“It is not work that kills men but worry. Work is healthy; you can hardly put more on a man than he can bear. But worry is rust upon the blade, it is not movement that destroys the machinery but friction.” Anonymous
“There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships, and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; It is a sword that kills.” Buddha
When we fear, we are defeated. We pay a price for what might never happen. We waste the present for a conjured up future. We doubt our own ability for a brighter day. Most of us are too busy living in the future and have little time to enjoy the present. Measuring ourselves against others is a waste of time. It only encourages despondency.
It is not that we cannot measure up to others. It is simply because we perceive an answer that is truly clouded in a shroud of mystery. We are making it up as we go along. We have an others life envisioned in our minds and expanded beyond truth. We pay the price of envy and jealousy by fearing our own inabilities and destroying our own striving towards success. In effect we have given up the fight and surrendered before we began the challenge.
It can’t be said enough that life is not about winners or losers. Life is striving for complacency and peacefulness. It’s about appreciating what we possess and truly being totally happy with what we enjoy. It’s recognizing how much we received. Doing an inventory of the people we love and the things we cherish might be a reminder of how blessed and fortunate we really are.
Striving to foster more spirituality is a greater goal than reaching for more material objects. If one observes those who own a tremendous about of articles, one notices that it is never enough and those people are ruthlessly determined to acquire still more material items. Does it end? Do we ever feel content? I believe contentment is the essence of success. Those who cherish what they have are happier than those who believe they need more.
A spiritual person once said “Don’t ever let “things” own you, you should own the things.” As soon as you can’t do without some item it owns you. If you can let material things go by the wayside, then they don’t own you. Our thoughts can then reflect on a higher good and a higher self. Strive to be a better you and help others to do the same. Think of it like a boat taking on water. If we work together delegating some to empty out the water, while others row, we’ll make it to shore. Even if the rowers are stronger the ones dumping out water are priceless and needed.
If we decide we’ve done enough and that other people over there should do the job, or that either faction is not needed, then we’ll all sink. So what if we worked harder or longer or faster. We all made it safely to shore. Would it have pleased us to be swallowed up by the water? Of course not we say. Yet we compete and fear losing or not measuring up to another. Our goal must be to gain a happy spirit. Not even appreciating but recognizing just how wonderful our life actually is unites us and brings peace. and fearless life.
You will find happiness in your heart and mind. Nothing makes one happier than when they have brought it to another. If in doubt, try it and experience the result. Even if the other person was not as pleased as we expected, we will still have found the love and peace of self.
“Sometimes our candle goes out, but is blown into flame by an encounter with another human being.” Albert Schweitzer
“I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition, and not on our circumstances.” Martha Washington
“To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with.” Mark Twain
