Provision #649: Celebrate & Serve
by Bob Tschannen-Moran
LifeTrek Provision
Welcome to Provisions light. In this season of celebration and service,
we're taking a break from our normal fare to wish you the best of holiday
greetings. Dewitt Jones makes a distinction in one of his videos between "being
the best in the world" and "being the best for the world." The distinction is
subtle but significant. It is what we aspire to and hope to inspire others to
through LifeTrek Coaching International.
Upon my arrival at my parents' home in Cleveland, Ohio for the Christmas
holidays, my father passed along a little pamphlet on Albert Schweitzer
(1875-1965), the theologian, musician, philosopher, physician, and humanitarian
who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953. His life epitomized that distinction and
embodied the spirit of this holiday season. So I thought I would pass along a
few Schweitzer quotes for this holiday edition of LifeTrek Provisions:
"From childhood, I felt a compassion for animals. Even before I started
school, I found it impossible to understand why in my evening prayers, I
should pray only for human beings."
"As long as I can remember, I have suffered because of the great misery I
saw in the world. I never really knew the artless, youthful joy of living,
and I believe that many children feel this way, even when outwardly they
seem to be wholly happy and without a single care."
"Give some time to your fellow human beings. Even if it's a little thing, do
something for others -- something for which you get not pay but the
privilege of doing it." In trying to find a unifying concept for my book
on ethics, "the phrase, 'Reverence for Life,' struck me like a flash. As far
as I knew, it was a phrase I had never heard nor ever read. Only by means of
reverence for life can we establish a spiritual and humane relationship with
both people and all living creatures within our reach. Only in this fashion
can we avoid harming others, and, within the limits of our capacity, go to
their aid whenever they need us."
"Just as white light consists of colored rays, so reverence for life
contains all the components of ethics: love, kindliness, sympathy, empathy,
peacefulness, and power to forgive." "I don't know what your destiny will
be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really
happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."
"The fundamental fact of human awareness is this: 'I am life that wants to
live in the midst of other life that wants to live.'"
"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness
causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate."
May you celebrate and serve, in the spirit of Albert Schweitzer, in this
holiday season and in every season of life.
Coaching Inquiries: What does the phrase "reverence for life" mean to you? How
can you embody that phrase more fully in your daily life? Who can be a mentor of
caring for you? How can the spirit of the season become your reason for being in
life?
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LifeTrek Readers' Forum (selected feedback
from the past week)
Editor's Note: The LifeTrek Readers' Forum contains selections from the comments
and materials sent in each week by the readers of LifeTrek Provisions. They do
not necessarily reflect the perspective of LifeTrek Coaching International. To
submit your comment, use our Feedback Form or
Email Bob.
Reading your last Provision,
Take
Responsibility, I had to smile, as just this week I shared that very same
quotation from Marianne Williamson with a client who was feeling discouraged. I
encouraged her to "claim her power." Glad to know that even as a new coach, my
instinct was on the right track! :) Thank you for your weekly Provisions. Best
wishes for happy holidays and a joyous New Year
Thanks for your messages. They are highly inspirational. I hope to
receive more form you. Once again, thanks. Top
May you be filled with goodness, peace, and joy.
Bob Tschannen-Moran, President
LifeTrek Coaching International
121 Will Scarlet Lane
Williamsburg, VA 23185-5043
Email: Coach@LifeTrekCoaching.com
Phone: (757) 345-3452
Fax: (772) 382-3258
Twitter: LifeTrekBob
Web: www.LifeTrekCoaching.com
Mobile: www.LifeTrekMobile.com
Coach Training: www.EvocativeCoaching.com
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