There are times when we begin to think that spiritual life is like summer vacation. We want to get away, do something different, enjoy an experience the kids will remember. We can plan and get organized to do something when work is not so busy. Maybe we can go to the mountains or the beach, to the woods or somewhere else special. We will get away from the pressures of everyday life and get some rest. It is important for us to... Read more
It is unlikely we will achieve perfection today. Today is only one day. We may experience things today as a result of months, or years, of effort. We may begin work today on projects that last the rest of our lives. We may feel more satisfied, or hopeful, or secure today. We may, though, feel more discouraged, or sad, or overwhelmed today. The way we feel today does not determine how we will feel tomorrow, or how we felt yesterday.... Read more
Much of leadership is about responsibility. We talk about leaders being in positions of responsibility. Leaders are often seen as responsible for the plans and actions they set in motion. Some people view being responsible as a positive trait. They expect people to meet a standard of responsible behavior. When a person is responsible, they would say they are able to meet their responsibilities. Responsible people can perform the duties they are given well and meet the standard. They are able to get things... Read more
Some of us love surprises. A thrill runs through us when we discover something we did not expect. Surprises are always new. We see surprises as gifts life gives us to keep us on our toes. Surprises help us be more open to the spiritual life in the world around us. Others see surprises as part of our worst case scenario. Surprises mean there are things we did not anticipate, for which we did not plan. Surprises may disrupt our carefully controlled... Read more
This may be the summer after high school, or college, graduation for you. It may be the summer after you finished grad school, or your dissertation. You may have spent your entire life working toward this summer. Now it is here. It may be a summer filled with expectations, anxieties, and questions for you. After focusing on a specific goal for years, you may have no clear path forward. This may be a summer just like last summer for you.... Read more
We expect that leaders already know what they are talking about. We think we want our leaders to be steadfast and certain. We believe we are looking for leaders who know exactly where they are leading us. Leaders with new ideas who want to try new approaches can make us a little nervous. Who knows where we might end up? Looking back, it is often the leaders who were willing to head in a new direction we most admire. The leaders who... Read more
Our lives do not include room for reflection. We do not have time to pay attention. We have gotten out of the habit of listening, even to ourselves. We are busy entertaining ourselves and each other. We carry music, books, movies, and other distractions on our devices wherever we go. We put much more effort into tuning out what we do not want to hear than listening to what we do. We fill our time with personalized distractions designed to reinforce our own tastes.... Read more
In a couple of days my fellow citizens and I will celebrate our Independence Day. We will spend our day grilling and eating, then blowing things up in the evening. Across the country almost all of us will celebrate our independence the same way everyone else does. I believe the time has come for us to declare our independence once again. There must be more independent ways we can celebrate our independence. We are creative about showing our gratitude on Thanksgiving. We develop new family... Read more
Some leaders become great because they plan and prepare. Some become great because they are adaptable and flexible. Some leaders find their greatness in persistence and perseverance, overcoming all obstacles. Some find greatness in how they inspire the people around them. Some people become great leaders by being patient, while others find greatness in impatience. There is no formula for finding greatness in leadership. There is no accurate map showing us where to turn or which footsteps to follow. We may... Read more
There are people who think spiritual life is a way to run away from the real world. They see spiritual life as a crutch, an escape, a way to ignore or avoid what is really happening. Some people talk about my brother and sister monks as if they were hiding behind cloister walls. They seem to believe people join monasteries because they cannot handle the world around them. They seem to think people go to church to find relief from... Read more
Strategic Monk
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