We have all done it at one point or another. We’ve been quick to judge someone as “less-than.” We’ve lifted our noses because something in or about them is different or awkward, strange or uncomfortable, or contrary to our beliefs. No matter who they are, where they’ve been, or what they’ve done, they still have worth—they have value. You have …

There’s a certain line from an old movie called Love Story in which Ali MacGraw says to Ryan O’Neal, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” I couldn’t disagree more. John Lennon once offered a contrary version: “Love means having to say you’re sorry every five minutes.” I disagree with that, too. To show true love is to embrace …

Waiting…sometimes…usually…pretty much…sucks—especially in our modern drive-thru, on-demand, Instagram culture. Patience seems to be a foreign concept, particularly with today’s younger generation. The truth is, having patience is hard; it doesn’t come naturally.Impatience appears in many forms: the kind where we over-expectantly want our desires to be instantly met; the kind where we let a sense of entitlement set us above others; …

Precious stones and jewels generally aren’t found naturally laying about in plain sight; you have to dig for them, sometimes busting through layers hard rock and dusting off debris. And even when they are discovered, often times they look dull and unassuming. But when given proper care—when cleaned, polished and cut—they reveal spectacular, majestic beauty. Many people, including ourselves, walk …

My wife bought for me an amazingly beautiful and intriguing plant called the goldfish plant (or Nematanthus wettsteinii for all of you nerdy scientific types). It has these bright orange flowers that radiate from glossy green foliage; the flowers look like little orange goldfish. Sadly, I am not a very good plant person. I love them, but I certainly don’t …