Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference.
John WoodenRead
How many of us have conflicts with someone else- and how many of us pray for that person? We have individuals with whom we are competitive, or whom we dislike or have a quarrel with; but very few of us have true enemies in the martial sense. And yet if Lincoln could pray fervently- and contemporary reports indicate he did- for the people who were opposing him, how much more can we do for someone we just find a little irritating?
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of compassion and understanding towards those we may not get along with.
John Wooden compares our conflicts with others to those faced by Abraham Lincoln, who, despite his political opposition, prayed for his adversaries. The quote encourages us to recognize that while we may have minor grievances with some people, we can cultivate a spirit of empathy and forgiveness, just as Lincoln did, rather than holding onto animosity.
Themes
CompassionForgivenessEmpathyRelationshipsUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting where tensions are high, this quote can be shared to encourage cooperation and support.
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