Perspective
If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’ll bet they’d live a lot differently….When you look into infinity, you realize that there are more important things that what people do all day.
~ Calvin and Hobbes
Lo
The outcome of purposeful living
Something to think about…
Think about all of the components that go into creating a glowing campfire. There is the pit that must be dug in order to contain the fire. There are the sticks of varying sizes that must be gathered together and organized in the pit. And then there is the spark from a match that is needed to ignite the sticks. From this creation of a campfire are many by-products: something that cooks food, something that warms the body, something that produces an exquisite aroma, and something that provides light in the darkness.
Happiness an be seen in much the same way. It is a by-product of all of the positive and enjoyable things you gather together each day. It is the effort you exert into seeking the treasures of life. And it is the spark you add to your day-to-day existence.
Happiness is an outcome of the effort you put into life. It exists in the harmonious relationships you create, in the sense of purpose that awakens you in the morning, and in the feeling of connection to all of life.
Remember that happiness is not something to strive for; rather, it is something you create. It is the outcome of purposeful living.
Source (modified): Morning Light | Amy E. Dean | Hazelden Meditations
barnesandnoble.com/w/morning-light-amy-dean/1100184642
Hold on
Whatever you do, hold on. The blessing is just around the corner.
via FB: Put a Smile on My Face
A little spark of kindness
A little spark of kindness can put a colossal burst of sunshine into someone’s day.
~ Author Unknown
Something to think about…
“One receives only that which is given. The game of life is a game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds, and words, return to us sooner or later, with astounding accuracy.”
~ Florence Scovel Shin
Each of us can attest to the truth of this passage. During the difficult times, however, it is not uppermost in our minds that “what goes around, comes around.” It feels all too easy to be justifiably resentful or to gossip or to ignore another’s presence. And the repercussions are seldom immediate. They will come, though.
Goodness is likewise repaid. Giving love, attention, and respect to the individuals who share our lives and to the people who cross our paths by chance will smooth our own passage day by day. The effects of our goodness will often be felt quickly. A smile elicits a smile. Kind thoughts bless us as well as the receiver. Life events do come full circle.
With a bit of effort, I can smile at someone today, even though I’m frowning inside. Both will be better for it.
Source (modified): Each Day a New Beginning | Hazelden Meditations
barnesandnoble.com/w/each-day-a-new-beginning-karen-casey/1101316704
Good friends
Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they’re always there.
~ Author Unknown
via FB: Quotes Central
Today flows from yesterday
The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday.
~ Steve Mariboli
Something to think about…
Today flows from yesterday, the day before, the day before that. Tomorrow repeats the pattern. What we are given on any one day will have its beginning in the past and its finale in the future. No incident is isolated entirely; no issue is self-contained.
Maturity is being able to let go of outgrown attitudes, stifling opinions, no matter how good and right they were at one time. Our egos often get too attached to some of our opinions, and new ideas can’t filter in. Some will try to get our attention today. We are ready for new growth. The choice not to hamper it is ours to make.
The opinions we held certain yesterday may not be adequate to the problems of today. They need not be. They served us well. They are not for naught.
Source (modified): Each Day a New Beginning | Hazelden Meditations
barnesandnoble.com/w/each-day-a-new-beginning-karen-casey/1101316704
Unique gifts and talents
The unique gifts and talents each of us contribute to the world add dimension and color to the rich tapestry we call life.
~ Janet S. Dickens
All of us have unique talents and gifts. Believing this fully is difficult at times; for some of us, most of the time. But it is true. What each of us can contribute to the world is unlike every other contribution. Each talent is slightly different from every other talent. And they are all needed. We are all needed.
Creativity — any kind — writing, photography, cooking, child care, weaving, managing, woodworking — nourishes the self that feels isolated and worthless. And as the self is nourished, it grows; it recovers.
Recovery means changing our lifestyle. It means reaching out to others and being there for one another. It means rejoining the human race by giving of ourselves. Our talents are the gifts the human race awaits — needs, in fact. Do we know our talents?
Source (modified): Each Day a New Beginning | Hazelden Meditations
barnesandnoble.com/w/each-day-a-new-beginning-karen-casey/1101316704
To understand and be understood
The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.
~ Ralph G. Nichols
Something to think about…
Our experiences educate us to help show each other the way. Others’ experiences, likewise, will help still others. We need to share our histories. There is no greater honor we can give one another than rapt attention. We each want to be heard, to be special, to be acknowledged. And recognition may well be the balm that will heal someone’s hurt today.
A new day faces us, a day filled with opportunities to really listen to someone who needs to be heard. And the surprise is that we will hear a message just right for us, where we are now. A message that may well point us in a new, better direction. Guidance is always at hand, if only we listen for it. But when we are trapped in our own narrow world of problems and confusion, we scramble whatever messages are trying to reach us. And we miss the many opportunities to make another person feel special and necessary to our lives.
Source (modified): Each Day a New Beginning | Hazelden Meditations
barnesandnoble.com/w/each-day-a-new-beginning-karen-casey/1101316704
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