We are certainly seeing an abundance of iniquity today as the horrors of (Putin’s) Russia’s assault on Ukraine are all too evident.

How will we respond to this and other challenges that may be closer to home?

Will we choose hardness or numbness?

Or will we choose to serve who and how we can within our circumstances and means?

I was about to clear my whiteboard, but felt prompted to share something on it that has been invaluable to me in not only surviving but thriving in challenging times: three mantras.

These mantras (or phrases) have been invaluable in grounding me and setting my course right each and every morning.

They serve as valuable reminders.

Please share this with someone who may need them.

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” – Lewis B. Smedes

Forgiveness is essential for personal, familial and societal progress.

I published this article four years ago to the day on LinkedIn and it resonated with a lot of people.

I feel that it’s even more relevant today.

Forgiveness is well worthy of consideration as we enter into a new year.

Suffering, to a greater or lesser extent, is an inherent part of life.

Sometimes it may seem cruel and intolerable.

But it needn’t be for nothing.

Suffering can be a powerful catalyst for personal transformation, giving us unparalleled learning experiences.

With faith, it may even come to represent a call to our path and higher purpose.

If you are suffering now, know that your darkest dawns can yet become your brightest days.

Don’t despair.

And never give up.

Keep hope, have faith and go well.

Onwards.

“Love is the antithesis of hedonism; love means putting the needs of others before personal desires and pleasure. In practice, it means serving others to meet their needs. Love is a verb, a doing word.”

– Tom English, Escaping the Hedonism Trap, TEDxMCPHS 2020