times, practice being grace-filled. I believe that is one of the things Tennyson meant when he talked about self-reverence.
--Ben Keckler
01.07.11
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, January 6
Five Thoughts for a New Year
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control;
these three alone lead life to a sovereign place.”
--Tennyson
The new year is well underway. This first week of the year I am sharing some basic thoughts that help me in my work. Hopefully they will be helpful to you as well.
THURSDAY: Each day is all about living within your boundaries.
As we continue looking at some thoughts that I find helpful, we must look at a very significant subject: boundaries. This can be a tough one. Some of you when reading the subject began to vision borders or walls. Some of you, on the other hand may have thought, "the sky is the limit." Life lived successfully is really about exploring what your boundaries are and then living within them.
A few years ago a friend decide to set some new boundaries for her care giving. For years she shared her gifts with marginalized people within her home church. She performed her tasks with great compassion. Then she decided to expand her boundaries and spend time with the homeless of her community. She now finds great joy in serving those who have no walls around them. Boundaries can be redefined; knowing them and living within them is critical
In these challenging times are you aware of your boundaries? Are you content? Is living within them right for you or do you need to broaden your boundaries? Living within them is the practice of self-control.
--Ben Keckler
01.06.11
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control;
these three alone lead life to a sovereign place.”
--Tennyson
The new year is well underway. This first week of the year I am sharing some basic thoughts that help me in my work. Hopefully they will be helpful to you as well.
THURSDAY: Each day is all about living within your boundaries.
As we continue looking at some thoughts that I find helpful, we must look at a very significant subject: boundaries. This can be a tough one. Some of you when reading the subject began to vision borders or walls. Some of you, on the other hand may have thought, "the sky is the limit." Life lived successfully is really about exploring what your boundaries are and then living within them.
A few years ago a friend decide to set some new boundaries for her care giving. For years she shared her gifts with marginalized people within her home church. She performed her tasks with great compassion. Then she decided to expand her boundaries and spend time with the homeless of her community. She now finds great joy in serving those who have no walls around them. Boundaries can be redefined; knowing them and living within them is critical
In these challenging times are you aware of your boundaries? Are you content? Is living within them right for you or do you need to broaden your boundaries? Living within them is the practice of self-control.
--Ben Keckler
01.06.11
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, January 5
Five Thoughts for a New Year
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control;
these three alone lead life to a sovereign place.”
--Tennyson
A New Year has begun. This week I am sharing five basic thoughts that help me. Hopefully you will find them helpful, too.
WEDNESDAY: Each day is all about following your plan.
Yesterday we focused on taking each day for what it is – not looking back and not looking too far into the future. Today we talk about following a plan. Mike Tully offers this insight: "Your priorities determine your progress." Do you have a plan for today? I would encourage that. Naturally there will be things that will distract you from that plan. Give attention to the distractions – they can be part of a larger plan beyond your control. But make sure you follow your plan for the day, every day! (If you are like me, you may need to write down your plan in case memory fails you!)
When you start your day with a plan, many things can be accomplished, even with all the challenges we will encounter. In fact, you might be amazed by all the things that happen to you in 2011 when you follow your plan. Plan well and journey through, friend. This is Tennyson's self-knowledge component!
--Ben Keckler
01.05.11
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control;
these three alone lead life to a sovereign place.”
--Tennyson
A New Year has begun. This week I am sharing five basic thoughts that help me. Hopefully you will find them helpful, too.
WEDNESDAY: Each day is all about following your plan.
Yesterday we focused on taking each day for what it is – not looking back and not looking too far into the future. Today we talk about following a plan. Mike Tully offers this insight: "Your priorities determine your progress." Do you have a plan for today? I would encourage that. Naturally there will be things that will distract you from that plan. Give attention to the distractions – they can be part of a larger plan beyond your control. But make sure you follow your plan for the day, every day! (If you are like me, you may need to write down your plan in case memory fails you!)
When you start your day with a plan, many things can be accomplished, even with all the challenges we will encounter. In fact, you might be amazed by all the things that happen to you in 2011 when you follow your plan. Plan well and journey through, friend. This is Tennyson's self-knowledge component!
--Ben Keckler
01.05.11
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, January 4
Five Thoughts for a New Year
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control;
these three alone lead life to a sovereign place.”
--Tennyson
A New Year has begun and this week I am sharing five basic thoughts that help me in my work. Hopefully you can find them helpful as well.
TUESDAY: Each day is all about "the moment."
Learning from the past and looking forward to/planning for the future are both critically important. Yet, being absorbed in the past or the future can be futile pathways to travel. The past is done – forgive yourself where you need to and beam for a moment recalling good moments. The future is totally uncharted – the only thing for certain is that it will come; there will be many good decisions and many misjudgements! There is really only one thing to do – live this moment well! Colin Cowherd says it well, in my opinion, "It's important to live life in the is and not in the was." Deciding "what is the best thing to do in this moment" is a solid, healthy choice!
These are challenging times. Can you life in this moment and do the very best that you can do in this moment? Personally, life will present me with many challenges today. I must be present to each moment as it comes to me. This is a choice of self-control, I believe.
--Ben Keckler
01.04.11
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control;
these three alone lead life to a sovereign place.”
--Tennyson
A New Year has begun and this week I am sharing five basic thoughts that help me in my work. Hopefully you can find them helpful as well.
TUESDAY: Each day is all about "the moment."
Learning from the past and looking forward to/planning for the future are both critically important. Yet, being absorbed in the past or the future can be futile pathways to travel. The past is done – forgive yourself where you need to and beam for a moment recalling good moments. The future is totally uncharted – the only thing for certain is that it will come; there will be many good decisions and many misjudgements! There is really only one thing to do – live this moment well! Colin Cowherd says it well, in my opinion, "It's important to live life in the is and not in the was." Deciding "what is the best thing to do in this moment" is a solid, healthy choice!
These are challenging times. Can you life in this moment and do the very best that you can do in this moment? Personally, life will present me with many challenges today. I must be present to each moment as it comes to me. This is a choice of self-control, I believe.
--Ben Keckler
01.04.11
Monday, January 3, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, January 3
Five Thoughts for a New Year
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control;
these three alone lead life to a sovereign place.”
--Tennyson
A New Year has begun and this week I want to share five basic thoughts that help me in my work. Hopefully you can find them helpful as well.
MONDAY: Each day is all about attitude.
Each and every day we are faced with choices. Choices start the moment the alarm clock goes off; for example, am I going to hit the snooze button? Choices continue throughout the day. The foundation for making our choices is also a choice we make. I believe that foundation can be called our attitude, often we hear it referred to as a positive mental attitude or a negative mental attitude. Judith Knowlton puts it this way: “I discovered I always have choices and sometimes it's only a choice of attitudes.”
These are challenging days, this will be a challenging year. What attitude will you choose for the living of your day(s)? Personally, I plan to face each day rejoicing in the gift of life surrounded by chaos, pain and challenge! This is a choice of self-reverence, I believe.
--Ben Keckler
01.03.11
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control;
these three alone lead life to a sovereign place.”
--Tennyson
A New Year has begun and this week I want to share five basic thoughts that help me in my work. Hopefully you can find them helpful as well.
MONDAY: Each day is all about attitude.
Each and every day we are faced with choices. Choices start the moment the alarm clock goes off; for example, am I going to hit the snooze button? Choices continue throughout the day. The foundation for making our choices is also a choice we make. I believe that foundation can be called our attitude, often we hear it referred to as a positive mental attitude or a negative mental attitude. Judith Knowlton puts it this way: “I discovered I always have choices and sometimes it's only a choice of attitudes.”
These are challenging days, this will be a challenging year. What attitude will you choose for the living of your day(s)? Personally, I plan to face each day rejoicing in the gift of life surrounded by chaos, pain and challenge! This is a choice of self-reverence, I believe.
--Ben Keckler
01.03.11
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