Pride is a barren land; a dead land. A hard land that admits of no softness. Those who live in Pride have no life. ____________ The Pity Due to Pride The root of all evil Pride is one of the largest obstacles in our ship’s journey to happiness. The word “pride” can be used in … Continue reading The Pity Due to Pride
Assume a Virtue
Let’s look at what we said last week from another angle: Shakespeare. Queen: Oh Hamlet, Thou hast cleft my heart in twain. Hamlet: O throw away the worser part of it, And live the purer with the other half. Good night, but go not to mine Uncle’s bed, Assume a virtue, if you have it not. Refrain … Continue reading Assume a Virtue
To Be Clean
We Catholics are in the midst of a liturgical season called “Lent”, the “long days”. This forty day season leading up to Easter is a time of fasting and prayer, a time of renewal and conversion in preparation for the highest feast. It is modeled after the forty days Jesus fasted in the wilderness before … Continue reading To Be Clean
Gratitude
Before you set out to own what your heart aches for, before you capture your new desire, before you click the "add to cart” button on Amazon, be sure you are grateful for what you have. Gratitude is having the proper appreciation for each thing. It is a virtue that applies to everything. You ought to be … Continue reading Gratitude
Forgiveness
Tears ran down the little girl’s face. As she ran to her father, she didn’t wipe them away. “Paul hit me,” she said. Paul was close behind. “She messed up the chess board on purpose.” Their father frowned. “You don’t hit girls. Apologize.” The girl looked at Paul. He crossed his arms and rolled his … Continue reading Forgiveness
Patience and Perfection
The little girl held up her coloring book. “Look, Mama!” Purple swam across the page, only vaguely coloring the outline of the flower. The red of the sun jagged so sharply, it seemed to make the page bleed. Blue and brown had found their way into one petal and were mixed together so that the … Continue reading Patience and Perfection
The Pain of Truth
The mother’s voice carried across the field to the children far ahead. “Kids, stick together!” The older brother grabbed the younger one’s arm. “Come on, Fatso! You’re slowing us down!” Their sister frowned at him. “You’re not allowed to say that!” “But it’s true!” He stopped and folded his arms. “And the truth shouldn’t hurt!” … Continue reading The Pain of Truth
Valentine’s Day
A few years ago, I wrote a letter to my friends who were single. It went something like this: My dear ones, I know Valentine’s Day is past, but it took me all of that day and then some to think exactly what I wanted to say. I was thinking: it’s a good thing I … Continue reading Valentine’s Day
A Grain of Salt
About Me I’m a Catholic, and I strive to make that the source of my life. My faith took a philosophical bent when I chose my college, a Great Books Liberal Arts school in Southern California. Although I wasn’t aware of it, my own desire for a unified understanding of the world, what I call … Continue reading A Grain of Salt
The Signs of Happiness
The girl stared at her father until he looked up. His eyes widened behind his glasses. “What?” She stuck out her pretty red lip. “I’m bored.” He smiled and nodded. “It’s good for you!” Then he went back to his papers. She pouted some more until that, too, was boring. Then she went to stare … Continue reading The Signs of Happiness
