The beauty of Catholicism is every human being’s right.
The notion of freedom proclaimed by the modern world is anti-discipline. But true freedom cannot be separated from discipline.
We don’t want to think about our weaknesses. We don’t want to talk about them, and we certainly don’t want anyone else to point them out. This is a classic sign of mediocrity, and this mediocrity has a firm grip on the Church and humanity at this moment in history.
The measure of your life will be the measure of your courage.
When you stand still, you reject the struggle, and you refuse to change and grow. Ultimately, you reject fulfillment, happiness, the dance for joy and everything else that is eternally good.
Discipline is the path to happiness.
Freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want. Freedom is the strength of character to do what is good, true, noble, and right.
The message delivered with unrelenting enthusiasm by our culture is, ‘You can be happy without discipline. Do whatever you feel like doing and you will be happy!’ While the Church says, ‘You cannot be happy without discipline In fact, discipline is the path to happiness!’
Prayer is like a great love. When you start dating the silence can be awkward, but as you grow to know each other you can sit in silence for hours and just being with each other is a great comfort.
Truth be told, our modern education systems crush the very spirit they claim to instill.
Love is the wanting, and the having, and the choosing, and the becoming. Love is the desire to see the person we love be and become all he or she is capable of being and becoming. Love is a willingness to lay down our own personal plans, desires, and agenda for the good of the relationship. Love is delayed gratification, pleasure, and pain. Love is being able to live and thrive apart, but choosing to be together.
Most people overestimate what they can do in a day, and underestimate what they can do in a month. We overestimate what we can do in a year, and underestimate what we can accomplish in a decade.” by Matthew Kelly from the book The Long View.
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” The question I have for you at this part of our journey together is, “What is your genius?
There will be times of fear and trembling. There will be times of discouragement and disillusionment. Have courage, smile, keep your chin up, laugh often, be kind to yourself, stay focused, be gracious and appreciative, think happy thoughts, and carry on regardless.
Wherever you find excellence, you find continuous learning. They go hand in hand. Wherever you find that continuous learning is missing, you find mediocrity.
Connecting with people in a powerful way is a skill that must be developed, nurtured, and practiced.
We become the stories we listen to. But perhaps the more important question is, what stories do you listen to? What stories are forming your life?
Knowing that death is not far off brings remarkable clarity. After that news, there is no middle ground; something is either very important or not important at all.
For the day we accept that we have chosen to choose our choices is the day we cast off the shackles of victimhood and are set free to pursue the lives we were born to live. Learn to master the moment of decision and you will live a life uncommon.
Dedicate yourself above all else to becoming the-best-version-of-yourself. It is the best thing you can do for your spouse, your children, your friends, your colleagues, your employees, your employer, your church, your nation, the human family, and yourself.