Here is a good prayer: "Lord, keep me from the habit of thinking that I must say something on everything, on every occasion. Release me from the craving to straighten out other people's affairs. Keep my mind free from endless detail; give me wings to get to the point. Give me grace to listen to the recital of other's tribulations. Seal my lips against my own aches and pains."

Thoughts by the late Rev. Paul Osumi are selected weekly by his family.