3

Do you ever speak ill of others? How do you think this

makes them feel? When others offend and hurt you, do

you react hastily, and inflame the situation? Anger is

natural in these situations, but the mature person pauses, says a

quick silent pray, and responds charitably. Friendships are worth

saving, wouldn’t you agree?

{ Friendship }

4

Dearest Ann Marie,

Each of us has time, talent, and treasure

to share with our fellow man.

I urge you to exploit your talents lest

they shrivel away, to offer your time to

charitable and civic causes, and some day

to share your treasure with those less

fortunate than you.

Love, Dad

5

Remember: All we own is on loan from God. We are

only stewards of his gifts. He expects us to take good

care of his gifts and to share them with members of

our community. Do you feel good about the way you’re cur-

rently sharing God’s gifts? If not, how can you share your gifts

with others?

{ Stewardship }

6

Dearest Ann Marie,

One of the nicest things we can do for

someone is to simply listen to him or her

and show genuine concern. So many people

listen with their own “agenda,” as if to

say, “I have something more important to

say than whatever you’re saying.”

Listening should be raised to an art form.

It is a challenging but necessary

component of “dialogue.” The first two

letters of the word—di—means two. How

can we dialogue if we don’t care to listen

to others?

Love, Dad

7

Aren’t you annoyed when you are ignored or when

no one shows an interest in what you are saying?

Think about that the next time you have the urge to

interrupt someone else. How can you be a better listener?

{ Listening }