Our Livelihood
"Why are you rushing so much?" asked the rabbi.
"I'm rushing after my livelihood," the man answered. "And how do you know," said the rabbi, "that your livelihood is running on before you, so that you have to rush after it? Perhaps it's behind you, and all you need to do is stand still."
Attributed to, Rabbi Ben Meir of Berdichev
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Self Honesty
Just as a good motorist has his car checked at reasonable intervals, so does the wise person check on himself or herself from time to time.
This person is interested in seeing himself as he truly is, because he honestly wants to be true to his human nature and personal dignity. His interest, however, is not morbid. He does not blame himself for unavoidable shortcomings or unwanted limitations. Neither does he wish to avoid the genuine responsibilities that prove him master of his own life. He lives within his means, i.e., by making use of the talents, opportunities, obligations, and supernatural graces at his disposal. He sees his natural limitations as God-given limits to his personal achievement. He knows that to seek his fulfillment beyond those limitations would be a foolish effort and a useless straining.
"My Daily Life",
By Anthony J. Paone, S.J.
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