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We live lives that are made easier by the trappings of our reality. We may say that we are not very wealthy, but we are just that when compared to the worlds' population. The prosperous routine of our lives gives us comfort and a measure of insulation from the cares of this world. We know there are dangers all around us but it's simpler to avoid thinking about them because of the stuff we own and the protection we've been accustomed to until someone we trust makes us aware of something that shakes us to our core - something that could threaten our peaceful existence.

The spirit of giving and the various ways that we give is a key part of our relationship with God. The desire to give of our time in service for ministry, our talents to further God's freedom from bondage to self, and our possessions is admirable. Add to those, the desire to give our prayers for those in need and the study of the Bible as an offering to God means that we have learned to do those things as a holy habit from someone we have held or still hold in high esteem.

The idea of a saintly person recalls on the one hand a very blessed, positive, and inspirational example of our humanity and on the other hand a judgmental, outdated, and unattainable persona that for many people is not taken seriously as an aspirational achievement. I think that most people not only see a saint as someone who has died but someone who must be dead to be considered a real saint.

"Hello, can I help you?" We are used to having people from a variety of places that serve both a public and private clientele ask this question when greeted. Most people respond differently to this question based on their level of urgency or desire to obtain what is requested of the representative of the company or organization offering to help them. If the need is critical or life threatening, the response is intense and overt. If the desire is authentic but not urgent, the response will be measured but not necessarily persistent.

How do you feel about being ambitious? If you have an eager desire for rank, fame, or power, that's the definition of being ambitious. If so, are you okay with that being the driving force of your life? We should feel good about setting high-minded goals for ourselves and achieving them, but would you say that setting high-minded goals and striving to accomplish them equal the same thing as being ambitious? What is the difference between those who have an eager desire for rank and fame and those who seek to set a high standard of excellence in whatever they do in life?

Our health is very important to us, so much so, that we do something habitually that is meant to improve or maintain our overall health condition. We do those things so that we can live as long as we can here on Earth.

Who hasn't been affected by the breakup of a marriage of either their own or by way of someone in their family of friendship group. The feelings of heartache and pain are overwhelming. The feelings of self-blame and internalization of the issues that led to the breakup of the marriage affect those who have had to suffer through it and all their family members as well.

There are several reasons why we choose to compete with others. One reason is that the society that nurtured us also weaved into our collective consciousness the idea that those who are not with us are against us. "With us" may be defined as the people that we list as our family, friends, racial resemblance, same sexual orientation, political partners, and gender group, among many others.

How do we determine the value of something? In our workplaces, churches, and even our extracurricular activities, there are often expectations that we are supposed to meet and metrics by which we are evaluated.

What if we asked our family and friends to tell us what the people around us think of us? We might be surprised at what they say. The thing that may surprise us the most is the wide range of characteristics they used to explain how they think of us - much of which we won't agree with. What some people think of us may be far different from how we think of ourselves. Those people may think that way not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of what their expectations of us are and if we measure up to those expectations or not.

We are concerned about the care that we give to each other or need ourselves, especially when we face difficult situations that require special assistance to help us through them.

When you are going through hardships, how do you deal with them? Are you frustrated and feel that it is unfair that you must endure those tough circumstances? Does jealously overtake you when you see others around you having a good time while you are in the "winter of your discontent?"

What tradition has had the most influence in forming the person that you are now? Think about your family, racial, ethnic or tribal traditions. Consider your civic or social club traditions. Remember the scientific or sporting traditions you have engaged in. Finally, center on the influence of your religious and spiritual traditions as a child, teen and adult. Our religious traditions should bind us closer to God and each other in both thought and action when we participate in them.