Sojourning Smorgasbord – January 2019

Seven articles for January 2019 are linked below. Feel free to share, like or comment on them. I can only promise to interact during the next day or so. Otherwise, next month. Click the titles that interest you below:

The Benefit in Being Faithful ---->>>> (click here)

Determined diligence beats charismatic feats.

Quiet achievement meets, and faithfulness completes.

~

Relationships mature when
both sides own their respective fault.

~

Signs he might be a narcissist ---->>>> (click here)

Narcissism is a most nuanced condition of humanity. It helps to simplify the language. Think of it in terms of low empathy with high entitlement, high need for exaltation, with high capacity to exploit. But narcissism is highly nuanced. The worst narcissists are charming as hell. The paradox of narcissism suggests that anyone who can seriously consider they might be probably isn’t; yet the one who deplores the very thought, let alone accusation, there he is! The capacity for repentance is the key.

~

From whom do we seek help? ---->>>> (click here)

A good friend will
1) seek to understand,
2) show good care, and
3) help as much as they can.

~

Under Constant Observation ---->>>> (click here)

There I was, waiting for the hearse to arrive, and though it was a beautifully cool summer’s day, God reminded me, through the finality of death, that I’m under constant observation.

~

A Funeral Prayer ---->>>> (click here)

This is a widow’s prayer. I recited it for her at her husband’s funeral:

God, give us strength to hold on and strength to let go,
courage to go forward and courage to look back.
Thank you for the joy of memories that are held in the heart,
that bring loved ones alive although we’re apart.
AMEN.

~

Why Take ‘A Fence’? ---->>>> (click here)

If I take ‘a fence’
(yes, that’s a play on the word ‘offence’)
and put that fence up between you and I,
I put up a barrier —
because I chose to respond in hurt —
I break the peace between you and I —
and I commit to carrying something heavy
at least wherever you or I are together.
Taking ‘a fence’ is onerous and heavy.
But, worst of all, it breaks relationship.

~

Love New Year? ---->>>> (click here)

… thankfully a hard year, even a tough decade,
doesn’t characterise the rest of our lives.

~

And here is an eighth article as a bonus… and I think it’s the best one.

The word that changes everything ---->>>> (click here)

Sometimes we just never understand until
something happens that changes our perspective.

~o~o~o~

Image by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.