Thankfully, life is largely a mind game. We live in our heads. And because of this, we can create our own reality.
Life literally is what we make it. I tell myself I'm a super nice billionaire that just happens to like the simple things in life. I walk through the park and tell myself that I own it. I have the gardeners cut the grass, and I even had a trail built just for me.
I'm such a nice guy though that I share my land freely with everybody. As a thank you, they wanted to build a statue of me but I told them no. How would life be different if it were true?
The power to this lies in non materialism. Saying no to things. Being content with what you have. Living a simple life. Not wanting the fancy car or phone. Not wanting the trip to Hawaii. Not wanting fame, fortune or even love. Not wanting. Just accept things for the way they are. Most things are over rated anyways.
Realize life outside your head is largely outside of your control. Other people decide your circumstances. If you get hired, fired, promoted, demoted, arrested or let go, it all depends on someone else. Life blesses some of us and not others. The only thing you can do is be the best person you can be, and trust that God is bringing you on a certain path for a reason.
Let love be your guiding principle. If you call yourself a nice person, act like one. Do something to improve the lives of those around you. Kiss your loved ones. Shovel your neighbor's driveway. Give away baking. Whatever your skill is, try to share it. Don't let money drive your actions. Be the opposite of bankers.
(Left, St Francis, patron saint of animals) Improving the lives of others isn't limited to humans. Be kind to animals, it won't cost you anything and it will make you feel great. Patting the dog is good for both you and the dog. Even if you don't have pets, feeding birds can give you a feeling of joy. Have a strong faith in God, and live like God is watching you. Your actions are important, even if no one seems to notice. It matters to God what you do. And it matters to us what we do too, whether we admit it or not. Live an immoral life, and you won't feel good about yourself.
Listen to what your conscience, heart and gut have to say. God talks to us through feelings. The more in tune you are with your soul, the more God can direct you in life. When your actions match your thoughts, then there is congruency in your life, and congruency leads to less stress and better health.
Be grateful for what you have. Everyday. Value your free time, and develop a life outside of work. If you knew you were going to be imprisoned, or a natural disaster was going to wipe you out, how would you make the most of your time you had left? Live like that's the case. Value your moments with loved ones. Value all moments you're not in extreme pain.
Be conscious of what's around you.The more we focus on ourselves, the more we are prone to be depressed. You can't be grateful if you don't notice things. Admire the beauty and appreciate the kindness in the world.
Look for, and accept, the truth. Not only will it help you not focus on yourself, but, it can help you make sense of the world. The rock of truth is something stable one can cling to in uncertain times.
And lastly, be your own best friend. Practice self discipline. Don't watch TV. Don't smoke. Don't have any habits that are destructive. Instead strive to improve yourself. Eat healthy, take naps, exercise, and don't use negative self talk.
Be kind to others and yourself. Give yourself credit for getting yourself this far. After all, we are just mere humans.
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Henry David Thoreau: I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavour. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts." -
New First Comment- from Bly Guy
Hi Henry, commenting on the happiest person you know post, I am that person amongst my group. I am the person in my huge group of friends and family that is rarely in anything other than a good mood and they notice that and wonder how the 'crazy conspiracy guy' in the family is somehow the happiest and most balanced. They especially wondered this when my sister, who I was very close with, passed away 4 years ago.
The simple answer is found at the bottom of the rabbit hole where one discovers we are not the meat suit, that our real selves is our consciousness/soul/spirit. That we are eternal by nature, death and this "reality" are illusory, that love is the only truth. Life is a whole lot easier and enjoyable when one comes to this truth.
Fear or love, the choice is simple. I chose love, most of my loved ones are still choosing fear unfortunately.
MS said (May 10, 2019):
Wow Henry. This is the real thing. Your latest Article showed me, that I really Do the right Stuff, when it comes to Christianity. There are so many fakes out there, I just can't believe that I had to wait for such a long time, until you, one of my beloved Grandmasters , for the first Time, tell me a Story about a real Christian. That 's the Impulse, I was missing. I thought that I am "the only Christian in Town". I real your Writings since more than ten Years and I was never sure about your Interpretations of Christendom. Now I am. I may have some Questions that only you can answer, therefore I ask you, in you want to Correspond further. By the way, Yes, I have been to Canada(Guelph/Toronto)in 1997, it was very interesting, but the only Thing I took back home, was: I have to help my people over there. Many are poor, some are just ridiculous, but they never did anything wrong. Why is it so difficult to live a normal life there. Yes, I am not a poor Guy, but I hate Money. You know why I Do.