humility, tiger woods, meditation, penance, and remember...always carry a rosary!

By Peter Mirus ( bio - articles - email ) | Feb 23, 2010

It’s been a pretty busy last couple of weeks at the office for me, so I’ve been remiss in composing a full length blog entry. However, here are some ideas that are worth putting out there, but probably not worth a full article!

First: I’ve been rereading In the Steps of Humility by St. Bernard of Clairvaux. This is an excellent read, particularly during Lent. It is a commentary on the seventh chapter of the Rule of St. Benedict. In the Steps of Humility, along with Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales, will probably be the two that I keep going back to over, and over, and over again—unless I become perfect before I die. Not likely.

Second: If there is no such thing as a good God and sexual morality, then what Tiger Woods did isn’t wrong. I wish all of the “analysts” who have commented on the Woods situation over the past months would spend a few minutes analyzing that. Otherwise, Woods just wasn’t being nice because what he did caused pain to other people. Why is that wrong? Um, nobody really wants to speculate—but it IS wrong! It IS! (We’re not sure why.)

Third: I find it beneficial to meditate on the Joyful mysteries during the season of Lent (not all the time, but some of the time). For example, reflecting on the Nativity, in light of the passion and death of Christ, for me is very spiritually helpful.

Fourth: We can certainly become acclimated to our chosen penance(s) during Lent. For example, after the first two weeks you don’t miss chocolate quite so much—and then what? (Of course, some of us never stop missing chocolate.) In any case, a friend of mine told me that the most difficult Lent for her was the one for which she wrote all kinds of different sacrifices down on slips of paper, and then “drew from the hat” every day during Lent. She never knew what sacrifice she was going to get. On top of that, a new one every day—no time to “get used to it”! I might try this next year.

Fifth, and finally: The best piece of business advice ever given to me: carry a rosary in your pocket at all times. I have a slender metal and stone rosary that goes into my pocket every morning, along with my business card case and my pen. Best move I make all day.

Peter Mirus is a business, marketing, and technology consultant with more than 20 years of experience working with companies and nonprofits, ranging from start-ups to large international organizations. From 2004-2014 he contributed articles on the Catholic Faith, culture, and business to the CatholicCulture.org website.

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• Posted by: dschenkjr9859 - Feb. 27, 2010 8:11 AM ET USA

  I agree with the idea of carrying a rosary. What I can't figure out is how a rosary goes into the pocket untangled and often comes out with a knot that takes a minute or so to undo. How does that happen?

• Posted by: leila - Feb. 25, 2010 11:36 AM ET USA

  Good post, Peter!