Monday, 25 April 2011
Saturday, 23 April 2011
HOW THANKFUL CAN WE BE
A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues.
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.
Difficulties are opportunities to better things; they are stepping stones to greater experience. Perhaps someday you will be thankful for some temporary failure in a particular direction. When one door closes, another always opens. I think Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much. For on the smiles, the thanks we give, our little gestures of appreciation, our neighbors build their philosophy of life.
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.
Difficulties are opportunities to better things; they are stepping stones to greater experience. Perhaps someday you will be thankful for some temporary failure in a particular direction. When one door closes, another always opens. I think Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much. For on the smiles, the thanks we give, our little gestures of appreciation, our neighbors build their philosophy of life.
HOW CAN WE LIVE A HAPPY LIFE
INTRODUCTION:
1. Are most people happy? Dennis O. Wholey, author of Are You Happy reports that according to expert opinion, perhaps only about 20 percent of Americans are truly happy.
2. Why is it that most people are not happy? I think I may know the answer to that question.
3. People look for happiness in all the wrong places.
ILLUSTRATION:
Some time ago, a man and his son decided to find out the secret to happiness. So one day, they turned on their computer, booted up a search engine on the Internet, and typed in the words “true happiness” hoping they would find the answers.
However, after several minutes of searching, the computer said, "No documents match the search." In other words, the computer indicated that true happiness could not be found in the world.
4. The reason why most people are not happy is that they look for true happiness in worldly things. The Bible teaches that worldly things cannot bring us true happiness.
a. Money cannot bring us true happiness.
- (1 Tim. 6:6-10) "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
(1) When working, money becomes the number one priority in our lives, we will neglect God, our families, and ourselves, and it will cause us much heartache. Money does not bring us happiness, it simply provides for our needs.
ILLUSTRATION:
Jay Gould, an American millionaire, had lots of money. However, when he was dying, he said, “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.”
(2) Material possessions cannot bring us true happiness.
(3) If true happiness could be found in material possessions, then most of us in America should be delirious with joy and happiness beyond description. We should be producing books and poems that describe our state of unparalleled bliss. We should be walking around with constant smiles on our faces and telling others how happy with are.
(4) Instead, we find those who have a lot of material possessions have a high rate of divorce, suicide, depression, child abuse, and other personal and social problems beyond description. All this is surely proof that happiness in not found in material possessions.
(5) Since worldly things cannot bring us true happiness, then what does?
THIS MORNING, I WILL PRESENT THREE PRINCIPLES ON HOW WE CAN LIVE HAPPY LIVES.
I. FIRST, TO LIVE HAPPY LIVES, WE MUST GIVE OUR HEARTS TO THE LORD AND RECEIVE HIS SALVATION.
- (Isa. 12:2-6) "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
1. When we receive salvation, and deliverance from the bondage of sin, we should experience joy and happiness. Like Isaiah, we should shout aloud and sing for joy.
2. When Jesus Christ enters into our lives, we cannot help but to rejoice. Do remember what the Ethiopian Eunuch did after he gave his life to Jesus and was baptized? The Bible says that he “went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39).
ILLUSTRATION:
As a third-century man was anticipating death, he penned these last words to a friend: “It’s a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy, which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life.
They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians—and I am one of them.”
3. There is joy beyond comparison in being a Christian. Henry Ward Beecher once said, "The strength and the happiness of a man consists in finding out the way in which God is going, and going in that way too."
4. If you are a Christian, then you know the joy that I am speaking of, however, if you are not a Christian, you are missing out on the joy of life. Become a Christian this morning, and experience not only the forgiveness of your sins, but also the joy that accompanies it.
II. SECONDLY, TO LIVE A HAPPY LIVES, WE MUST FOCUS ON RIGHTEOUS THOUGHTS.
- The Bible instructs us in (1 Thess. 5:16) to “Be joyful always” and (Phil. 4:4) tells us to “rejoice in the Lord always.”
1. How can we continually be joyful?
2. Paul in (Phil. 4:8) explains to us the secret?
- "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
3. If we want happiness, we must fill our minds with lovely, pure, admirable and praiseworthy thoughts.
4. If we want to be happy, we must think happy and uplifting thoughts.
- (Proverbs 23:7) “As a man thinkest so he is.”
5. For most of us, however, our inner dialogue doesn’t consist of positive thoughts it consists of a stream of negative, critical, angry, self-blaming and defeatist thoughts. When we engage in these negative-thinking patterns, we squeeze out the joy and happiness in our lives.
ILLUSTRATION:
Harry Perry was told he was dying of leukemia, so he threw in the towel and started to act as if life was over. He quit his job, ruled out marriage, spent thousands on treatments, drank heavily, and spent most of his time alone. He was waiting to die, but he might as well have been dead already. Harry’s life was empty, even though he wasn’t dead. As a matter of act, he wasn’t even dying.
About 5 years after the initial diagnosis, another checkup showed that Harry did not have the disease. He has since then married, bought a home, and quit treatments. He feels great.
Nothing has actually changed except Harry’s attitude. When he thought he was dying, he set a course of self-destruction. When he learned he wasn’t a victim of leukemia, he set a course of happy living.
6. The application to this story is that some of us may be physically alive, however, mentally dead, meaning our negative attitudes are quenching our spiritual joy. We if want joy and happiness, then we must change our attitudes.
III. THIRD, TO LIVE HAPPY LIVES, WE MUST PURGE ANGER FROM OUR HEARTS.
ILLUSTRATION:
In the movie Forrest Gump, there was a scene that has one of the central characters, Jenny, returning to her old home after her father has died and the old farmhouse is broken-down and abandoned.
As she reflects on the sexual abuse that she endured as a child, she is overcome by rage and begins throwing rocks at the house. Jenny finally falls to the ground in exhaustion and the scene closes with Forest Gump philosophically saying, “Sometimes there just aren’t enough rocks.”
Many of us struggle with anger. It can stem from a variety of reasons and some anger seems very justifiable. Yet, unresolved anger leaves us reaching and crying out for more rocks. The rage is never satisfied and happiness squeeze out of our lives.
1. Brethren, through the power of the Spirit of God that is living in us, we can find the strength to lay down the rocks of anger and forgive those who have hurt us.
2. If you are harboring anger and bitterness against someone, then it is time to let go of it and forgive.
- (Mk. 11:25) “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
- (Eph. 4:31) “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
3. Once you let go of the anger and bitterness that has been festering up in your life, the sunshine of joy will rise up again and bring happiness back to your life.
CONCLUSION:
1. To live happy lives, we must have a relationship with the Lord, focus on righteous thoughts, and purge anger from our lives on a daily basis.
HERE ARE SOME COMMENT POSTED BY FRIENDS
30 Responses so far.
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February 7th, 2010 @ 4:29 am I can definitely relate to having something to look forward to. When you live your live day by day in a tape loop, it can make things pretty dull and depressing. For me it doesn’t have a bit a huge, life changing thing, just looking forward to meeting with friends for an afternoon can be more than enough.
February 7th, 2010 @ 6:20 am Wow. I have to mention that these tips here are very powerful. This is excellent. I can definetly see that you really did an amazing job at laying out these 7 tips carefully. I am a big fan of “flow” and use it daily in my life for beyond successful results in my persoanl activites.
February 7th, 2010 @ 11:33 am Hi Daphne,
This is so good to read! And really, reading this I feel a deep sense of happiness both for you, and within you. Daphne, this is so good to read, especially your footnote. I wish you much continued happiness. Keep dancing, sweet friend…
February 7th, 2010 @ 5:13 pm Hi Daphne – the points you describe so well are so true – Believe in Something – the Dale Carnegie quote .. if we occupy ourselves, we live life to the full much more; We need silence to listen to nature, to work through our thoughts, and as you say meditate and retreat. Work on your own terms – we do achieve so much more. TV and media are so negative and impart that into life in general – it’s not at all good.
Having something to look forward to .. essential! Hang out with friends who give you so many new ideas, laughs, thoughts – really so important in life; A “U-shaped” life .. interesting .. I can’t say I’ve found that .. but I’m happy .. I guess Sir Patrick Moore (aged 86), the astronomer, is right – he’s fine .. he doesn’t feature .. long life to us all ..
So pleased you’re happy dancing away, enjoying life and laughs with friends, going with the flow while finding the time for us! Thank you .. good to see you again … Hilary
February 8th, 2010 @ 2:01 am The “work on your terms” is interesting to me, especially your suggestion that it doesn’t mean we necessarily have to go out and start our own business. After all, not everyone was meant to be an entrepreneur. Sometimes all it takes is asking – either as part of a job offer, or as part of a performance raise negotiation – for what we want. One year, in lieu of more money, I asked for an extra week of vacation. I pointed out the bottom line cost savings to the company, and they agreed. I ended up with four weeks of vacation, which made me VERY happy.
I enjoyed reading this list – keep dancing!
February 8th, 2010 @ 3:51 am Excellent rundown.
I used to think happiness was doing nothing, then I found out it’s actually doing something. It’s got to be meaningful to you, and the secret is giving your best where you have your best to give (the secret of flow and engagement.)
February 8th, 2010 @ 6:56 am I can attest that they all work. I’ve even been quite happy in the middle even though I’m sliding out of that place.
I wonder if the middle is not happy for people because all of the changes that happen at that age.
February 8th, 2010 @ 11:24 am @ Carla,
You are an amazing person for being happy despite what your life circumstances are. Yes I agree with you that looking forward to small things is enough – for me it is lunch with a friend, making the house clean, or just getting dressed to go out… joy is in the little things. Thanks for making time to be here.
@ Baker,
Thanks for your encouraging comment, and for being able to see my attempt at putting together a coherent post. In fact I re-arranged the points a few times to get them in an order I felt would make sense and make the post flow better. I’m so pleased that someone recognises that effort. Thank you! I’m starting to like “flow” a lot too these days…
@ Lance,
As usual you bring a burst of sunshine here with your caring words. Thank you for always being here and for being such a wonderful friend. Your encouragement is very much appreciated!
February 8th, 2010 @ 11:31 am @ Hilary,
Wow you actually remembered each of the seven ways… and was able to summarise them in your comment so beautifully! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. You know how much I appreciate every minute of your time spent here, because I know what kind of demands are on you right now.
@ Megan,
Yep, not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur. Interestingly though, just over a century back we were all tradesmen and basically ran our own ‘business’ and decided our working terms. Only since industrialization did the corporate structure start to form our lives… and many today feel trapped by this. I still work for someone else but have negotiated terms I’m very happy with, without having the hassle of running my own business, so I know this is possible. Good on you too, for negotiating for that extra week of vacation… those were your terms and you got them!
@ JD,
I like your succinct phrase: “giving your best where you have your best to give” and I think this is a good guideline for anyone seeking fulfilment and happiness in life. Thanks for leaving your usual insightful comment.
@ Tess,
You have managed your life so well that I suspect you’ve been happy most of the time! Yes even the middle can be happy, since the research results work on averages and you’ve obviously beat those averages by consciously choosing to live well. You’re right that maybe the changes we go through in middle age – raising a family, or not being able to find a spouse to start a family with – all these have an impact on our happiness depending on how we choose to view and deal with these.
February 8th, 2010 @ 11:48 am “Which is partly why I’m blogging less now – I have a happy life to keep me occupied!” This is great. You sound happy! I find that spending time with friends does bring a lot of happiness into one’s life. It sometimes takes an effort to stay in touch, but it is definitely worth it.
February 8th, 2010 @ 11:03 pm Hi Daphne
Lovely to see a post on Joyful days in my Google Reader this morning – and such an uplifting one at that! I concur with all 7 points you make, but especially like the quote ‘He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.’ When you are immersed in doing something you really enjoy like your dancing, or being passionate about a business for instance, it does somehow give you a ‘toucstone’ to lift you when the ‘how’ of life gets you down. I’m really happy you’re enjoying your dancing and ‘off line’ world, but it’s always great to see a new post from you when the moment strikes to write!
All the best for now
Tamsin@nudgeme
February 10th, 2010 @ 7:44 pm I have found more meaning in my life when I started contributing my assistance and service to others. In the process, I become happier myself.
I used to think that there are many happy people out there. More recently, I realized that it is not really true. There are many who have been pretty much in pain and seeking help.
February 11th, 2010 @ 11:52 pm Hi Daphne,
I’ve read ALOT on the subject of happiness over the years, and have transformed myself from a miserable pessimist to a learned – and happy – optimist.
All of your points are very important, but if I were to single out one thing that everyone can do no matter what their current circumstances are, and would make a huge difference, it’s the one on meditation. It truly is powerful. And to add another: gratitude. Appreciation fosters happy feelings, and attracts more experiences to be grateful for – all adds to a virtuos cycle :-)
February 13th, 2010 @ 8:19 am I am a die hard optimist who leads a happy life even when I should be sad…an anomaly, I guess!
Lindsey Petersen
http://5kidswdisabilities.wordpress.com
February 16th, 2010 @ 8:45 am Yes, I believe with what you have written here. In fact, I’m applying most of them into my life. There are lot of ways to be happy, we just need to choose it rather than brood about life’s negativity. :-)
February 26th, 2010 @ 7:21 pm [...] 7 Proven Ways to Life a Happy Life [...]
March 11th, 2010 @ 3:59 pm @ Hilda,
I loved the way your described your transformation to a ‘learned optimist’ and can relate – I’m still learning but am much more of an optimist than I used to be. And I agree that meditation is under-rated. There is much power and peace in that simple practice. On gratitude, I once read that ‘the only prayer is gratitude’ because as you said, with gratitude you end up getting almost everything you want in a beautiful virtuous cycle.
@ Lindsey,
You’re an amazing person, and a wonderful example to the human race of just how much we are capable of. I’m sure in your position I wouldn’t be as happy, and admire you for being happy no matter what life throws your way!
@ Walter,
Great to know you’re already applying some of this to your life. You’re so right that it’s all about choice.
March 20th, 2010 @ 6:38 pm What a great list. I am especially drawn to number 2 as I am incorporating more silence and quiet time into my life at present. In our world where there seems to be so much ‘rushing’ it is nice to take even a few moments regularly during the day to reconnect.
April 5th, 2010 @ 12:30 pm Nice list,I love the 1st one very much.
Work for it, die for it!
Yeah! find something we believe and make it happen!!
Thanks for sharing.
April 6th, 2010 @ 3:14 pm Hey Tzong Yih,
Glad you like the list. You’re so right that finding something we can believe in, day after day, is so important to give us a reason to wake up every morning. Thanks for commenting!
April 6th, 2010 @ 10:41 pm Daphne,
Wow,give us a reason to wake up every morning!
Yeah, we need it and I love it!
hehe..
You are most welcome.
April 8th, 2010 @ 9:07 am Tzong Yih,
And you give me a reason to check my blog every day, just to see enthusiastic, supportive comments like yours. Thanks again, very much!
April 8th, 2010 @ 9:36 am You’re most welcome.
Let’s waking up happily…
:)
April 17th, 2010 @ 11:56 am Thanks tzongyih for introducing this great blog and sharing of Daphne.
It’s great, believe on something…
September 2nd, 2010 @ 1:10 pm The First point is what my wife always got. Absolute faith in God and definitely she is more happier than me since she studies religious scriptures of Ancient Wisdom and follows it. So now understand that it is not limited to India and it is Universal.
I fully endorse “be your own boss” to be happy.
Rarely one come across such wonderful site with wonderful comments. Keep up and continue the nice work.
Even going across such nice things like this site, one tends feel happy naturally.
September 2nd, 2010 @ 1:43 pm Dear Purush,
Thank you for your kind comment, and for sharing about your wife’s faith in God. It’s true that people with strong faith tend to be happier!
I appreciate your encouraging words very much.
Daphne
December 29th, 2010 @ 3:38 pm really nice :)
loved it :)
January 7th, 2011 @ 6:14 pm check it
March 8th, 2011 @ 11:55 am nice!!!
April 12th, 2011 @ 12:08 pm
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Past Discussions For " Living our Life To The Fullest" (49 Responses)
Shall digest through and see which one is applicable.
What a brilliant post! It’s almost like one big checklist based on everything you teach in your ebook and on the blog here.
I am interested in the September challenge too :-)
Glenn
this and reading it again and hoping to use it as a check-list or tool to make changes in my life and
activities
Thanks again! :-D
I’m looking forward to following your 30-day challenge in September.
Best,
Christopher
It was a nice article to read and hats-off to you.
However I would suggest the article to be Self-Contained rather than pointing to various other links.
Regards,
Arunachalam
I so agree with
“Discover your passion in life. What sets you on fire? Go out there (and explore inward) to know what you love to do.”
Passion is like living the real life.. Without passion, life sucks
Cheers,
Amit
I love your enthusiasm and energy :wink: . Looking forward to join 30-day challenge.
Keep writing and support people much.
Thank you
I’ll have a go at it :-D
My greatest hope is that I can not only discover and experience ways to live life to the fullest, but to share useful insights with others. Thank you for the inspiration…I look forward to the Challenge and sharing new experiences!
In your articles about relationships and the above lists there are many ways you address we should take mathers in our own hands, and I get inspiration from many of your articles. That’s why I like #2 right in the beginning of the list, maybe you should put it at #1. ALLWAYS BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.
Great list lol hahaha! i love this it really helps!!!!!! umm..am single don’t wanna mingle. thanks for sharing and keep the good work up! :-D
What a brilliant post! It’s almost like one big checklist based on everything you teach in your ebook and on the blog here.
I am interested in the Coming challenge too …….
Sushil Sharma
I love to read all your posts when I’m studying
Coz it can boost my motivation
Very helpful and I really love this one!!!
wish me luck for my coming final exam
:wink: :wink: :wink:
<3
I love the way you embrace life.
I am one of the many who are struggling to find their purpose. Recently, could be before two years, I have come to experience that I am a promising Author.
Therefore, what advise you could offer?
BEST WISHES,
Berhane
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