SEVEN KEYS FOR JOYFUL LIVING - Chris Widener, American author, business mentor and motivational speaker, offers some keys to open doors of possibility.
1. KNOW YOUR PURPOSE. Nothing will bring you joy more than knowing what it is that you are about on this earth. Not knowing brings sadness, wondering, fear and lack of fulfilment.
2. LIVE PURPOSEFULLY.…It is one thing to know your purpose, but then you need to live according to that purpose. This is a matter of priorities. Let your actions and schedule reflect your purpose. Don't react to circumstances and let them cause you to live without your purpose fully in sight.
3. STRETCH YOURSELF. Don't settle into the status quo. That will leave you unfulfilled. Always look to stretch yourself. Whatever you are doing, stretch yourself to do more! Stretching yourself will break the limits you have set for yourself.
4. GIVE MORE THAN YOU TAKE. It brings happiness to accumulate. It brings joy to give away. Give.
5. SURPRISE YOURSELF AND OTHERS TOO. The words here are spontaneity and surprise! Every once in a while, do the unexpected. It will cause everybody to sit up!
6. INDULGE YOURSELF SOMETIMES. Too much indulgence and you are caught in the happiness trap; looking for the next purchase, celebration, etc., to bring you a little "happiness high." But if you will allow yourself an occasional indulgence as a reward for a job well done and a life well lived, you will appreciate the indulgence and experience the joy of it.
7. LAUGH A LITTLE—NO, A LOT! Most people are just too serious. We need to laugh a little—no, a lot! Learn to laugh daily, even if you have to learn to laugh in bad situations. This life is to be enjoyed! Let yourself laugh!
PRAYER BY BROTHER BERNARD, SOCIETY OF ST. FRANCIS.
for when faith raises more questions than answers.
Lord, I want to love you,
yet I’m not sure. I want to trust you,
yet I’m afraid of being taken in. I know I need you,
yet I’m ashamed of the need. I want to pray,
yet I’m afraid of being a hypocrite. I need my independence,
yet I fear to be alone. I want to belong,
yet I must be myself. Take me, Lord,
yet leave me alone. Lord, I believe;
help thou my unbelief.
O Lord, if you are there,
you do understand, don’t you? Give me what I need
but leave me free to choose. Help me work it out my own way,
but don’t let me go. Let me understand myself,
but don’t let me despair. Come unto me, O Lord…I want you there. Lighten my darkness…but don’t dazzle me. Help me to see what I need to do
and give me strength to do it. O Lord, I believe;
help thou my unbelief.
