To achieve extraordinary things in life, one needs more than just skill or talent. One also requires deep faith – both in oneself and in a higher purpose. The greatest artists, scientists, and leaders throughout history have married exceptional skill with an unshakable belief that they were destined for something greater. Skill alone cannot withstand […]
The desire to dominate and control is a common human failing. However, letting greed and lust for power consume us to the point where we would sacrifice our own lives is clearly not worthwhile. Though momentary domination may appeal to our baser instincts, true fulfillment lies not in subjugating others, but in uplifting them. Rather […]
Emergence The weeklong International Conference on Realism is about to end tomorrow. It has been a very insightful conference filled with discussions and provocations on how to pursue flourishing in many forms no matter the discipline. As this academic year is about to end as well, my mind wanders towards the critical realist concept of […]
Faith that strengthens one’s resolve to act Faith provides a wellspring of inner strength and motivation. When we have sincere faith in something greater than ourselves, like love, it emboldens us to persevere. Our faith gives us a firm anchor so we can take risks and sacrifice without fear. We feel part of a larger […]
Reasonable doubt leads to a fuller faith Reasonable doubt is a natural and healthy part of any faith journey. When we question elements of our beliefs that don’t make sense to us yet, it pushes us to deepen our understanding and form a more nuanced perspective. While an untested faith may be rigid and brittle, […]
Sharing and sufficiency, greed and emptiness It is one of life’s ironies that in generously sharing what we have, we find contentment, yet in greedily grasping for more, we are left empty. When we share our time, ideas, and resources with others, we discover there is enough to meet our basic needs. We realize that […]
The next generation carries our will yet have their own The future belongs to the youth. As each generation comes of age, they inherit the values, dreams, and goals of their elders. Yet the next generation also brings something new. They face fresh challenges that require creative solutions. While honoring tradition, they must chart their […]
Pay attention to the price we pay It’s easy to fall in love (or, maybe more appropriately, “fall in lust”) with something or someone, such that we fail to pay attention to the price we’re beginning to pay to satisfy our desire. When we make a deal, is it because we want to one-up another, […]
Providing platforms for each other If we are truly to frame management and organizing as a two-way street, it is important to provide platforms for each other. Co-creating sounds desirable and preferable, but it is more complex to manage since it relies on each other’s agency and the belief that we share a common goal. […]
Inclusiveness, fairness, and opportunities In today’s society, there is much discussion around how best to create a more equitable environment for all. Often this centers on notions of giving special advantages to historically disadvantaged groups. However, true inclusiveness is less about singling out certain groups for special privileges and more about providing opportunities for those […]