Somewhere I think I have already posted this, but Landmark explains integrity with an illustration that has really stuck with me. Integrity is honoring your word, which is greater than keeping your word. How can that be? An example - I am sure I have already said this, but I gave my word to my Dad that I would care for him as he began falling apart (he had dementia and Parkinson's). I gave him my word I would not put him in a nursing home. However, as his dementia progressed, to honor my word to take care of him, I actually did have to put him in a secure dementia facility because he was becoming dangerous to himself and others.
Anyway, in keeping our integrity or being complete, we honor our word - both what we say and what is expected (for instance, if we have a child we may never say to them we will provide for them and guide them, but it is "expected" as a parent that we honor even the unsaid - that we would care for the child emotionally and physically. Or another example might be that we don't cheat on our spouse - not because we said we wouldn't but because we are honoring our word, our vow to them . .
The illustration about integrity was a bike wheel. Our integrity is like a bike wheel with the spokes. It is complete. But if we start yanking out spokes, it becomes weaker, and it is no longer complete, it will collapse eventually. That is like us. If we start to yank spokes out - we do not keep our integrity - we become weaker, quit working and performing like we should or could, are not as successful . .
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Book Recommendations
Some of these books I have had on my "Books I am Reading" section of my Blog - I don't want to lose them as recommendations, so I am posting them for you in case you are looking for something good to read.
1. The Marriage Bureau for Rich People - can't remember the author just at the moment - he is an author from India. Fab book - if you like Alexander McCall Smith, you will love this book and learn a LOT about Indian culture. An man from India and his wife start a marriage bureau because although marriages are arranged in India, young people want more of a say about to whom it is they are betrothed so the Marriage Bureau for Rich People is sort of the "dating"/marriage service for them. The family tells the Marriage Bureau what sort of person the family is looking for (what caste, what jobs)and the single person gets to make some input too and look at pictures/profiles of others looking for mates too. LOVED it.
2. The Charming Quirks of Others by Alexander McCall Smith - the latest in his Isabel Dalhousie series, my favorite series of his. I want to be Isabel, the way she is, smile. You could read this particular book out of sequence, it doesn't matter
3. A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson, very good - set in Kenya - unexpectedly delightful. Malik, the main character, and his nemesis have a contest to see who can identify the most birds in Kenya in one week. The prize? The winner gets to invite Rose Mbikwa to a dance . . .sounds corny, I know - it was really good. It also touches on the subject of AIDS and the taboo of talking about it in Africa - and the main character also gets car jacked basically. Great read.
4. Baking Cakes in Kigali was a recommendation by Shonda. This book is tremendous. The main character, Angel, bakes cakes for special ocassions - and you get to meet all of the people in her community via the cakes she is asked to make. It is set in Rwanda and really highlights the recovering from the genocide between the Ttusi's and the Hutu's. I learned a lot while I enjoyed the read.
1. The Marriage Bureau for Rich People - can't remember the author just at the moment - he is an author from India. Fab book - if you like Alexander McCall Smith, you will love this book and learn a LOT about Indian culture. An man from India and his wife start a marriage bureau because although marriages are arranged in India, young people want more of a say about to whom it is they are betrothed so the Marriage Bureau for Rich People is sort of the "dating"/marriage service for them. The family tells the Marriage Bureau what sort of person the family is looking for (what caste, what jobs)and the single person gets to make some input too and look at pictures/profiles of others looking for mates too. LOVED it.
2. The Charming Quirks of Others by Alexander McCall Smith - the latest in his Isabel Dalhousie series, my favorite series of his. I want to be Isabel, the way she is, smile. You could read this particular book out of sequence, it doesn't matter
3. A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson, very good - set in Kenya - unexpectedly delightful. Malik, the main character, and his nemesis have a contest to see who can identify the most birds in Kenya in one week. The prize? The winner gets to invite Rose Mbikwa to a dance . . .sounds corny, I know - it was really good. It also touches on the subject of AIDS and the taboo of talking about it in Africa - and the main character also gets car jacked basically. Great read.
4. Baking Cakes in Kigali was a recommendation by Shonda. This book is tremendous. The main character, Angel, bakes cakes for special ocassions - and you get to meet all of the people in her community via the cakes she is asked to make. It is set in Rwanda and really highlights the recovering from the genocide between the Ttusi's and the Hutu's. I learned a lot while I enjoyed the read.
Satan Gave Jesus a "Visual"
Today in the WT study someone made a comment about the strength and seduction power of "visuals" and noted that Satan didn't just describe the kingdoms of the world when he wanted to tempt Jesus with them - he took him to a place to SHOW him the kingdoms/give him a visual because what we see visually can have such an impact on us. I thought it was a very insightful and true observation.
On the lighter side of things, when talking about modesty and what we wear, one person said not to wear a "BowWow" dress - what it that? It is a dress that when you "Bow" the boys say, "Wow". Smile.
On the lighter side of things, when talking about modesty and what we wear, one person said not to wear a "BowWow" dress - what it that? It is a dress that when you "Bow" the boys say, "Wow". Smile.
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