Patch Aure

The narrow door is as big as it needs to be

The narrow door is as big as it needs to be

Many are called, but few are chosen, precisely because only a few have truly prepared or are willing to go through the challenge of virtue and delaying gratification. Moreover, the narrowness of the door does not necessarily mean that others cannot automatically go through it; some could enter earlier, while some later, and not everyone can enter at the same time.

Relating this to my work: As we enter the final leg of the BS in Applied Corporate Management screening process, I pray that the narrow door is indeed as big as it needs to be, because we strive not to artificially limit or impose a quota of how many we will accept, but rather, test for fit with the culture and expectations of the industry.

Luke 13:22-30. Many will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 299: OCTOBER 26, 2022]

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Patch Aure

Heaven is about becoming

Heaven is about becoming

What is a “winner”? Is being a winner the destination?

It is NBA season once again, and it is always a pleasure for basketball fans to discuss and pick which team will win the championship. The Golden State Warriors look to defend their championship.

And “defending the championship” is an apt phrase; winning or being a winner is a constant process of playing as best as possible. Being crowned a champion is such a fleeting moment in the greater scheme of things; what matters more is the consistency and track record.

In that sense, maybe heaven or perfection is less of a destination but more of a process. Since perfection is impossible, perfectionism is a futile and unnecessarily stressful activity with insurmountable standards. What is more reasonable is excellencism – a disciplined pursuit of better, whether incremental or innovative, built on good habits (virtues) reflected upon and acted on, with the humble acknowledgement that we are limited but we can always strive to be better.

If heaven is like the mustard seed, the inspiration is not that heaven is a big tree; the insight is that we humble mustard seeds can choose a virtuous (but difficult) process towards our thriving. That challenging (but engaging) process is what heaven is about.

Luke 13:18-21. The parable of the mustard seed

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 298: OCTOBER 25, 2022]

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Healing takes precedence over rituals and customs

Healing takes precedence over rituals and customs

There will always be times that will make us realize that life, healing, and recovery will always matter more than any rituals, customs, superstitions, or even work. The best kinds of spaces are filled with people who let the hurt heal.

Luke 13:10-17. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 297: OCTOBER 24, 2022]

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The antecedent and outcome of insight is humility

The antecedent and outcome of insight is humility

The tragedy of Solomon is that he let his gift of wisdom and insight take a backseat to his urges and emotions. Did he let his successes get to his head and heart? Did he develop a kind of hubris due to being heralded as a great king for a long time?

The fascinating condition of the insight experience is that it can only arise from a person’s acknowledgement of the gaps in his abilities and understanding. Furthermore, the acquisition of insight allows the person to know how little he knows.

Maybe, the true hallmark of humility is not when the person claims that they are humble; it is when the person soberly and reasonably understands how little they know and how powerless they really are given certain conditions…

… But still keeping faith that they have the agency and the opportunity to thrive and flourish.

Luke 18:9-14. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 296: OCTOBER 23, 2022]

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To manage flourishing is to manage the context

To manage flourishing is to manage the context

Oftentimes, we use the growth of flowers and trees as analogies for flourishing. The beauty of this analogy is that a gardener cannot force a flower to bloom; they can only cultivate the ground around the plant so that the plant may flourish.

It is ultimately up to the plant to grow.

Luke 13:1-9. I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 295: OCTOBER 22, 2022]

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Sometimes, it is scary to be right

Sometimes, it is scary to be right

In a way, ignorance is indeed bliss. The readings of the past days point to the burden of insight that compels a person to act responsibly.

What is scarier is when our personal (but reasonable conclusion) of what is right goes against the norms of society or an organization. As social creatures, it is such a risk to take a stand separate from our peers.

It is scary to be right. It takes courage to transform insight into actions that are right.

Luke 12:54-59. “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 294: OCTOBER 21, 2022]

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The burden of insight is the inevitability of taking a stand

The burden of insight is the inevitability of taking a stand

When one gains insight to what is right and true, one is inevitably compelled to take a stand. This naturally leads to conflict and division.

In this sense, the path to true peace is not the artificial absence of conflict. For Naruto fans, this is the fundamental flaw to the “infinite tsukoyomi” plan of Madara – subjecting everyone to a neverending illusion in exchange for “peace”.

Since taking a stand leads to division and conflict, the “resilience challenge” is: can our well-being withstand tension, pressure, and conflict as we constructively (but sometimes painfully) dialogue with others towards the greater good?

Luke 12:49-53. Division

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 293: OCTOBER 20, 2022]

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The burden of insight

The burden of insight

The insight experience is thrilling. At that precise instance when everything clicks and when we cannot help but exclaim aha or eureka or whatever catchphrase we can invent – everything seems just right at that moment.

Yet, that moment too is the moment when we start an upward spiral towards responsibility. Such is the burden of insight.

—
Luke 12:39-48. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 292: OCTOBER 19, 2022]

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Personal missions are not necessarily meant to be done alone

Personal missions are not necessarily meant to be done alone

As children (or even as adults), we have dreams, ambitions, or a purpose we yearn to fulfill. This may naturally make us think and feel that we are personally accountable to making things happen, but the trap is thinking that these things should only be done alone.

It is fascinating how in today’s gospel, missionaries were sent in pairs. Everyone was told to leave material things behind. Maybe the message is that in fulfilling our purpose, we interdependently harmonize with others to do so.

Luke 10:1-9. He sent ahead of him in pairs

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 291: OCTOBER 18, 2022]

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Patch Aure

Greed and addiction

Greed and addiction

I was listening to the Flow Research Collective Radio podcast via Spotify while I was on the way to campus this morning. The topic of the episode I listened to was about addiction, and what stood out to me was:

Addiction is a series of (painful) cravings, temporarily satisfying that craving, then adulterating the experience so much that the addict cannot anymore enjoy the experience.

In a way, greed is to material things as addiction is to experiences.

And that’s what is dangerous about greed and addiction: they seem to offer short-term pleasure but lead to long-term pain. On the other hand, to accumulate good deeds and to be virtuous is playing the long game: short-term pain and stress leading into a life of flourishing.

Luke 12:13-21. The things you have prepared (and accumulated), to whom will they belong?

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 290: OCTOBER 17, 2022]

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