Esther "Eppie" Pauline Friedman Lederer wrote a syndicated advice column under the pen name of Ann Landers. Although I have not read any of her columns to memory, this quote came upon me and I think it's fair advice worth sharing.

"Maturity is the ability to live in peace with that which we cannot change."

There is something to be said about the person that lives with that which cannot be changed. How much greater of a person I would be if I could maturely accept life's givings with grace and gratefulness.

During the 1800's lived a gentleman with the pen name, Josh Billings. His real name was Henry Wheeler Shaw and he is considered perhaps the second most famous humor writer and lecturer in the second half of the 19th century after Mark Twain, whom also used a pen name.

"Occasions are rare; and those who know how to seize upon them are rarer"

Soemtimes I fail to realize that occasions as Mr. Billings says, are 'rare' as I go about the day-to-day. And then, it hits me. Wow. What gifts we are blessed with, those occasions.

17th century English philosoher John Locke said this,

"It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of truth."

I ask myself whether I learn more from my errors, or unveiling the truth. In truth, there is light and I believe it is in the light that I also discover my errors.

I feel like today is a good day to hear from the Charles M. Schulz character, Charlie Brown. He makes me smile; the innocence, a pure heart of good intentions.

“In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back.”

Too often, I try to find the shortcut. There really isn't one. And if there was and I took it, what would I have learned? What would have been the point?

We need to read the whole book to understand, and then, read it again.

Author Dave Dravecky noted,

I've come to realize that real growth of character takes place in the valleys of life.

The last place I wanted to be was in the valley and to feel the heartache of the descent with blinded sight and an ignorant mind, alone.

However, what is learned in the valley can only be experienced there, in person. That knowledge, that wisdom cannot be felt by reading or contemplation. Nor is the descent ever experienced alone.

Is it written in 2nd Chapter of James, verse 24,

You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

I believe that 'action of faith' is part of the climb. It is an exhilerating adventure that He has always desired His children to experience.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired Americans and individuals around the world. He spoke words and took action that brought unity and non-violence with the principle of unconditional love.

"If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream, the Trumpet of Conscience.”

Dr. King reminds me that beneath this armor is that Trumpet of Conscience, wanting to be played.

In 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. released a book entitled Strength to Love. It contains sixteen sermons and one essay entitled "Pilgrimage to Nonviolence." The book was one of many which he wrote conveying his beliefs and stance on the conflicts he confronted.

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

I find my strength in Truth; to seek it, unveil it, choose it, act upon it, and to believe it in all its humbled glory.