I know I talk a lot about Qualities; I see them as both the means and the end of a true spiritual search / transformation and peace.

The beauty is that they are simple and readily understandable. The flip side is that they require faith, certitude and determination to install and to practice: ie, they (like all things of great value) require hard work.

I grow tomatoes as a serious hobby and each Spring, I plant 20 Brandywine tomatoes in a small plot – about 6 feet by 15 feet. In a few weeks the hard work begins – If I weed, spray, fertilize, water and trim – these few tomatoes will produce over 500 pounds of fruit (2 years ago I harvested 540 pounds).

If I skimp on any of the above duties the yield drops markedly. Last year I was lazy and didn’t spray my enzyme solution – also skimped on the watering – just a few times – the result – harvest of 380 lbs – big difference!

I find it’s the same way with the qualities I use or neglect. When I make the effort to practice patience, or tolerance or compassion with others in trying circumstances the results are amazing and changes occur, for the good, that I could never have imagined.

The Bible puts it nicely – Lord forgive me for I do not what I ought; and do what I ought not.