A few years ago, I read something during my morning quiet time that captured the essence of my heart’s desire. I shared it on social media, partly as encouragement to others and partly as a reminder to myself. Each year, when the memory pops up, I am reminded of the kind of person I want to be.
It started with a quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: “There is a courtesy of the heart. It is akin to love. Out of it arises the purest courtesy in the outward behavior.”
The words that followed caught my attention even more.
“Courtesy of the heart may seem detached. It does not interfere with another’s decisions, give advice or seek approval. It neither plays games nor passes judgment. It does not accept guilt or make others feel guilty with questions such as, ‘Why didn’t you do it this way?’ or ‘Wh…