A Short Course In Human Relations

The 6 most important words:  “I admit I made a mistake.“
The 5 most important words:  “You did a great job.“
The 4 most important words:  “What do you think?“
The 3 most important words:  “Could you please.“
The 2 most important words:  “Thank you!“
The most important word:  “We.“
The least important word:  “I.“
—    Author Unknown
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If Death Be My Future

Surely if the species must die, let it die while leaving behind a greater species that can take up more effectively the eternal struggle with darkness and stride to the kind of victories we can’t even imagine today.  Properly viewed, to such a species death is no death at all, but another step toward the only worthwhile immortality – that of life and intelligence in the abstract.
—    Isaac Asimov
[This was written in my journal with no reference.  Looking it up, the one notation states it is from a 1967 article arguing against the value of individual / personal immortality.  I cannot speak for the species, but I will die contented if I pass believing I left my children better off than I was, in a world better than the one I have enjoyed being in.   —   KMAB]
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Strive

If we don’t know when we will be used by God as witnesses, then we have to live our lives the best we can, so that at any instant, God can use us.  We’re never going to be worthy – it is GOD who makes us worthy.  I don’t mean sitting at the edge of our seats 24/7, or putting on an act and trying to be holier-than-thou.  No, what I mean is something very basic, something very simple.  Whatever we do, let’s do it well … whatever we do, let’s do it well.  If we work at home, or work away from home, let’s work with ethics.  If we meet with people and interact with people, let’s be as genuine and sincere as we can be.  Whatever we do, whoever we are, let’s strive to be the best that we can be.  Let’s strive to be as honest, as genuine, as sincere, as human as we can be.  Just by doing that, we become witnesses of God, witnesses that Jesus is alive and well and is among us.
—    Written by:   Father Joseph N. Goh
From his sermon for:  “Third Sunday of Easter, 2012: Witnessing“
(click through to see the full sermon)
[Father “Joe” was a visiting priest at our parish for several years.  He has a ready smile and an open heart.  He also has one consistent message in each of his sermons:  God (Jesus) loves us all – each and every one of us.  Simple, yet profound.    —    KMAB]
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Such A Fool

I conquer, and look for greater battles.
I toil, and look for greater tasks.
I solve, and look for greater mysteries.
I hope, and look for greater ideals.
I love, and look for greater beauties.
I am a fool;
But that he or she too,
Could be such a fool as I,
Is the dream of every person’s soul.
—    KMAB
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