Post Category → Epictetus

Question & Thought for July 30th, 2015!!!

Question & Thought for July 30th, 2015!!!
Hello Thursday Morning!
I’ve always said and taught, ‘Who you are in the next five years is a direct result of the books you read and the people you associate with.’
1. Question – So what does Epictetus (epic – tee- tus) have to say about books and people?
2. Thought – The Right Use of Books: Don’t just say you have read books. Show that through them you have learned to think better, to be a more discriminating and reflective person. Books are the training weights of the mind. They are very helpful, but it would be a bad mistake to suppose that one has made progress simply by having internalized their contents.
Exercise Caution When Mingling With Others: One of two things will happen when you socialize with others. You either become like your companions, or you bring them over to your ways.  Just as when a dead coal contacts a live one, either the first will extinguish the last, or the last kindle the first. Great is the danger; so be circumspect on entering into personal associations, even and especially lighthearted ones.
Most of us do not possess sufficiently developed steadfastness to steer our companions to our own purpose, so we end up being carried along by the crowd. Our own values and our ideals become fuzzy and tainted; our resolve is destabilized.
It’s hard to resist when friends and associates start speaking brashly. Caught off guard when our associates broach ignoble subjects, we are swept along by the social momentum. It is the nature of conversation that its multiple meanings, innuendoes, and personal motivations move along at such a fast clip they can instantly shift in unwholesome directions, sullying everyone involved. So until wise sentiments are fixed into you as if they were instinct and you have thus acquired some power of self-defense, choose your associations with care and monitor the thrust of conversations in which you find yourself. (The Art of Living by Epictetus)
“As a race we feel empty. This is because our spirituality has been wiped out and we don’t know how to express ourselves. As a result we’re encouraged to fill that gap with alcohol, drugs, sex, or money. People out there are screaming for the truth.” (Sinead O’Conner)

—

rem – know the why or lose the way! 
Question & Thought & ANDs.

Question & Thought for July 27th, 2015!!!

Question & Thought for July 27th, 2015!!!

Good Monday Morning!

1. Question – Have you ever been called a whack-o, or a loose cannon, or an idiot?

 

2. Thought – Those who pursue he higher life of wisdom, who seek to live by spiritual principles, must be prepared to be laughed at and condemned.

Many people who have progressively lowered their personal standards in an attempt to win social acceptance and life’s comforts bitterly resent those of philosophical bent who refuse to compromise their spiritual ideals and who seek to better themselves. Never live your life in reaction to these diminished souls. Be compassionate toward them, and at the same time hold to what you know is good.

When you begin your program of spiritual progress, chances are the people closest to you will deride you or accuse you of arrogance.

It is your job to comfort yourself humbly and to consistently hew to your moral ideals. Cling to what you know in your heart is best. Then, if you are steadfast, the very people who ridiculed you will come to admire you.

If you allow the mean-spirited opinions of others to make you waver in your purpose, you incur a double shame. (The Art Of Living by Epictetus)

Answers for July 15th, 2015!

Answers for July 15th, 2015!
Good Wednesday Answers Morning!
1. Question – How can a reverend use God’s name in vain while preaching and still hold that title or people continue to follow him/her?
I am out of that church with family in tow. Not Right. Read a book – Bible.
2. Question – Should overweight people be given handicap parking passes?
Yep. However, they make me walk a bit more and I lose weight. Read a book – Eat, Move, Sleep by Tom Rath.
3. Question – When you celebrated the 4th of July did you thank anyone?
Yep. God, Founders, & Soldiers. Read a book The Founder’s Bible by David Barton.
4. noitseuQ – If you do not like America why are you staying here?
I’m staying because this is my home & I like America. I’ve been grateful to have seen many countries than most Americans. And, I do not like the trajectory America is on. But, I haven’t seen any country better than America. Read books Killing Lincoln and Killing Patton by Bill O’Reilly.
H. Question – There’s an awful lot of America bashing lately by many, to include the big guy, just what country should America emulate? On the flip side of this question, why do so many people want to come and live here? I wish those bashers would name a country we should emulate. Read a book The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama.
4. Question – Do you know what determines your worldview?
Yes. Spent morning time alone in thought and decided why I see things as I do. Grateful for thinking.
5. Question – Do you believe in eternity?
Yep. Makes sense. Read a book Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.
#. Question – Do you believe American leaders should apologize for America to the world?
Nope. Read a book Democracy in America by Alexisde Tocqueville.
7. Question – Should we have term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court?
Yep. It’s time to amend the Constitution about this matter. Read a book Things that Matter by Charles Krauthammer.
8. Question – Why are so many people running for president?
I’ve given this much thought. Here they are: They love this country. They are grateful for the opportunities this country has provided them and want to give back. They want to change it. They don’t like the direction it’s going. Pride. Hate. Read a book The Reagan Notes by Ronald Reagan.
?. Question – Are we in a spiritual war and refuse to reckon with it?
Yep. Read a book Never Surrender by General Boykin.
9. Question – Have you questioned ‘Sanctuary Cites’ with your state and federal officials?
Nope. Listened to Michael Savage on radio & Fox News on TV.
10. Question – Do you care what happens in another country?
Nope. Read a book The Art of Living by Epictetus.
l. Question – Do you know how your elected officials voted on Fast track?
Yep. Both N.C. Senators voted for it. Congressman Walter Jones voted against it. We have made all offices known our logic behind our thinking. Google Fast Track voting for your state.
12. Question – Is it always about the money?
No. But you always have to question the motive and money is a biggee. Read a book Common Sense Economics but I forgot the author.
16. Question – Why do you coach?
Because I love kids. Read a book Coaching Young Athletes by Cal Ripken Jr.
18. Question – Should America continue its current immigration policy?
We should develop one. Read a book America – Imagine a World Without Her by Dinesh D’Souza.
00. Question – What is the American dream?
Great question. A home. Good job. Vacation once a year. A good Christmas and Thanksgiving. Retirement. Make it better for our kids than we had it in our prime. Read a book One Nation by Ben Carson, MD.
20. Question – What leader does America need to be the next President of the United States?
Someone who can un-divide a divided America in race, politics, gender, foreign relations, religion,& law. Read a book The Reagan Diaries by Ronald Reagan.
100. Question – What book did you read that changed your way of thinking and perhaps your life?
Read a book The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.
“Only that day dawns to which we are awake.” (Henry David Thoreau)

 

​Know thyself!​

 

rem – know the why or lose the way! 

​Thank a coach.​
Question & Thought & ANDs.

Questions & Thought for June 6th, 2015!!!

Questions & Thought for June 6th, 2015!!!
Good Saturday Morning!
1. Question – Is freedom the right to do whatever you please? Is freedom ideology taught in our homes and schools? Are you as convinced as I am that we are so screwed up that we can no longer define what freedom means?
2. Thought – Understand what freedom really is and how it is achieved. Freedom isn’t the right or ability to do whatever you please. Freedom comes from understanding the limits of your own power and natural limits set in place by divine providence. By accepting life’s limits and inevitabilities and working with them rather than fighting them, we become free. If, on the other hand we succumb to our passing desires for things that aren’t in our control, freedom is lost. (The Art of Living by Epictetus)
“Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it.” (Winston Churchill)

—

rem – know the why behind the what! 
Question & Thought & ANDs.