Monday, April 14, 2014

Resume or Eulogy?

Today I was listening to David Brooks, Columnist of the New York Times today on Ted.com’s speak on society’s emphasis on our successes which are reflected in our accomplishments listed on our resumes (external virtues) versus our eulogy (internal) virtues.  Internal virtues are the consistency of our values and how they are reflected in our lives.   One he says is based on our strengths, the other on how we fight our sins or weaknesses.  But as David Brooks points out that redeeming our weaknesses or sins requires a lifetime commitment.    The external virtues are based on economics and success and the internal based on love, redemption, and return. I agree with David that far too little value is placed on the internal.  David quoted Reinhold Niebuhr in his Ted talk and I thought I should share the quote with you.

“Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope.

Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith.

Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we must be saved by love.

No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.”

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