Thought For the Day: Perfectionism Is the Enemy of Creation, As Extreme Self-Solitude Is the Enemy of Well-Being

“Perfectionism is the enemy of creation, as extreme self- solitude is the enemy of well- being.” – John Updike

Posted in Thought For the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Budget Should Be Balanced Not By More Taxes, But By Reduction of Follies

The budget should be balanced not by more taxes, but by reduction of follies.”– Herbert Hoover

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thought For the Day: St. Patrick’s Day… Serves As A Time For People of Irish Descent From All Traditions and Religions To Honor Their Native Land and Shared Heritage

“On this day, millions of people…throughout the world will gather to commemorate the life of Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. From his days as a slave in Ireland to his work as missionary years later, St. Patrick demonstrated a courage, commitment, and faith that won the hearts and minds of the Irish people. St. Patrick’s Day also serves as a time for people of Irish descent from all traditions and religions to honor their native land and shared heritage. Their devotion to family, faith, and community has strengthened our country’s character.” – George W. Bush

Something like one in six Americans has Irish heritage. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all!!

Posted in Thought For the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Happiness of Your Life Depends Upon the Quality of Your Thoughts

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All the Noise In Rome

All the Noise In Rome
by Michael Doyle

How then does one complete this?
A dome must be in place for completeness.
A thousand crazed ideas are heard in a jumble,
But only one is stated with deafening meekness.

There is only one way to refine
The majestic path focused on the divine.
Gazing on the riddle beyond compare
Requires completion in mid-air.

Though hearts on fire will not relent,
This is the answer to time well spent.
Gazing on the magnificent dome,
And shutting out all the noise of Rome.

There is not one dome but two.
The supporting dome is hidden from view.
While the other is made of delicate herringbone,
And the only one that appears to stand alone.

Such choices are made by faith and from love.
What greater symbol to show faith in the above.
And so one of the greatest works of architectural art,
Depended that day on a leap of faith in De Medici's heart

Greatness received depends on the greatness given,
And the acceptance of any needed forgiveness given.
We learn our place through such spiritual tools.
Otherwise, we would remain as simple fools.

Making work projects to the benefit of spirituality
Is destined, in part, to build a model economy.
Feeding the hungry on ideas as thin as air
Is like one hand blessing the other until all is repaired.

Faith and beauty provide the way
For leaders and heroes to save the day,
While some only know the destruction of war,
The believers dare for that impossible something more.

We live in the climb out of the muck by humanity,
To learn of beauty and strive for our nobility.
Our common life teaches us to dress in humility
For all of this was given to us by the Divinity.

(c) March 16, 2026 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
Posted in Poetry and Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thought For the Day: Think Before You Speak. Is It True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind?

“THINK before you speak. Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind?” – Alan Redpath

Posted in Thought For the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: We Have Staked the Future of All Our Political Constitutions Upon the Capacity of Each of Ourselves To Govern Ourselves According To the Moral Principles of the Ten Commandments

“We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments.” – James Madison

Today is the anniversary of President James Madison’s birth!

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Meditation On the Boanerges

Mediation On the Boanerges 
by Michael Doyle

Sometimes we feel the fire
Wishing harshness to the wire.
The Sons of Thunder felt this frustration,
Impassioned to spread zeal across their nation.

No, it's not a bad thing,
To live life with a bit of zing,
Not lukewarm but filled with emotion.
Passion drives courage and devotion.

Not going through motions, but filled with joy -
Like evangelism's urges at the ready to deploy.
This is a rescue mission to save souls.
The fire inside is what best consoles.

Followers aligned with God's heart
Is what we see from glory's start.
Imperfection isn't such a bad thing,
And you and I are to live with zing.

If you feel your thunder, you're in good company,
Like some of the best in the disciples and family.
But never be distracted by life's disturbing noise.
There is resolution among the thunderous girls and boys.

Some on life's road will find Jesus rejected.
Or at best, we might find faith neglected.
We must patiently wait for the chance to save.
It's just how it is, this side of the grave.

At times along the way, God will offer correction.
It is ours to correct course in the right direction.
All the good that we will and can ever do
Depends on keeping the fire with every chance to pursue.

There are times we'll move on to get our move on.
Jesus will direct us s to what to improve on.
Never mind thoughts of shame that can create a break.
We cannot be held back by our last mistake.

As long as we are human, errors will come our way.
These come to teach us forward to our new day.
Always move toward the path of our redemption.
There's no need for sorrow or retaliation.

There is only the need to move on in God's grace,
Knowing God's love and living in His embrace.
Thunderous enthusiasm will always lead the way.
To love, and love is the essence of our Christian day.

(c) March 15, 2026 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
Posted in Poetry and Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thought For the Day: Patience Is the Companion of Wisdom

“Patience is the companion of wisdom.” – St. Augustine

Posted in Thought For the Day | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Humble Yourselves Before the Lord, and He Will Lift You Up

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment