I am not sure where or even when I found this list, but it is a good one. I would like to think that I try to live these principles out, but I know I fall short, sometimes way short. (I’m looking at you #16!) I offer them to you for your reflection. I will have a couple of short comments after you read this list.
Adult Principles by John Perry Barlow
- Be patient. No matter
- Don’t badmouth: Assign responsibility, not blame. Say nothing of another you wouldn’t say to him or her. (Editor’s note: that includes social )
- Never assume the motives of others are, to them, less noble than yours are to
- Expand your sense of the
- Don’t trouble yourself with matters you truly cannot
- Don’t ask more of others than you can de- liver
- Tolerate
- Laugh at yourself
- Concern yourself with what is right rather than who is
- Try not to forget that, no matter how certain, you might be
- Give up blood
- Remember that your life belongs to oth- ers as well. Don’t risk it
- Never lie to anyone for any reason. (Lies of omission are sometimes )
- Learn the needs of those around you and respect
- Avoid the pursuit of happiness. Seek to define your mission and pursue
- Reduce your use of the first personal pronoun.
- Praise at least as often as you
- Admit your errors freely and
- Become less suspicious of
- Understand
- Remember that love forgives
- Foster dignity.
- Live
- Love
The principle that is the most difficult for me is #5. I continually fret and worry about things that I simply cannot change.
The principle that is easiest for me is #8, although laughing at myself has gotten me into a bit of trouble.
The most important principle for me is #25. Especially during the time of Covid and now All Things New, it is vital that we keep going and endure. At the Convocation, talking to some of my brother priests, I was amazed at how well Holy Redeemer Parish and School managed the pandemic. There were a cou- ple of blips, but nothing compared to what other parishes had to endure.
Let me know what you think of my list. What is the most difficult or challenging principle for you? What is the most im- portant principle for you?
Father Kevin