“There is not a moment of laxness in their determination.”

“There is not a moment of laxness in their determination” means to keep on practicing diligently in one direction, towards one goal. There is no time for laxness in our practice. The body can relax a little bit, it’s alright. The mouth can relax, it’s alright. It's okay to take a break as long as the buddha-name is not interrupted in our mind. If we chant too long, we will get tired. We have to know how to adjust our body so that it is comfortable. We can chant the buddha-name, whether we stand, sit, walk, or recline. We can also chant loudly or softly, or even silently while we move our lips. In the latter, we can hear ourselves very clearly, but others cannot. Even if we chant in silence without moving our lips, it's all the same."

Commentary on the Infinite Life Sutra

"“Since Amitabha is so compassionate, why doesn’t he . . . "

If you want something done

try asking how the person would accomplish it.

Having something that needs to be done, we might ask someone for help. Perhaps a subordinate at work or a dependable friend who generously lends a helping hand when needed. Knowing the outcome we seek, we just tell the person what to do, step by step. We may feel this to be the most effective means to obtain the result we seek. But it may merely be one means out of many.

Next time, instead of just telling the person what to do, try this: explain your hoped-for end result and, very importantly, ask them how they would proceed.

This has several advantages. With their skill sets, they may come up with unique solutions, something completely new to you. They may even know others who can help. Their method can end up being faster and more efficient. Asking how they are going to do something can also bring the other person on as a partner, not merely someone given a task.

However we look at it, all those involved can come out ahead.