Over the years, I have collected quotes from a variety of sources. Whenever I come across one, I write it down (well, type it in my phone). I keep them and turn to them whenever I need a little motivation or a reminder of those things that are important to me. Having spent the last 15 years as a member of the DeSales University faculty, five more as a student or staff member, and four years at a Salesian high school, it probably comes as no surprise that some of those quotes come from St. Francis de Sales.
The part that I have always found most challenging (by this I mean, I am left with no excuse) about St. Francis de Sales is the simplicity of his message. When I read his words, I understand them. I know what he means, and, in almost all cases, I am able to quickly identify moments in my life where those words apply to me.
For example, I do not know when I collected this one, but it is one that I have reflected on often over the last five or six months, “It is a fact that people are always well aware of what is due them. Unfortunately, they remain oblivious of what they owe others.” I am sure that, like me, you have had moments over the last several months where you were angry that you had to miss out on something that you “deserved.” Taking just a few minutes to read and reflect upon these words has helped me maintain a sense of humility by recognizing all that I am still able to do because of other people.
Another St. Francis de Sales quote that I have turned to often reads, “Worry disturbs reason and good judgment and prevents us from doing well the very things we are worried about.” As we spent the summer becoming Ready for Anything, DeSales University’s preparation for a safe campus, I willingly admit I worried I wouldn’t be ready for anything! The truth is, if I continued to allow this worry to remain top of mind, I would not have focused on preparing. However, by taking a few minutes to reflect upon this quote I could refocus my energy on preparing which lead to greater confidence that I would be ready for the days and weeks ahead. Through this time spent preparing, I also developed a deep sense of gratitude for all of those members of our community who helped make this possible.
For me, I have found the strength to move forward each day through reflection on the words of others. My hope for all of you is that you too have a source of strength upon which you are able to rely on when you need a little help.
Martin Brett, Ph.D.
DeSales University
Associate Professor & Chair, Sport Management
