The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life (2012)
Thomas M. Sterner
In this book Thomas M. Sterner argues that self-discipline is the key to success and happiness. He emphasizes that success comes from awareness, patience, disciplined practice, and a willingness to experiment. The author explains that our dissatisfaction often arises from unrealistic expectations and a focus on outcomes rather than the process. Comparing ourselves to others can also lead to frustration. The solution is to cultivate awareness and patience in all areas of life, resulting in greater fulfillment.
Sterner points out that humans often strive for unattainable ideals, influenced by media and marketing that depict perfect, wealthy lives. This leads to high expectations and feelings of inadequacy. Advertisements convince us that our lives are lacking without certain products, fueling this unrealistic pursuit.
Some nuggets of practical wisdom given in the book are:
- Simplify tasks and take your time to make your goals achievable; goals are guides, not destinations. 2. When your productivity wanes, use the “Do, Observe, Correct” technique. 3. Successful entrepreneurship involves overcoming limiting beliefs, not focusing on money. 4. Zen view: when we advance in our skill level it is harder to concentrate. 5. A habit is the natural way we do something. 6. We never reach a point of feeling “done” in our performance. 7. It’s important to find time to relax. 8. Remain calm, live in the present, and practice with full awareness. 9. Self-control is true power. 10. Developing patience and discipline requires both qualities. 11. Focusing on the process brings the best results. 12. Practice involves deliberate repetition with a goal; learning does not. 13. Avoid self-judgment to conserve energy. 14. Focusing on the process brings inner peace, mastery, and confidence. 15. What we remember is timeless, experienced repeatedly.
Any Friend of God is a Friend of Mine (1996)
Patrick Madrid
In “Any Friend of God is a Friend of Mine,” Patrick Madrid offers a clear, accessible addition to Catholic apologetics. The book addresses Protestant objections to Catholic beliefs about the communion of saints, intercessory prayers, and veneration of saints, which stem from sola scriptura arguments popular since the Reformation. Madrid clarifies the Catholic position, making the book useful for Catholics facing anti-Catholic rhetoric. Madrid addresses criticisms of the “communion of saints” as unbiblical or even necromancy. He argues that Christians, united through Christ, are commanded to love and pray for one another, which justifies asking saints in heaven for their intercession. He critiques the Protestant “Me and Jesus” approach, emphasizing the enduring bond among all Christians. Drawing from the Bible and Church traditions, Madrid explains the Catholic stance through four key ideas.
- The Church is Christ’s Body: Paul uses the image of the body (Romans) to describe Christian unity, emphasized throughout the New Testament by Christ.
- Christ has one Body: This includes both the living on earth and those in heaven.
- Death does not separate Christians: Christ’s victory over death maintains the bond of Christian unity, uniting Christians on earth and in heaven.
- Christians must love and serve each other: Bound by Christ’s law of charity, this love includes intercessory prayer. The Bible does not restrict this commandment to earth, and there is biblical evidence of saints interceding for us, as shown in Revelation and the Gospels. The “One Mediator” argument is refuted by noting that if asking Christians in heaven to pray for us conflicts with Christ’s mediatorship, so would asking Christians on earth.
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