Dedication is an interesting idea. The word dedicate comes from Latin through Middle English and refers to the idea of declaring or consecrating something. It is not the etymology, however, that interests me. The English definition is "to devote wholly and earnestly." Most of us understand what it means to be devoted wholly but earnestly, which is less understood, refers to ideas such as seriousness, depth of feeling, and sincerity. To be dedicated to something or someone means, therefore, to be entirely devoted in a deep, serious, and sincere way.
In religion, dedication often refers to the setting apart of a building for sacred purposes. If a building is dedicated to the Lord, for example, it becomes a special place where one acts differently than one would elsewhere. Usually this includes greater reverence and respect in general, greater focus of thoughts and acts, and greater dedication toward the principles that the Lord teaches. This comes not only from tradition but also from the teachings of the Lord that we should act that way in such places.
Husbands and wives are considered dedicated to each other. A husband is dedicated to his wife and a wife is dedicated to her husband. This should affect the way they act toward each other. There should be a reverence and a respect in the marriage. A focus on one's spouse should develop so that thoughts and acts and goals and plans include one's spouse both literally and in effect.
Cecil B. DeMille said, "Most of us serve our ideals by fits and starts. The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication." Calm, quiet, and continual dedication to something will always bring success. If it is some goal of personal development we seek, it will come. If it is some relationship we seek to strengthen, it will come (as long as both halves of the relationship have the same level of dedication). If there is any goal which you seek to obtain, dedicate yourself to it with the fullest extent of what that means - depth, sincerity, focus, seriousness, etc. - and you will achieve what it is that you desire. It usually does not involve some great flaming ball of fire streaking across your personal sky. Rather, it involves steady, calm, and continual focus in the choices one makes throughout the weeks, months, and years that brings the success.
May we all be dedicated to principles of goodness!
In religion, dedication often refers to the setting apart of a building for sacred purposes. If a building is dedicated to the Lord, for example, it becomes a special place where one acts differently than one would elsewhere. Usually this includes greater reverence and respect in general, greater focus of thoughts and acts, and greater dedication toward the principles that the Lord teaches. This comes not only from tradition but also from the teachings of the Lord that we should act that way in such places.
Husbands and wives are considered dedicated to each other. A husband is dedicated to his wife and a wife is dedicated to her husband. This should affect the way they act toward each other. There should be a reverence and a respect in the marriage. A focus on one's spouse should develop so that thoughts and acts and goals and plans include one's spouse both literally and in effect.
Cecil B. DeMille said, "Most of us serve our ideals by fits and starts. The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication." Calm, quiet, and continual dedication to something will always bring success. If it is some goal of personal development we seek, it will come. If it is some relationship we seek to strengthen, it will come (as long as both halves of the relationship have the same level of dedication). If there is any goal which you seek to obtain, dedicate yourself to it with the fullest extent of what that means - depth, sincerity, focus, seriousness, etc. - and you will achieve what it is that you desire. It usually does not involve some great flaming ball of fire streaking across your personal sky. Rather, it involves steady, calm, and continual focus in the choices one makes throughout the weeks, months, and years that brings the success.
May we all be dedicated to principles of goodness!
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