Sunday, April 27, 2014

NO SUBSTITUTE FOR HAPPINESS

There is no substitute for happiness, nor does there need to be. Because happiness, peace, contentment and fulfillment are there for the living of them. You can fill your life with excitement and thrills, but those things on their own will not make you happy. You can load yourself up with material possessions, yet they are no substitute for being genuinely happy. Happiness is not something for which you must wait until the conditions are right. And happiness is not something that the right conditions, on their own, can ever bring you. Happiness is not just for a lucky few. It is for anyone who chooses to live and to express it. Happiness is not a selfish pursuit. Indeed, your genuine happiness brings value not only to you, but to those around you as well. You need no reason to be happy, and there is no reason that happiness can be withheld from you. Choose happiness, and choose to live each moment with the joy that is surely here.

HARMONY

Harmony does not mean that everyone is in agreement. It means that no one is attempting to force his or her opinions on others. Harmony does not mean that everyone is the same. It means that everyone respects and tolerates and even celebrates the differences that give so much richness to life. Harmony is not ever achieved by brute force. Harmony is reached when every individual understands, on his or her own terms, that it is by far the most effective way to live. Harmony does not come about through intimidation or scolding or threats of punishment. Harmony is reached through understanding. Harmony cannot exist where people are interested only in what they can take. Harmony is built through giving. Harmony comes not by giving in or by being weak or by surrendering one’s most treasured principles, or by the cowardly attempt to control others. Harmony is the domain of those who are confident enough in their own lives to allow others to peacefully flourish.

MIRROR

The good you find in others, is in you too. The faults you find in others, are your faults as well. After all, to recognize something you must know it. The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well. The beauty you see around you, is your beauty. The world around you is a reflection, a mirror showing you the person you are. To change your world, you must change yourself. To blame and complain will only make matters worse. Whatever you care about, is your responsibility. What you see in others, shows you yourself. See the best in others, and you will be your best. Give to others, and you give to yourself. Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful. Admire creativity, and you will be creative. Love, and you will be loved. Seek to understand, and you will be understood. Listen, and your voice will be heard. Teach, and you will learn. Show your best face to the mirror, and you’ll be happy with the face looking back at you.


BEAUTY


Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful. Give joy, and you will be joyful. Offer fulfillment, and you will be fulfilled. Even in the most painful times -- especially in the painful times -- absorb and enjoy the beauty that is around you. There is no virtue in keeping yourself miserable. Always, there is beauty to be found, and it is yours to enjoy. Drink in the beauty that is around you, and you’re able to give joy to others. Be thankful for the beauty and abundance of life, and it will grow. When you look for beauty you will find it, even in the most difficult circumstances. And that is when you need it most. Remember, life can be beautiful, and it will be if only you will let it be.