The Work of Work
A carpenter builds things from wood. He uses his knowledge, tools, and hands to shape raw materials into something as simple as a shelf or as complex as an ornate house; but while he is working, it is not just the wood that changes—he himself is transformed.
The Power of Peace
When a community is at peace, it is resistant to being controlled by external forces. When an individual is at peace, he is immune to the torrent of voices trying to convince him that he needs more.
Multiplying with Money
How good are you with money? Before you read on, take a moment to notice what sorts of things come up for you as you ponder this question.
Small Steps in the Dark
Suppose you found yourself in a pitch-black room with unknown surroundings. If no lights were available, what would you do to learn about your environment?
Might As Well Not Get Started
Have you ever been in so deep that shame and a sense of futility prevented you from climbing out?
What If You Got Everything You Wanted Right Now?
In their book, The Independent Farmstead, Shawn and Beth Dougherty have the following meditation to aspiring small-scale farmers looking to buy a plot of land for their families.
Smaller Common Goods
Until recently, the concept of the common good was always something that mystified me. I often heard that it was something governments should aim at, but whenever I asked for an explanation of what exactly the common good was, the only two examples I received were peace and truth.
You Are a King
During this season of Advent, we await the arrival of Jesus. Although he came as an infant, he was and is the King of Kings.
The Principle of Proximity
Last year, I heard the COO of a tech-company give a talk on IT Careers. Along with general changes in the industry, he discussed a few of his company’s particular cultural norms.
What’s Your Micro-Vision?
How do you teach a toddler to set the table? In a recent address at the ARC Conference, Jordan Peterson tells the story of how he trained his 18-month-old son to do this very thing.
When I Accept That Life Is Difficult, It’s Easier
When we resist the difficulty present in a work, that inner war is often more emotionally exhausting than when we simply accept it.
Creative Stewardship
Everything we have is given. We are called to be co-creators with God. And these two things seem to be in tension: How can we be creators if the tapestry of our lives is already given?
Response-Ability
Reaction vs. response—what’s the difference? Here’s one way to look at it: reacting is passive and automatic whereas responding is active and deliberate.
“Multitasking Is a Myth.”
Last week, I tried something I almost never do. I tried answering emails while listening to a podcast.
What’s Your Magic?
Without the backstory, extraordinary results seem magical. They give the illusion of ease, the appearance of having magnificently poofed into existence.
@action, @waitingfor
If you’re like me, then managing email is a challenge. Productivity expert David Allen recommends the following backbone for managing email: create one folder labeled “@action” and one labeled “@waitingfor.”
Anchored to Your Center
One of the core principles of the ancient martial art of Aikido is Nen, loosely translated as “one-point.” If the center of a warrior’s body is anchored to the ground through a solid fighting stance, it is very difficult to knock him over.
Conversations as Clues
“The conversation is the relationship.” You might define a relationship differently, but in her book, Fierce Conversations, Susan Scott proposes that the essence of our relationships are the conversations we have.
God’s Gift of Eternal Gratitude
In his work, On Christian Doctrine, St. Augustine says that although God could sanctify each individual directly without any intermediate causes, he prefers to use human instruments to work out our salvation. If we end up in heaven, our priests, friends, and families are real causes of our being there.
Who You Know
It’s a great mystery; who you become is inextricably linked to who you know. How your life unfolds is greatly influenced by the people you are connected with.