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Today's
quotation:
I love the
people that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength
from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the
business of little minds to shrink; but those whose hearts
are firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will
pursue their principles unto death.
Thomas Paine
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Today's
Meditation:
I
find it interesting that many people can't understand how
I can smile when there are problems afoot. They
don't see what I see--that problems are opportunities for
us to excel, for us to find new ways of doing things in
order to solve those very problems that we see as negative
influences in our lives. During times of crisis many
people perform at levels that surprise even themselves, as
they reach deep inside themselves to find reserves that
they've only imagined before.
If
we develop our principles and live by our consciences, we
can't help but grow. Obstacles in our way will be
minor, for as long as we live by our principles, we know
that they'll guide us through any challenges that may
arise in our lives. If we see our principles as firm
guides--while always remembering that they may change with
time as we learn more about life--we can accomplish much
more than if we don't follow them at all.
We
have many opportunities not just to live by our
principles, but also to "pursue our principles"
while we live. Life is all about making ourselves
more caring, more compassionate, more loving human beings,
and our principles can guide us in reaching these
goals. But we must be careful--principles that treat
money or fame or fortune as ultimate pursuits can drag us
down into despair and pain.
Do
you want to be a person who lives by principle, and who
thus is able to look obstacles and troubles in the eye as
learning experiences rather than as disasters? Keep
your heart firm, then, and make your decisions and live by
them, keeping in mind that your decisions of tomorrow may
very well be just the opposite of your decisions
today. Stay the course firmly following your
principles, and troubles will be very little to you.
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