Consistancy

I was reading about parenthood earlier.  I can so relate to that - NOT!   Bur fortunately for me, there was a lot of stuff that is good for life.  It was an article by Charles Swindoll.
I did like how he related that life is a marathon - not a sprint.  He was saying that good stuff has to be sown consistently.  He mentioned how kids can see through a fake.  I don’t need to be a kid for that.  I can be fooled by things I do not have contact with often, but around the home not being real is hard to keep up.  Those who know me best know what is real.
What took the article from good to great for me was a list.  I feel these things are important.

• “Determination – stick with it no matter what.”  To me that can be hard.  I’ve got to know what I want, for it to be right, and go for it.  Robert Schuler was big on writing inspirational stuff.  He inspired someone to break out of prison.  Errr he knew what he wanted; was inspired to go for it; but I question if that was the right thing to do.
• “Honesty – Speak and live the truth, always.”  I remember someone declaring “honesty is the best policy,” and someone else saying “it’s the only policy.”  I am not sure it is the only policy, but it is for me if I am to remain true to myself and others.
• “Responsibility – be dependable, be trustworthy.  I sure try that.  It is such a work in progress.
• “Thoughtfulness – think of others before yourself.”  That can be hard, but I live very much by the motto “do unto others as you would be done by.” Caring matters.    If someone laughs, I want to laugh with them.  If someone cries, I know I would want someone to understand my pain, and others are no different.
• “Confidentiality – don’t tell secrets.”  Seal your lips.  I a big on that.  I want someone to feel it is safe to share something with me, and I will not blab it.  It is really one of those things where someone often does not get a second chance.
• “Punctuality – be on time.”  That is big in our culture.  In some places 10am means 11am.  I like to start on time as I believe if I start late others will glean, “I do not need to be there at that time as they will only start when people have arrived.”  Start on time and that becomes everyone’s expectation.
• “Self-control – under pressure, stay calm.”  This is really only proved in the crucible.  The right stuff needs to be sown into my life, but if it has worked or not can only be proved when under pressure.
• “Patience – fight irritability.  Be willing to wait.”  Some people want it and want it now.  Our society seems to be geared on that.  Don’t pay anything for 12 months.
• “Purity – reject anything that lowers your standards.”  I need help for all of these.  There can be a really high cost in getting it wrong.
• “Compassion – When another hurts, feel it with them.”  I reckon thoughtfulness covers this one.
• “Diligence – work hard.  Tough it out.”  I read the other day “hard work never hurt anyone – but why take the chance.”  Most good stuff does not come easy, but it is worth it.

I reckon that is a good list.  Certainly got my attention.