“The habit of being happy enables one to be freed, or largely freed, from the domination of outward conditions.” Robert Louis Stevenson
Substitute “thing” with what you want . . . .
A few months ago, I was in hot pursuit of something that I valued tremendously. I constantly told myself that if only I were to get that thing I wanted then I would be happy. It made so much sense. I know how big this thing was and I knew that it made others happy when they got it so it must be the source of their happiness. I envisioned myself with this thing and it made me happy.
Well, as fortune would have it, I actually obtained that thing I so wanted. And surprisingly to me, I was relieved, grateful, peaceful, but not comparatively happier.
After reflecting on this phenomenon, I came to the self-reflective conclusion that the state of my heart had not changed and it wouldn’t change no matter how implausible the thing I wanted. In other words, I could have won the lottery, a new pair of skis, received a 4.0 and it would not have made a difference on my heart. Sure, after obtaining this very good thing, I felt an alliviance of pressure off my shoulders, I felt peaceful and grateful but the state of my heart had stayed the same.
How ever you are happy now, will dictate how happy you are then. You must find a more constant source of happiness. You decide to be happy now. Good or bad may come and it may come hard and fast. Other things may change but your heart will stay the same.
“Obviously there is a great difference between feeling happy at a given moment and being happy for a lifetime, between having a good time and leading a good life.” James Faust
“I may not be able to eliminate pornographic trash, but my family and I need not buy or view it. I may not be able to close disreputable businesses, but I can stay away from areas of questioned honor and ill repute. I may not be able to greatly reduce the divorces of the land or save all broken homes and frustrated children, but I can keep my own home a congenial one, my marriage happy, my home a heaven, and my children well adjusted. I may not be able to stop the growing claims to freedom from laws based on morals, or change all opinions regarding looseness in sex and growing perversions, but I can guarantee devotion to all high ideals and standards in my own home, and I can work toward giving my own family a happy, interdependent spiritual life. I may not be able to stop all graft and dishonesty in high places, but I myself can be honest and upright, full of integrity and true honor, and my family will be trained likewise. I may not be able to insure family prayers, home evening, meeting attendance, and spiritual, well-integrated lives in all my neighbors, but I can be certain that my children will be happy at home. They will grow strong and tall and realize their freedom is found at home, in their faith, in clean living, and in opportunity to serve. As Christ said, “And the truth shall make you free.” No virtues in the perfection we strive for are more important than integrity and honesty. Let us then be complete, unbroken, pure and sincere, to develop in ourselves that quality of soul we prize so highly in others.” Spencer W. Kimball
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we subconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Marianne Williamson
ReplyDeleteI can see things like this at work in my life, too. Happiness comes from a state of being, from how we live our lives and how that makes us feel about ourselves and our relation to Deity. Not from what it helps us obtain materially or physically. Those things come to those who deserve them. And when they come we can only thank God we were blessed enough to receive them. Sweet post, man.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what trials we will traverse, no matter what actions of others may affect our own lives, we choose to be happy. We are the owners of our happiness, we decide by our actions whether we want happiness in our lives or to remove it completely. Personally I always believe there is happiness out there to be grasped and held onto. The Lord sent us here to be happy, to have trials and challenges, yes, but they are here to help us savor the sweetness of joy.
ReplyDelete--Happy
I enjoyed reading the articles and food for thought.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work.
I pray that the work you have started will continue and bless the lives of many Russian orphans.
Evelyn