Morning Briefings

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

– Proverbs 21:23 as quoted in Kara Durbin’s
Parenting with Scripture

We are nearing the end of the year. It may be a good time to get reflective about our past. I pose this question: ‘What is the one experience which alone could justify your life?’ In God’s eyes, our moment could have well been some minor incident. It is possible that your most heroic act was to keep your mouth closed in a time of stress.

– Reverend James O’Leary
I Think I Am Happier Than I Think I Am

In the end, someone’s got to do the work. Don’t get us wrong–being able to sit back and generate ideas is great. But unfortunately, someone’s got to turn those ideas into profit, and that takes work.

– Jeff Cannon and Jon Cannon
Leadership Lessons of the Navy SEALs

In this tender season, rich with memories, let us remember all of those who have been lights along our way; the loved ones that we hold forever, in our hearts.

– Deborah Gordon Cooper from
Christmas Blessings

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying,’ Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.’

– Matthew 2:1-2
King James Version

When I began speaking to audiences in the business world several years ago, I made a fascinating discovery. The people I met were facing demands and stresses far greater than those faced by any world-class athlete I have ever known.

– James E. Loehr
Stress for Success

Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

– Luke 10:23-24

When I was a child, I would complain to my mother about various things that had gone wrong, and she would say, very matter-of-factly, ‘Offer it up.’  My reaction was, ‘I’m always offering it up, and no good seems to come from it.’ It occurred to me years later that the offering was not intended to be a direct benefit to me, but rather a benefit to the world.

– Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J.
Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life: A Practical Guide to Prayer for Active People

‘We don’t use money in heaven,’ Guardian Angel Clarence explained to despondent businessman George Bailey who replied, ‘Oh yeah…comes in pretty handy down here, bub.’

– Henry Travers as Clarence, James Stewart as George
It’s a Wonderful Life

Leaders who have had great impact on society have called people to be part of the history of their times.

– from
Reflections on Leadership: How Robert K. Greenleaf’s Theory of Servant-Leadership Influenced Today’s Top Management Thinkers

I did not create myself, it is a gift. I am me, that is a miracle.

– Hugh Prather
Notes to Myself: My Struggle to Become a Person

There are times when I believe God welcomes the circus into our lives to give us an opportunity to show that there is another way to live and respond to things.

– Tony Dungy
Quiet Strength Men’s Study Bible

By your endurance you will gain your souls.

– Luke 21:19

In the famous final scene from the movie Casablanca, Humphrey Bogart sends the beautiful Ingrid Bergman away with another man so he can stay behind and fight the Nazis. He ends up sacrificing everything–the woman he loves, a prosperous nightclub, respect and status–all because he knows there something more important in life: the need to fight evil. Ultimately, that’s why we need to pray for courage. All the things in life we want to hold on to –our possessions, pleasures and feelings of security–as well as the fears about losing them, are secondary to our struggle with evil.

– Anthony DeStefano
Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To

‘It was the best times. It was the worst of times.’ So begins The Tale of Two Cities, Dickens great novel. If this were the best of times, would I know it? We are in the midst of the most family-oriented holidays, and I think families have a ‘golden age,’ a time when everyone is at the right age to appreciate the holidays and enjoy each other. I do not think that I ever was aware when Christmas was for me at its best. Is your family at such a ‘golden age?’ I hope you are aware of that wonderful fact.

– Reverend James O’Leary
I Think I Am Happier Than I Think I Am

Eating cheese is another Hanukkah tradition. This is done in memory of the Jewish heroine Judith, who saved her village from attackers by feeding wine and cheese to General Holofernes until he became so drunk that he fell to the ground. She then seized his sword–and the day. The next morning, the leaderless troops fled in terror.

–
factmonster.com

We cannot borrow character in a crisis. We cannot fix up a friendship with God, and expect it to mean very much on our deathbed. Since, therefore, faith and character and inner spiritual resources will someday be indispensable, we should seek them now.

– Thomas N. Carruthers from
Strength for Service to God and Country

Looking back, it’s difficult for me to understand how I could have maintained such a fragmented existence for so long without caving in to its incoherence and lack of central commitment. Life was a blur — I was popping from one activity to another without a moment’s hesitation to reflect and consider my overall life direction.

– Joseph Jaworski
Synchronicity: The Inner Path of Leadership