“You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.” ― Albert Camus
“Always go too far, because that’s where you’ll find the truth” ― Albert Camus
“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” ― Albert Camus
“Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
I have always considered myself a positive person. I attempt to see the good in people, the good result of a difficult situation, and the positive meaning behind other people’s words and actions. That is all true, but what is also true is my lack of faith, to a point, in positive outcomes. I am not cynical ,but I like most, if not all people, cringe while waiting for an outcome. The time for positive change has come.
Everything we do has a time
As a people, we have lost our faith. Religion and church are commendable, but as much as we attend services, we have not incorporated it into our lives. Everything we do has a time, place, and a certain amount of energy we give to it. If Church and religion fit into our lives or schedules, we go with it. After all, it is essential to cover our bases just in case. None of us is likely sure of the after-life. We have no proof unless we accept and have faith in other people’s versions of episodes within their lives.
It is almost sad that we are so skeptical. Our skepticism has caused us more negativity and anything but peace. It has likely aided in our doubting the words and actions of others. How many times I have heard others say, “I don’t believe anyone does anything for nothing. They only do things to make themselves look good or promote their agenda.” That is probably the most negative remark. Sadly, so many have simply lost faith in others, as well as themselves.
Fear of facing something new
Pondering why and how it happened is the issue. Many attend church, but as we also have heard, attending services does not mean you live a life of faith, love and charity. Insulting those who go to church as bad people, or insulting those who never attend is not my intention. I just think it is more important to question our attention to spiritual life deeply. Being afraid to admit we believe in an after-life is rampant. Most people will not discuss anything that cannot be understood with their five senses. The fear of facing something new is challenging. After all, we all have so many concrete problems to deal with daily. The mysterious should be left at church, which is perhaps what most of us think.
Meaning of faith
Perhaps we miss the meaning of what faith is. There certainly have been many erring spiritual people in all religions. It is no wonder so many question their faith and have compartmentalized it. As for myself, I worry that there is a higher being, and sometimes fear that there is not. I have heard it said that religion is for the masses because it keeps them in line. That is another angle to the situation.
See beyond our eyes
Religion is personal but can be prayerful and spiritual. It is stepping out of one’s comfort zone and embracing some long-forgotten faith in the goodness of mankind. Prayer can be achieved at any moment in any day. By incorporating prayer, or spiritual awakening, we are allowed to view people, places, and things in a transformed way. We see beyond what our eyes observe. We hear beyond what all of our senses are tuning into. In the process, we gain a far greater grasp of reality as we embrace the spiritual side of our being.
I find it discouraging when I hear some say that it is our imagination when we find answers from sources beyond explanation. Most of us have gotten comfortable with the computer and other technologies that satisfy our questions. Delving into the unknown and unfamiliar is terrifying to some and frightening to others. We comprehend our world, and that is enough for many of us.
Life after death
What is a truthful fact is the understanding that death comes at the end of our lives. We prefer not to ponder that too much. I feel there is a curiosity about the idea of life after death. Believing in the soul gives credibility to the theory of the soul’s ability to sustain life forever. If we accept this, then it becomes easier to live our lives fearlessly and charitably with love towards everyone. Doubting life brings anxiety into this world, due to our chained belief in our soul’s single destiny.
I watched a movie called “Faith Like Potatoes.” The main idea had to do with the fact that potatoes grow underground, and a farmer is never sure if they are growing. The notion of having faith that the potatoes are growing and will produce a crop and lead to money is the result. Perhaps faith is something like that. We tear apart every single aspect of our lives and make quick judgments. We don’t allow for bending, stretching, or belief in the results.
Answers are not transparent
Most likely, there are many twists and turns in all of our lives, which render us useless. We give up too easily, while doubt, frustration, worry, and anger take over control. Spirituality is obliterated from our lives. We become overshadowed with fear about so many outcomes. It is so difficult to view a light at the end of a tunnel. Maybe we should consider an outcome that is not what we planned but may be so much better than what we thought. All the answers are not transparent. Faith is required when we can’t see the future. Short term goals are good, but long term goals are needed along with belief.
Our souls are trying to lead us by faith and understanding that we are so much more than we can imagine. We lose sight of our power and our destiny. None of us is simply another human being. We have the potential for greater enlightenment. Our weakest links are our mind’s perception of truth and reality. Fear and worry about inconsequential issues brings jealousy, anger, competition, intolerance, unkindness, and negativity into our lives.
Develop faith in ourselves
Our faith and belief in the positive and good things in our lives delivers a deeper look at the myriad of happenings within us, and around us. We are all connected on so many levels. Having the courage to step through the confusion, brings us to the light of understanding. Leaving the doubting baggage behind us opens a new world of serenity and peace and love. We need to develop faith in ourselves and others, that we are priceless beings, capable of tremendous acts of kindness. Like the growing, unforeseen potatoes, we are growing from the inside out. Believe in yourself, your life’s meaning, your soul’s ability to grow. Most importantly, embrace your life’s purpose with integrity, confidence and courage, to make a positive impact on the world.
“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
“One problem with our current society is that we have an attitude towards education as if it is there to simply make you more clever, make you more ingenious… Even though our society does not emphasize this, the most important use of knowledge and education is to help us understand the importance of engaging in more wholesome actions and bringing about discipline within our minds. The proper utilization of our intelligence and knowledge is to effect changes from within to develop a good heart.”
― Dalai Lama XIV“We human beings are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others’ actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others’ activities. For this reason, it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
