Author: Anne

This author has written 790 articles

BE THE FIRST

Photo taken from the FDR Memorial in Washington DC

“We all have the drum major instinct. We all want to be important, to surpass others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade. … And the great issue of life is to harness the drum major instinct. It is a good instinct if you don’t distort it and pervert it. Don’t give it up. Keep feeling the need for being important. Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you to be the first in generosity.”

Quote by Rev. Martin Luther King from his Sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on February 2nd, 1968.

REFLECTION:

  • Today as we honor the Rev. Martin Luther King, may his words remind us of what matters… what to strive to be first in. 
  • What does first in love look like to you today… right now?
  • What is moral excellence for you?
  • How can you be more generous today?

REAL POVERTY

Photo taken at FDR Monument in Washington DC

We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless.  The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty.  We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.

Quote by Mother Teresa from the book:  DO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL FOR GOD The Essential Teaching of Mothers Teresa

REFLECTION:

  • Do you feel unwanted, unloved or uncared for?
  • Is there another person you are in relationship with (spouse, child, friend, sibling, parent, etc.)that feels unwanted, unloved or uncared for?
  • What can you do today to remedy this kind of poverty?
  • Do one thing with great kindness today!

PEARLS OF WISDOM

ARCHBISHOP TUTU’s SELF MEMORIAL:

“He loved.  He laughed. He cried.  He was forgiven.  He forgave.  Greatly privileged.”

Archbishop Desmond Tutu OMSG CH GCStJ (1931 – 2021) died on December 26th, 2021. When asked what he wanted said at his memorial the above quote was what he wanted said about him.

Rev. Desmond Tutu was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. He was Bishop of Johannesburg from 1985 to 1986 and then Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986 to 1996, in both cases being the first black African to hold the position.

REFLECTION:

  • What words do you want said about you upon passing?
  • Does your life and your actions reflect them?
  • If yes, how can you live more into this person?
  • If not, what do you need to start, stop, continue doing?