LOVE WORKS DAILY 05/04/07 - FOUR QUESTIONS: Part One - Honesty
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May 4, 2007, 2:00:12 PM5/4/07
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LOVE WORKS DAILY 05/04/07 - FOUR QUESTIONS: Part
One - Honesty
May is here, and love is in the air...well, actually
Love is always in the air...if you just take the time
to stop and breathe some in! Love to you!
INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT:
(Great Thoughts By History's Inspired Thinking Men and Women)
(Great Thoughts By History's Inspired Thinking Men and Women)
I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow
my own feelings.
-Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
TIM's BLOG
(Random Thoughts and Tim's Daily World):
(Random Thoughts and Tim's Daily World):
Good morning Friday. Woke up this morning to 3 inches of snow
on the ground. Yes it is the 4th of May, and yes, we got snow.
Oh well, people have told me they have had snow of the 4th of July
here in the past, so nothing surprises me.
on the ground. Yes it is the 4th of May, and yes, we got snow.
Oh well, people have told me they have had snow of the 4th of July
here in the past, so nothing surprises me.
I wanted to welcome those who have joined us this week, and
encourage those who know others that may enjoy this forum to
pass along their email addresses to me.
encourage those who know others that may enjoy this forum to
pass along their email addresses to me.
Also, a reminder that this is an open list, meaning that mine is not
the only
voice on here, although you will notice that usually I do post
most often. If you have something to share with the group, reply
to any message and it will be forwarded to all. If it is longer
than a short comment and would be suited as a LOVE WORKS essay
in the FOOD FOR THOUGHT section below, I may include it
that way in a future edition of this newsletter.
voice on here, although you will notice that usually I do post
most often. If you have something to share with the group, reply
to any message and it will be forwarded to all. If it is longer
than a short comment and would be suited as a LOVE WORKS essay
in the FOOD FOR THOUGHT section below, I may include it
that way in a future edition of this newsletter.
If you would prefer you comments NOT be passed along to
other list readers, please email me at:
lovewor...@wildblue.net
other list readers, please email me at:
lovewor...@wildblue.net
We have received some fantastic responses and guest essays in
past and I would love to see several Love Works essays per month
written by other authors.
past and I would love to see several Love Works essays per month
written by other authors.
I have written this for about 6 years now, and sometimes I
feel I have exhausted every topic...but then again...along
comes another one.
feel I have exhausted every topic...but then again...along
comes another one.
That's the case today...inspiration for today's Love Works...
called Four Questions sent to me by a new reader. Thanks...it
was very informative and inspirational.
called Four Questions sent to me by a new reader. Thanks...it
was very informative and inspirational.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
(Brand New and Classic Love Works Essays 2001-2007)
Some sent me an email today with an essay attached to it called
"The Four Absolutes", and they are very similar to four values
that I have promoted here over the years...Compassion. Wisdom. Courage....
...and Love. The first three are really just versions of Love.
Behavior, so to speak, on how to exhibit Love.
"The Four Absolutes", and they are very similar to four values
that I have promoted here over the years...Compassion. Wisdom. Courage....
...and Love. The first three are really just versions of Love.
Behavior, so to speak, on how to exhibit Love.
Some of you may be familiar already with "The Four Absolutes"
and the sections in quotes below are directly from it.
and the sections in quotes below are directly from it.
The 4 Absolutes referenced are Honesty, Unselfishness, Love &
Purity. I would make the supposition that again honesty (an aspect of wisdom
I sometimes refer to as integrity, which requires courage) and unselfishness (an aspect of
compassion) are directly related to the topics we discuss often
here. The third, Love, IS the topic we discuss here...and the
forth...purity, is something that of course seems to be
an aspect of Love in it's basic sense, but not something
I think that has been addressed much here.
Purity. I would make the supposition that again honesty (an aspect of wisdom
I sometimes refer to as integrity, which requires courage) and unselfishness (an aspect of
compassion) are directly related to the topics we discuss often
here. The third, Love, IS the topic we discuss here...and the
forth...purity, is something that of course seems to be
an aspect of Love in it's basic sense, but not something
I think that has been addressed much here.
What I am going to do is talk about each of these in 4 different
Love Works essays, each one focusing on a different "Absolute"
and most specifically presenting and discussing the question
associated with it.
Love Works essays, each one focusing on a different "Absolute"
and most specifically presenting and discussing the question
associated with it.
The First Absolute, as proposed by a pamphlet published by
the Oxford Group Movement in the 1940's was....
HONESTY
And the question associated with it was...
Is it true or is it false?
That can be a tough one to know for sure...we can think we
are being honest..or that someone is being honest about something..
We can think that something is TRUE, but we have been mislead.
We can mislead ourselves with false facts and premises.
are being honest..or that someone is being honest about something..
We can think that something is TRUE, but we have been mislead.
We can mislead ourselves with false facts and premises.
Let's look at some of the text from the original pamphlet,
and yes I have edited it for length and to include information
that is most relevant to the general population rather than
just the specific group it was intended for....
and yes I have edited it for length and to include information
that is most relevant to the general population rather than
just the specific group it was intended for....
"Over and over we must ask ourselves, "Is it true or is
it false?" For honesty is the eternal search for
truth. It is by far the most difficult of the four
Absolutes...
Too many (and we plead guilty) simply turn over a
new leaf and relax. That is wrong. The real virtue
in honesty lies in the persistent dedicated striving
for it. There is no relaxed twilight zone, it's either
full speed ahead constantly or it's not honesty we seek.
And the unrelenting pursuit of truth will set you free,
even if you don't quite catch up to it. We need not
choose or pursue falsity. All we need is to relax our
pursuit of truth, and falsity will find us."
it false?" For honesty is the eternal search for
truth. It is by far the most difficult of the four
Absolutes...
Too many (and we plead guilty) simply turn over a
new leaf and relax. That is wrong. The real virtue
in honesty lies in the persistent dedicated striving
for it. There is no relaxed twilight zone, it's either
full speed ahead constantly or it's not honesty we seek.
And the unrelenting pursuit of truth will set you free,
even if you don't quite catch up to it. We need not
choose or pursue falsity. All we need is to relax our
pursuit of truth, and falsity will find us."
When we relax, falsity will find us. That is a good point.
And something I struggle with. Something I find that when I
"put it in cruise control" I slip away from the truth..about things,
about myself, and can find myself in a place of injury.
A challenge is how honest is TOO honest. Does honesty mean
telling every fat person that they are fat or every stupid person
that they are stupid? Is that the kind of honesty that
we are talking about. I don't think so...and the other
Absolutes address that very issue. Love is kind. Sometimes
you may need to tell someone something they don't want to hear,
but it doesn't require being rude or insensitive when doing so.
And something I struggle with. Something I find that when I
"put it in cruise control" I slip away from the truth..about things,
about myself, and can find myself in a place of injury.
A challenge is how honest is TOO honest. Does honesty mean
telling every fat person that they are fat or every stupid person
that they are stupid? Is that the kind of honesty that
we are talking about. I don't think so...and the other
Absolutes address that very issue. Love is kind. Sometimes
you may need to tell someone something they don't want to hear,
but it doesn't require being rude or insensitive when doing so.
As I look at honesty in terms of integrity it's a matter of
looking IN and looking OUT. Being a whole person, a true person
and unified person in terms of thought, word and action.
looking IN and looking OUT. Being a whole person, a true person
and unified person in terms of thought, word and action.
"The search for truth is the noblest expression of the soul.
Let a human throw the engines of his soul into the doing
or making of something good, and the instinct of
workmanship alone will take car of his honesty. The noblest
pleasure we can have is to find a great new truth
and discard old prejudice. When not actively sought,
truth seldom comes to light, but falsehood does. Truth is
life and falsity is spiritual death. It's an everlasting,
unrelenting instinct for truth that counts. Honesty is
not a policy. It has to be a constant conscious
state of mind."
Let a human throw the engines of his soul into the doing
or making of something good, and the instinct of
workmanship alone will take car of his honesty. The noblest
pleasure we can have is to find a great new truth
and discard old prejudice. When not actively sought,
truth seldom comes to light, but falsehood does. Truth is
life and falsity is spiritual death. It's an everlasting,
unrelenting instinct for truth that counts. Honesty is
not a policy. It has to be a constant conscious
state of mind."
This to me is a simply brilliant set of statement.
It is the seeking spirit. Never stopping and staying...
I HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS...my group..my church...my club...
WE ARE COMPLETELY RIGHT...and YOU ARE COMPLETELY WRONG...
Honesty is that constant seeking....an everlasting, unrelenting
conscious state of mind. Beautifully said, powerful words.
It is the seeking spirit. Never stopping and staying...
I HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS...my group..my church...my club...
WE ARE COMPLETELY RIGHT...and YOU ARE COMPLETELY WRONG...
Honesty is that constant seeking....an everlasting, unrelenting
conscious state of mind. Beautifully said, powerful words.
"Accuracy is close to being the twin brother of honesty,
but inaccuracy and exaggeration are at least
"kissing cousins" of dishonesty. We may bring ourselves
to believe almost anything by rationalization,
(another of our fine arts), and so it's well to
begin and end our inquiry with the question,
"Is it true?" Any man who loves to search for truth
is precious to any fellowship or society.
Any intended violation of honesty stabs the health
of not only the doer but also the whole fellowship.
On the other hand if we are honest to the limit
of our ability, the basic appetite for truth in
others, which may be dormant but not dead, will rise
majestically to join us.... it's the
power of example that does the job."
but inaccuracy and exaggeration are at least
"kissing cousins" of dishonesty. We may bring ourselves
to believe almost anything by rationalization,
(another of our fine arts), and so it's well to
begin and end our inquiry with the question,
"Is it true?" Any man who loves to search for truth
is precious to any fellowship or society.
Any intended violation of honesty stabs the health
of not only the doer but also the whole fellowship.
On the other hand if we are honest to the limit
of our ability, the basic appetite for truth in
others, which may be dormant but not dead, will rise
majestically to join us.... it's the
power of example that does the job."
This is the idea of being "technically accurate" or correct
"from a certain point of view". They are as the text stated
"kissing cousins" of dishonesty. I am guilty of this quite
often. I can rationalize that I am not lying, I am just not
telling the whole truth. Sometimes I go as far as saying
that it serves the greater good. That telling the whole
truth would harm someone, or cause discord.
The manipulations of the truth are, at worst, usually intentional.
"from a certain point of view". They are as the text stated
"kissing cousins" of dishonesty. I am guilty of this quite
often. I can rationalize that I am not lying, I am just not
telling the whole truth. Sometimes I go as far as saying
that it serves the greater good. That telling the whole
truth would harm someone, or cause discord.
The manipulations of the truth are, at worst, usually intentional.
When we are unintentionally dishonest, especially with
ourselves,
sometimes it's easy to excuse it. But to "shade the truth" or
"spin the truth", as so many want to call in now, we are intentionally
deceiving or tricking others. Worth examining.
sometimes it's easy to excuse it. But to "shade the truth" or
"spin the truth", as so many want to call in now, we are intentionally
deceiving or tricking others. Worth examining.
"It is much simpler to appear honest, than to be honest.
We must strive to be in reality what we appear to be.
It is easier to be honest with others than with ourselves.
Our searching self-inventories help because the man
who knows himself is at least on the doorstep of honesty.
When we try to enhance our stature in the eyes of
others, dishonesty is there in the shadows. When falsehood
even creeps in, we are getting back on the
merry-go-round because falsehoods not only disagree with
truth, they quarrel with each other. Remember?
We must strive to be in reality what we appear to be.
It is easier to be honest with others than with ourselves.
Our searching self-inventories help because the man
who knows himself is at least on the doorstep of honesty.
When we try to enhance our stature in the eyes of
others, dishonesty is there in the shadows. When falsehood
even creeps in, we are getting back on the
merry-go-round because falsehoods not only disagree with
truth, they quarrel with each other. Remember?
It is one thing to devoutly wish the truth may be on
your side, and it is quite another to wish sincerely
to be on the side of truth. Honesty would seem to be the
toughest of our four absolutes and at the same time,
the most exciting challenge.
your side, and it is quite another to wish sincerely
to be on the side of truth. Honesty would seem to be the
toughest of our four absolutes and at the same time,
the most exciting challenge.
"Is it true or false?" Let us make that a ceaseless
question
that we try to answer...."
that we try to answer...."
Honesty takes a tremendous amount of courage but it is an
essential part of loving ourselves, and once we've started
doing that...loving others.
essential part of loving ourselves, and once we've started
doing that...loving others.
Is there an absolute honesty?...I don't think so. We are
limited
as human beings, and we do the very best we can. I think sometimes
we delude ourselves into thinking that we are honest when
we are not even close. We rest easy thinking, "I am a good, honest,
hard working person." I won't argue the good part...but
it is a question to ask...are we being as honest as we can
and are we actually working as hard at it as we think we are?
as human beings, and we do the very best we can. I think sometimes
we delude ourselves into thinking that we are honest when
we are not even close. We rest easy thinking, "I am a good, honest,
hard working person." I won't argue the good part...but
it is a question to ask...are we being as honest as we can
and are we actually working as hard at it as we think we are?
Thanks to the reader who sent me this material. I will continue soon
by looking at the next section Unselfishness...
by looking at the next section Unselfishness...
Until then have a great day....and remember comments and discussion
are always welcome and explicitly solicited.
are always welcome and explicitly solicited.
"Is it true or is it false?"
One thing I know is true. Love Works...if you let it!
Love In Thought! Love In Word! Love In Action!
Love To You Today!
"May we endeavor today to increase our understanding and appreciation of
what others have given and contributed to us. And develop constant,
mindful consideration of how our thoughts and actions will BENEFICIALLY
CONTRIBUTE to others"
what others have given and contributed to us. And develop constant,
mindful consideration of how our thoughts and actions will BENEFICIALLY
CONTRIBUTE to others"
The best to you today in discovering the answers to life's difficult
questions!
questions!
A Final Thought:
Love is always the right thing to do. Even if it isn't the easiest
thing to do.
thing to do.
May we have compassion for the struggles of others, wisdom to
acknowledge our own, and courage to address them both every day.
acknowledge our own, and courage to address them both every day.
Respectfully,
Tim
Tim
This is a daily newsletter of LOVE WORKS DAILY:
A collective of individuals of different beliefs and
backgrounds, dedicated to a better world by living LOVE in thought,
word and action. Compassion. Wisdom. Courage.
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Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Peace be with you.
Peace be with you.
(c)2007 T.Thomas Henry
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