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Models of excellence
“Imagine for yourself,” said Greek philosopher Epictetus, “a character, a model personality, whose example you determine to follow, in private as well as in public.” No doubt, it’s important to appreciate our unique individuality. Yet having an ideal model of integrity we can look to—one worthy of patterning our behavior and goals after—can be a big help.
It can be pretty easy, though, to choose the wrong models. Often society or social media will offer to do the choosing for us. Some models depict human perfectionism as the ultimate objective. Others portray reckless, careless abandon of oneself and others as a most desirable standard. If we’re not humbly watchful, it can be tempting to adopt a materialistic or self-centered model for ourselves.

May 22, 2017 issue
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From the readers
Laurel G. Bracey, Madelyn Harvey
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To defeat and prevent bullying
Marsha Pecaut
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‘God is in control!’
Daniela Acosta
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Thinking about food, exercise, and a healthy body
Diane P. Dailey
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Models of excellence
Mark Swinney
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Don’t be fooled by matter’s illusion
Richard Biggs
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A first date that changed my life
Marci Martin
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An athlete prays
Jordan Strong
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Normal hearing restored
Peter Bartlett Cooper
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Healed of infertility
Bénie Mabela Ntelo
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'Peace, that speaks the heavenly Giver'
Photograph by Nancy Robison
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The law that liberates us
Tony Lobl