What is vital a considered and measured response

+JMJ +

What is vital to thriving during this time of crisis is attaining and retaining and good perspective.

As I have written before, without perspective we can easily get snagged in a number of different pitfalls.

How do you develop a good perspective?

I have already discussed study and spiritual life, as well as prayer.

Also gratitude.

Now I think it is a good idea to think about pace of life.

I recently made a step in the right direction on this issue.

By pace of life I mean taking the time to ponder things at a deeper level, prior to reacting based on the surface elements.

How?

The example I have comes from my work life.

I have a co-worker (person x) who is very ambitious. We also have very different communication styles that compounded to create a difficult working situation.

Over the past couple of years I have been trying to figure out how to work with them.

Recently I had to cover for both my colleagues while they were on vacation.

On returning, x cc'd me on an email to a senior scientist that I had been helping while x was away.

My first reaction was that part of the email was a dig at me. I felt myself getting upset. With an effort of the will I stopped myself from responding as I would have previously. After an hour identify back and read the email again. This time I was in a much better frame of mind. First I noted the tone of the email and simply concluded that I would never have used that tone with a senior scientist. Second, I was only cc'd, so no response was required.

End point, perhaps x intended to offer offense, but I simply left it on the table.

All because I slowed down and developed a broader perspective by realizing that I was emotionally charged and I should just give myself some time to reflect before I responded.

In this case I didn't need to respond. Since then I have set aside several emails for a few hours to ensure that I gave a considered and measured response instead of a ill-considered reaction.

P^3

Comments

The Curious Case of Steve Skojec and the Dangers of Deep Diving into the Crisis Sub-Titled: The Failings of Others

+ JMJ It's been a while now since Steve Skojec sold 1P5 and abandoned the Catholic Faith. I've been a 'Trad' since 1982 and in those 40+ years I seen this death-spiral before with a similar end point. It seems that anyone who jumps into the fray unprepared for the enormous task of righting wrongs will, eventually, become discouraged by not the task but the people who surround them. I remember when Skojec complained of the treatment his family received from a traditional priest. This seems to have been the start of the end for him. So what can we learn from the likes of Steve Skojec, Michael Voris (maybe?), Louie Verrecchio, Gerry Matatix and other celebrity Catholics? Probably quite a lot about what not to do. First, don't burn out on the crisis? When you burn out, on work or anything else, little things assume a more greater importance than they are due. This is one of my 'canary in the coal mine' signals that I've been stretching myself too th...

Communique about Avrille Dominicans - SSPX.org

+ JMJ Having completed the review of the 'Avrille' perspective, this communique from the French District Superior is perfectly timed. I believe that the 'resistance' has lost rationality and further argumentation simply results in their holding on to their false ideal all the more firmly. Pray much ... First, for them to acquiesce to the grace of humility in order to obtain a clear perspective on the principles involved. Second, that we may remain faithful to the Church, and Her Dogmas, Doctrines and Principles. Lest we become that which against we strove ... P^3 Courtesy of SSPX.org

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3

A Reply to Martin Blackshaw’s FLAWED Remnant article titled: FLAWED: SSPX Advice on Abortion-tainted Vaccines

+ JMJ An article has appeared in the Remnant (link to article) and I am afraid that there are a number of flaws in it that need to be addressed. The author, Martin Blackshaw, believes that both the Church and the SSPX are misapplying the principle of Moral Theology called 'Cooperation In Evil'. Unfortunately, Mr. Blackshaw rests most of his arguments on citing authors that support his position, without considering the possibility that they are wrong. This highlights a key factor in this crisis: ignorance of the faith and its application . I don't am not singling out Mr. Blackshaw for this criticism, I have observed that it applies to laity and religious, superior and subject a like. No one seems immune in this enduring crisis, myself included. I further believe that this ignorance is why so many Catholics, both traditional and non, rely on their gut feeling or "Catholic conscience" for charting their way through this crisis of the faith. While...

Magisterium and Levels of Assent

+ JMJ Understanding the levels of assent to be given to the teachings of the Church is a critical success factor in walking the knife's edge during this crisis of the Church. The levels of assent are generally associated with the theological grades of certainty, which are not surprisingly mirrored by the censures for contravening the teachings of the various levels.

Tradicat

Search This Blog