Tag Archives: self-improvement

The Winter of Our Discontent

Posted on March 19, 2026 by mitchteemley

The view from my office window I Spend a Lot of Time… …admiring the view from my window, while accomplishing very little. I did capture this lovely image, however–and a rather unlovely metaphor to go with it: I’ve spent too … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 55 Comments

Be the Change You Want to See

Posted on March 9, 2026 by mitchteemley

Photo by Aaron Burden Thought for the Week The phrase “be the change you want to see” has been attributed to many people. But in one form or another it’s been around for as long as anyone can remember. Why? … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 54 Comments

Why You Need to Own Your Errors

Posted on November 10, 2025 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week “Admit your mistakes,” is hardly the motto of our current culture. If anything, it’s the opposite. Being exposed for having ever been anything other than what one claims to be can mark the end of a … Continue reading →

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Warning: Prayer Is Dangerous!

Posted on September 28, 2025 by mitchteemley

I asked God for advice, and he said, “OK. Change.” I replied, “No, no, there you go again misunderstanding my requests!” Warning: If you ask God for guidance, he’s going to tell you to change. This is why prayer is so … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Are All Christians Hypocrites?

Posted on March 24, 2025 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week “I don’t go to church because churches are full of hypocrites!” This is an increasingly common sentiment. But is it true? Are churches full of hypocrites? Duh. Are AA meetings full of alcoholics? I’m a Christian, … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 81 Comments

Don’t Let Your Habits Form You

Posted on March 3, 2025 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week It took a while to break them in. But I finally did. And by now they were the most comfortable shoes I’d ever owned. So I wore them longer than any shoes I’d had before. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

New Year’s Resolutions: Two Weeks Later

Posted on January 12, 2025 by mitchteemley

Resolution (with apologies to the Beatles): “You say you made a resolution, well, you know, We all want to change our ways, But to really be a resolution, well, you know, It’s got to last more than twelve days.” About … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Do You Have Mixed Motives?

Posted on October 7, 2024 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week Honestly? If it weren’t for mixed motives I’d have no motives at all. True, I’m an idealist. I want (earnest cliché alert) to make the world a better place. But I’m also a hopeless egoist, and no … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 33 Comments

“They” Are Us

Posted on July 15, 2024 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week We love to see the privileged taken down. That’s our way with idols: first we worship them, then we grind them down to make new gods. Does anyone have a get-out-of-scandal-free card? Yes, the poor and … Continue reading →

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How to Keep a Life Journal

Posted on March 27, 2024 by mitchteemley

Two days ago in Why You Should Keep a Life Journal I argued that journaling offers both immediate and future benefits. Here are seven suggestions on how to attain those benefits: Set aside a regular time, but only write when you … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 45 Comments