Sunday, January 28, 2007

Excellence - It Can Be Attained


"Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but rather we have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle. This quote caught my attention and caused me to ponder about excellence. Oft times, people feel they can never attain excellence and actually fear the thought of reaching excellence. In Aristotle's words, it seems quite reasonable to attain excellence. "Get Ready, Set, Think," is a lesson I have taught on how to make effective change in your life. Scientific studies suggest that if a person makes a conscience effort for 21 consecutive days to act in a desired manner, that act will become planted in your subconscience and you will continue the desired act. In my lesson, I encourage people to make a conscience effort to read their Bible, pray, and attain goals in their lives. To paraphrase Aristotle, we don't have it all together because we have the Holy Spirit in us, but rather we have the Holy Spirit because we have made it a habit to seek after the Spirit and acted rightly to attain/maintain it. I am not sure if what I am thinking inside my head is being stated clearly in this blog, but if you desire excellence in your life let your right actions become habit. Voila! Tres bien!
P.S. I couldn't resist adding an "excellent" snapshot of an "excellent" girl

4 comments:

  1. Mais bien sur! Is that tres mignon fille in the picture your daughter? She's a beautiful girl. You have probably seen my face before. Last year I went to Costa Rica with your mother and father-in-law on the Pastors On Missions trip and had a great time. I will come by your booth at Ladies' Conference.

    God bless you,

    Carol

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  2. Oui, that is my darling girl. I look forward to seeing you at conf. I will not be there Thursday evening, but I hope to be there before the end of Friday morning service.

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  3. Oh, there she is again in another adorable outfit! Your daughter has the CUTEST clothes! Thanks for sharing the pic!

    Love, Tena

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  4. Oh, thank you, Tena. That was a snapshot taken at our Jr. King and Queen Pageant. It is an annual fund-raiser at our church and all the participants dress like royalty. They have their pomp and circumstance each year as the "royal court" parades into the sanctuary. Too cute! Thanks again for the compliment!

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