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Archives for December 2010

Inspirational Quotations from the Holy Bible [#356]

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In observance of Christmas, I present teachings from the Holy Bible, the principal scripture in the Christian faith.

Merry Christmas! May you all have a day filled with peace and joy.

Jesus Christ status in La Sainte-Chapelle in Paris

Christmas and the Season of Goodwill

Christmas is widely celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of the Christian faith. Christians believe that Jesus, born to Mary and Joseph, a Jewish couple in Palestine in the first century AD, was the Christ (from the Greek word Khrist?s meaning “the anointed,” or “the chosen one of God”.)

To be precise, in the Christian tradition, December 25 is the first of the twelve days of Christmas. Traditionally, this twelve-day Christmas celebration ends with the feast of “Epiphany,” held on January 6 or on the first Sunday after Christmas.

Over the years, Christmas has transformed into a secular holiday. Historians and religious scholars believe that the December date for the birth of Christ was set around the time of the winter solstice to fit in with pre-Christian pagan traditions of feasting during the occasion of the sun’s annual rebirth, in late December. Besides, the Church of Rome (now the Vatican) did not establish the festival as Christian until the middle of the fourth century.

Christmas Spirit in Action

Christmas Spirit in Action No other holiday boasts a richer variety of rituals, traditions, and customs. Christmas celebrations vary around the world in length and style. The Christians attend midnight or Christmas day Church services and set up a Tyrolean crib at home featuring the town of Bethlehem and the manger to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

The season of good will is marked by exchange of gifts and greeting cards, sumptuous dinners, familiar hymns and songs, brightly lit trees, red-ribboned wreaths, ornaments and decorations, Santa Claus, and stockings. During the last few decades, the “Christmas shopping season” has become economically imperative as the time of new product introduction and hectic shopping.

The Holy Bible

The Bible (from the Greek word ta biblia, for “the books”) is a compilation of scripture in Judaism and the Christian faiths. It is the most widely read literature in the world.

The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains nearly all of the same writings as the Hebrew Bible; the New Testament is a collection of writings dating from after the life of Jesus. The New Testament includes the Gospels (the central message of Jesus Christ and the promise of salvation for the faithful,) the Acts of the Apostles (the stories of the few years after Jesus’ death,) the Epistles (details of the Christian faith), and the book of Revelation (a vision for the end of time.)

Inspirational Quotations from the Christian Bible

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

The entire law is summed up in a single command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

You cannot serve God and Mammon.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

He who attempts to resist the wave is swept away, but he who bends before it abides.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

The waters wear the stones.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

The kingdom of God is within you.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

Wondering what to read next?

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  2. No One Has a Monopoly on Truth
  3. Was the Buddha a God or a Superhuman?
  4. It Pays to Understand Religion
  5. Legendary Primatologist Jane Goodall on Spirituality

Inspirational Quotations #355

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A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.
—Spanish Proverb

It takes less time to do a thing right, than it does to explain why you did it wrong.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (American Poet)

Frozen in fear, you avoid responsibility because you think your experience is beyond your control. This stance keeps you from making decisions, solving problems, or going after what you want in life.
—David Emerald

Each of us is something of a schizophrenic personality, tragically divided against ourselves.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (American Civil Rights Leader)

One who helps us in difficult times should be considered as a relative, even if he is a stranger. One who hurts us, should be considered as a stranger, even if he is our relative. Though a disease resides in our body, it is harmful. But a medicinal plant that grows in a forest, saves lives.
—Hitopadesha

I sincerely believe that the word relationships is the key to the prospect of a decent world. It seems abundantly clear that every problem you will have-in your family, in your work, in our nation, or in this world-is essentially a matter of relationships, of interdependence.
—Clarence Francis (American Business Executive)

In hell, people starve because their hands are chained to six-foot-long chopsticks, too long to bring the rice to their mouths. Heaven is the same, only there, people feed each other.
—Vietnamese Proverb

Inspirational Quotations #354

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One always has time enough, if one will apply it well.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German Poet)

To commit adultery with God is the perfect experience for which the world was created.
—Sri Aurobindo (Indian Yogi, Nationalist)

Rely upon your own judgment; be true to your own conscience; follow the light that is within you; all outward lights are so many will-o’-the-wisps. There will be those who tell you that you are foolish; that your judgment is faulty; that your conscience is all awry, and that the light within you is darkness; but heed them not. If what they say is true, the sooner you, as a searcher of wisdom, find it out the better, and you can only make that discovery by bringing your powers to the test. Therefore, pursue your course bravely.
—James Allen

He that knows nothing, doubts nothing.
—Common Proverb

We need others. We need others to love and we need to be loved by them. There is no doubt that without it, we too, like the infant left alone, would cease to grow, cease to develop, choose madness and even death.
—Leo Buscaglia (American Motivational Speaker)

There is no wisdom save in truth. Truth is everlasting, but our ideas about truth are changeable. Only a little of the first fruits of wisdom, only a few fragments of the boundless heights, breadths and depths of truth, have I been able to gather.
—Martin Luther (German Protestant Theologian)

Before we can teach our children, we must understand and live the principles ourselves. It is vital that the child learn from our example that what we say and what we live are the same.
—Dwan J. Young

Unless a man has been taught what to do with success after getting it, the achievement of it must inevitably leave him a prey to boredom.
—Bertrand A. Russell (British Philosopher)

Thou Shall Attend the Office Holiday Party

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The office holiday party may seem like a mandatory celebration. Perhaps it is not in your tradition to celebrate Christmas. May be you are introversive, do not enjoy partying, or you feel uneasy about being around many unfamiliar people. You might even dread interacting with coworkers who you are not immensely fond of.

Despite your reluctance, the office holiday party comes with an implied obligation to attend it and enjoy it. Generally, companies consider the holiday party as a morale- and camaraderie-building occasion, not just as a mere ritual. Therefore, your management will take notice if you do not attend and may deem you negligent or arrogant if you ignore the office holiday party.

Unless you have a perfectly compelling reason—not an excuse—not to, you should partake in this celebration. It pays to attend the office holiday party, attempt to like it, exchange gifts, and make the most of it.

Great Opportunity to be “Seen”

As you move up the corporate ladder, one vital skill for your success is to be on familiar terms with the influential managers in your organization. The art of forming coalitions and winning the support is more about “who knows you” and “what they know about you” than about “who you know.” The most effective way of earning this recognition is showing up where the action is, “being there” and acting the part. For this very reason, the office holiday party is a great networking opportunity for you to introduce yourself to peers and management with whom you would not normally interact.

Office Holiday Party Etiquette

  • A word on propriety for the organizers: do not call the holiday party a “Christmas Party” and alienate employees who may not celebrate Christmas. The term “holiday party” is more inclusive.
  • Attend the party. Do not arrive too late or leave too early. You need not stay for the length of the party.
  • The holiday party is not a social occasion. Even if the party has a festive theme and setting, it is still in the professional context. Dress appropriately and conduct yourself professionally. Do not eat excessively or get drunk. Do not pass judgment, exchange inappropriate comments and jokes, or deride other guests.
  • Be Seen. Do not spend all your time hanging around familiar people. Mingle and introduce yourself to as many other guests as you can. Make sure you are “seen” by everybody important. Attempt to enjoy the party and make the most of it.
  • Bring a thoughtful and practical gift for the gift exchange ritual. Stay within the prescribed guidelines for buying gifts.
  • See my articles on how to start a conversation, how to help people pursue a conversation, how to introduce people to one another, and how to remember names.

The Winning Idea: Attend and enjoy the office party

Professional visibility and career success is often about fitting in and being visible to the influential managers and peers. Unless you have a perfectly compelling reason not to, you should partake in the office holiday party. Consider it a career advancement exercise, mingle with everybody, and enjoy it.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Office Chitchat Isn’t Necessarily a Time Waster
  2. Holiday Party Etiquette During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  3. What to Do When an Invitation Says “No Gifts”
  4. How to … Know When it’s Time to Quit Your Job
  5. Party Etiquette: Can you take your leftovers home?

Wisdom from The Talmud (Inspirational Quotations #353)

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In observance of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, I present wisdom from the Talmud, a sacred text of the Jewish faith.

Hanukkah, “Festival of Lights”

This year, the eight-day Hanukkah festival began at sunset on December 1 and concludes on December 9. Hanukkah was established in 165 BCE by the warrior-leader Judah Maccabee to commemorate the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following a past desecration of the temple by invaders. Hanukkah (‘Dedication’ in Hebrew) is also known as the “Festival of Dedication,” or the “Festival of Lights.”

Jewish families celebrate Hanukkah by kindling the lights of a nine-branched candlestick called the ‘Menorah‘. They kindle one light on the first night, two on the second night and so on. Each night, they also kindle the ninth light, the ‘Shamash‘, for kindling the others. The Shamash is usually higher or lower than the other eight in the Menorah.

The Talmud

Wisdom from the Talmud, Inspirational Quotations The word Talmud is short for ‘Talmud Torah,’ which means “study of the Torah” in Hebrew. The Torah is the Hebrew term for the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.) The Talmud is composed of several volumes of rabbinical discussions about the interpretation of the Biblical text related to Jewish history, philosophy, ethics, and customs—the meaning and conduct of life, in general.

The central part of the Talmud is the Mishnah, a record of the core teachings of Jewish faith that were previously preserved only orally. Surrounding the Mishnah is the Gemara, the interpretation and commentaries of the Mishnah. The Talmud has no single author. Rather, it is a collection of several volumes, to which Jewish scholars have added their accumulated knowledge over the course of time since about 220 CE.

For an introduction to the significance and the development of the Talmud, I recommend the excellent video documentary, “The Talmud” (available on NetFlix.)

The world’s most recognized dictum, the “golden rule,” is based in the Talmud: “Do not unto others that which you would not have them do unto you. That is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary.”

29 Inspirational Teachings from The Talmud

First correct thyself, then correct others.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

Sinful thoughts are even more dangerous than sin itself.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

No Israelite is allowed to lend usuriously to a non-Israelite.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

Learn first and philosophize afterwards.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

As a tree is known by its fruit, so man by his works.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

A miser is as wicked as an idolater.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

Even for the rebuilding of the Temple the instruction of the children must not be interrupted.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

A dream that is not interpreted is like a letter that has not been opened.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

Wondering what to read next?

  1. An Olympian History of Humanity // Book Summary of Yuval Noah Harari’s ‘Sapiens’
  2. No One Has a Monopoly on Truth
  3. Was the Buddha a God or a Superhuman?
  4. It Pays to Understand Religion
  5. Legendary Primatologist Jane Goodall on Spirituality