"And now, if you believe all theses things, see that ye do them." (Mosiah 4:10; italics added)
So there I was, over a year ago now, flying economy in an ergonomic conundrum of a seat, watching the silver-haired gentleman across the narrow aisle from me. A special thanks to the older man who inspired this blog, whose gentle arm was wrapped protectively, affectionately around his wife in the adjacent seat. She snuggled up to him with the kind of trust founded on years of mutual loyalty and faithfulness. A special thanks to the elderly couple and the people they had chosen to be, however imperfectly.
How do we get there, you and I? How do we end up 34,000 feet in the air with the love of our life in the next seat over, a warm destination ahead, and a package of complimentary pretzels in our front shirt pocket? I found "fidelity" to be the answer then and now; faithfulness, integrity and sincere attention to ourselves and to others, children of God who deserve nothing less than our best selves.
Twenty years from now, the love of your life in the airplane seat next to you won’t be there because of a witty Facebook status. They’ll be there because of hours of rich, person-to-person conversations that taught them just how lovable you are. How do we get there? One year later, I still don't have all the answers, but I do have some ideas, slowly compiled and published over the last 12 months.
And the best one yet? It's time to log off.
A dear friend once taught me that we "live in a remarkable world filled with truths waiting for us to discover." Each of us has lives meant to be lived...meant to be shared. And I can't wait to get back to mine.
As a collaborative forum, Fidelity for Life remains open to guest posts, helpful links, encouraging art, and all reader contributions designed to reinforce our commitment to, and not distract from, living life in the real world with the wonderfully real people around us. (See "Submission Guidelines")
But as for me and my house, we'll be out there "keeping it real."
...And just to belabor the point:
"My dreams are worthless, my plans are dust, my goals are impossible. All are of no value unless they are followed by action. I will act now." (Og Mandino, The Greatest Salesman in the World, The Scroll Marked IX)
"Well done is better than well said." (Benjamin Franklin)
"We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action." (Frank Tibolt)
"Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned." (Peter Marshall)
"Action is eloquence." (William Shakespeare)
"Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold - but so does a hard-boiled egg." (Author Unknown)
"Talk doesn't cook rice." (Chinese Proverb)
"All know the way; few actually walk it." (Bodhidharma)
"Action is the antidote to despair." (Joan Baez)
"Ironically, making a statement with words is the least effective method." (Grey Livingston)
So there I was, over a year ago now, flying economy in an ergonomic conundrum of a seat, watching the silver-haired gentleman across the narrow aisle from me. A special thanks to the older man who inspired this blog, whose gentle arm was wrapped protectively, affectionately around his wife in the adjacent seat. She snuggled up to him with the kind of trust founded on years of mutual loyalty and faithfulness. A special thanks to the elderly couple and the people they had chosen to be, however imperfectly.
How do we get there, you and I? How do we end up 34,000 feet in the air with the love of our life in the next seat over, a warm destination ahead, and a package of complimentary pretzels in our front shirt pocket? I found "fidelity" to be the answer then and now; faithfulness, integrity and sincere attention to ourselves and to others, children of God who deserve nothing less than our best selves.
Twenty years from now, the love of your life in the airplane seat next to you won’t be there because of a witty Facebook status. They’ll be there because of hours of rich, person-to-person conversations that taught them just how lovable you are. How do we get there? One year later, I still don't have all the answers, but I do have some ideas, slowly compiled and published over the last 12 months.
And the best one yet? It's time to log off.
A dear friend once taught me that we "live in a remarkable world filled with truths waiting for us to discover." Each of us has lives meant to be lived...meant to be shared. And I can't wait to get back to mine.
As a collaborative forum, Fidelity for Life remains open to guest posts, helpful links, encouraging art, and all reader contributions designed to reinforce our commitment to, and not distract from, living life in the real world with the wonderfully real people around us. (See "Submission Guidelines")
But as for me and my house, we'll be out there "keeping it real."
...And just to belabor the point:
"My dreams are worthless, my plans are dust, my goals are impossible. All are of no value unless they are followed by action. I will act now." (Og Mandino, The Greatest Salesman in the World, The Scroll Marked IX)
"Well done is better than well said." (Benjamin Franklin)
"We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action." (Frank Tibolt)
"Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned." (Peter Marshall)
"Action is eloquence." (William Shakespeare)
"Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold - but so does a hard-boiled egg." (Author Unknown)
"Talk doesn't cook rice." (Chinese Proverb)
"All know the way; few actually walk it." (Bodhidharma)
"Action is the antidote to despair." (Joan Baez)
"Ironically, making a statement with words is the least effective method." (Grey Livingston)
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