Justice without Love

I just finished reading God and empire : Jesus against Rome, then and now / John Dominic Crossan. He takes the position that justice without love is brutality and love without justice is banality.

What do you think?

Shaun

Advice for a PhD Graduate

I had a poster soliciting advice at my graduation party. While some folks said that I should be dispensing advice on account of the PhD, I think they were teasing a little. Here is the advice people wrote for me:

"Don't take life too seriously - Laugh a lot and wear a crazy hat! Expect kisses and hugs from your auntie. Keep your eyes on the Lord!"

"Do everything your wife says. :)"

"Go with your first instinct. [It's usually right.]"

"Listen to good music, breathe deeply & troubles will melt away. (If that doesn't work, try candy.)"

"Just because you are a doctor doesn't mean you can save lives."

Shaun

Are You on the Edge of Greatness?

Are You on the Edge of Greatness?

Do you ever wonder how people get so close to wonderful opportunities and yet cannot seem to take that one step that would put them over the top? I pondered this recently. I was at my graduation ceremony listening to our speaker. He was an accomplished man who has overcome great obstacles and was sharing information about his worthy cause with us.

So what was the issue? He read his speech word for word. The right words were there, but the passion did not come through. What should have rocked people out of their seats and into action became yet another graduation speech. I am sure he did some good, but sadly I think he missed a moment of greatness.

I know there are times that I should have spoken out in my life when I did not. Volunteered and I did not (the reverse is true as well). This article is not about regret, however, but about recognizing opportunity to be great and do great deeds. By examining missed opportunities, we can better prepare ourselves to be aware of those moments.

Likewise, we can think about the times we took a chance at greatness. What did we gain? What was the cost? What would it have been like had we not tried? How did it lay the foundation for the rest of your life?

Being aware of your opportunity for greatness and what you stand to gain (even if you appear to fail) will help you start living your greatness today.

Shaun Jamison, JD, PhD
www.guideonyourside.com

Do Personality Types Matter?

I just got finished reading Elaine Aron's book on highly sensitive people. It was very interesting and informative. But it left me with a question about personality types. I do think it is helpful to explore our own personalities and have an awareness of others. But since people are so complex and behave in different manners in different settings, are we confusing the issue by trying to peg a response based on personality type?

Maybe what we should do is pay attention and observe those we interact with the most and adjust our style as appropriate to team and people. Certain principles of good communication and behavior work well within entire cultures and subcultures if we can master them, so there's another place we could put our energy to good use.

What do you think?

Shaun Jamison
www.guideonyourside.com