Sunday, December 19, 2010

FOR A BETTER WAY TO LIVE (RULE SEVENTEEN)



For a Better Way to Live

Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness I s a perfume you cannot pour on other without getting a few drops on yourself.

Ok. You have the question “how to be really really happy?” The answer is “it's all up to you!” No hurt feelings because I have to tell you even the most illustrious and most mentally favored philosopher in the world doesn't have an answer to that – or at least doesn't have a specific answer on how you would be happy with your life.

Aristotle just said “happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” So where is the answer to that?

Socrates himself leaves one of the most quoted quotable quotations in the world “know thy self.” But Socrates left us hanging in the mid-air searching and wondering for the unfinished part of the “book.” The statement is so plane and easy as eating an apple pie but is so imperatively persuasive that you'll be pushed to the edge to look for the answer to the statement – because the more you know yourself, the more that you'll be happy.

They said it's money, but this has been a perennial fact and argument that money is hell to others. So that's not money (alone). They said friends will make you happy, yeah, they will. But there are those individuals who have a lot of friends lurking and spawning around but cannot appreciate it. So, who and how you gonna make yourself happy?

There are lots of premises about this but I have to make it simple – happiness is within you! Because happiness is a feeling. Happiness is not like a fly-away butterfly that will only make you happy once you caught it into a net. Happiness is within yourself it's up to you to stir it up. Don't oblige others to make you happy – it's not their responsibility. God has given you the responsibility to be happy. Don't even oblige God to make you happy – or else – that won't work certainly. God has planted within ourselves that seed of happiness. Now you have to cultivate it.

Others think, to be happy is so expensive, that is why they surround themselves with astounding wealth, mansions, luxury cars, casinos and lots of night-outs and fat checks. Others think also that these things won't make them happy – so they remain in poverty – and so neither they are happy! Perhaps, both of them are missing the point. Perhaps, both of them are busy catching butterflies in the wild.

Happiness is a feeling, an emotion, a perception and a reaction. All of them are all pressed down into your heart. There is no emotion, perception or whatsoever in diamonds, money, mansions, cars because again man is the measure of all things. The happiness you feel depends upon the way you measure things around you.

The problem is that because of our self-made hectic fast switching society our sense of emotional, mental and personal well-being have been left behind and we are fast getting ahead of ourselves. We have forgotten to give values to small but significant details of our lives. We have forgotten the basic instruction that an 8-hour sleep is essential to our happiness. We have forgotten that a basic respect and “thank you” to whoever gave us favor is basic to our happiness. We have forgotten that a little is better than nothing at all. We have forgotten that sharing is fundamental to happiness.

Happiness is like facing a mirror; happiness cannot help but be reflected back to you. If you smile, the mirror smiles back at you. If you give, the mirror gives back at you. That is all the same with the opposite.

If I could suggest something to make you happy it is no other than sharing. If you have already found the fountain of happiness then the pinnacle of what we call happiness is when you let others get wet with that fountain of happiness you've found.

Finally, at Og's last Rule I'd like to share a brainchild by George Carlin of how we are missing a lot about life -and happiness!

And at the culmination of this book review I pray that your life will be prospered by God cause this is how your life is meant to be.

God bless you!


THE PARADOX OF OUR TIME

“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, (or just never mind).

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

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