We must design rest into our work and mission Even if we are doing purposeful work and mission (or, maybe, all the more because we’re doing purposeful work and mission), it is important to design rest and slack into our activities. The double-edgedness of meaningful work is that it can push us to stretch ourselves, […]
How do we engage each other to grow in wisdom? The acquisition of any form of insight is highly contingent on one’s internal conditions. The external context could only provide triggers, but it cannot drill insights into our heads. The challenge of our educational system’s current structure is that it is designed around the mass […]
Snap judgments Snap judgments are quick assessments of a person, situation, or event based on limited information. While snap judgments can be useful in certain circumstances, they can also lead to errors and perpetuate biases. This is especially problematic when snap judgments are made about someone’s character instead of their behavior or actions. In fast-paced […]
Reasonable faith Faith should not be about blind obedience. Rather, it should be more about having a reasonable and informed trust. It is unhealthy to rely on reason or faith alone. When we manage to find how we can reconcile the two, we set ourselves up for healing and flourishing. Mark 5:21-43. “Do not be […]
To lead is to gain insight into the unseen The story of Jesus casting out a legion of demons from a man living in the tombs highlights the importance of taking time to look beyond what is initially visible. It is the role of leaders and mentors to seek out underlying issues that may be […]
Are blessings rewards? A first look at the Beatitudes and its format of expression (blessed are X for they shall Y) may make it seem like we should follow instructions to attain some kind of reward. But is it really so? For example, being poor in spirit is something that cannot be manufactured in order […]
On the perspective and reality of stillness When Jesus exclaimed, “Quiet! Be still!”, was He addressing the disciples, the wind itself, or both? In a way, our perspective can influence our experiences and the context that surrounds us. The challenge is to remain centered no matter how turbulent the storm may seem. Who knows, maybe […]
The courage and faith to confront the unknown The more we learn, the more we realize how much we don’t know. I’m fascinated by the cautionary tales of mad scientists letting their discoveries get into their heads too much. The stories go – the more we know, the more we are supposed to be prone […]
On finding purpose and spaces for growth To gain insight into our personal mission is also to gain insight into which space we are meant to be in. Maybe the challenge of educators is not just to transfer knowledge but, just as important, to accompany students in finding their niche and spaces where they can […]
Proclaiming and living our insights Proclaiming by doing means living our beliefs and values. It’s like a tree that bears fruit – the fruit is the visible evidence of the tree’s health and vitality, just as the actions we take are the visible evidence of our beliefs and values. To proclaim is to live the […]