Some of My Perceptions

Here are three of my favorite reflections taken from my book: Perceptions, Collection of Favorites, Volume 2.

Complain, Complain

A certain monastery enforced a vow of silence. Each monk could utter only two words every five years, and those two words had to be spoken in the

presence of the abbot. One of the monks, when given his opportunity to speak, said, "Bad food!" Five years later, his two words were, "Bed hard!" When given his third opportunity to speak five years later, he said, "I quit!"

"Well," said the abbot, "you might as well quit. All you've done since you've been here is complain!"

While I'm not sure I would call this monk a heavy complainer, I know that complaining seems to be a part of human nature. We all tend to want what we want when we want it. And when our needs aren't met on our time schedule, we tend to complain.

Gratitude for and awareness of one's blessings is the best remedy I know of for a serious case of chronic complaining. Gratitude leads to a change of attitude.

Gossip

My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice, I maim without killing.

I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society.

My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no face.

To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I

become.

I am nobody's friend.

Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments, wreck marriages and ruin careers – I cause sleepless nights, heartaches, and

indigestion. I spawn suspicion and generate grief.

I make innocent people cry in their pillows.

Even my own name hisses...

I make headlines and headaches.

Before you repeat a story, ask yourself, is it true? Is it fair? Is it

necessary?

If not – don't repeat it.

10 Commandments for Relating to Others

1. Speak to people. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.

2. Smile at people. It takes seventy-two muscles to frown, only fourteen to smile.

3. Call people by name. The sweetest music to anyone's ears is the sound of his or her own name.

4. Be friendly and helpful.

5. Be cordial. Let's speak and act as though we are grateful people.

6. Be genuinely interested in people. If we try, we can like almost everyone.

7. Be generous with praise – cautious with criticism.

8. Be considerate with the feelings of others. There are usually three sides to a controversy: ours, the other persons, and the right one.

9. Be alert to give service. What counts most in life is what we do for others.

10. Add to this a good sense of humor, a big dose of patience and a dash of humility, and you will be rewarded many fold!

Blessings,

Dr. Lester Spencer

Lead Pastor, Saint James Church

Note: If you enjoyed these and want to read more, contact amanda@sjlife.com to order your copy of Perceptions, A Collection of Favorites, Volume 2. (c) Durham, Inc.