Thoughts 1 Thoughts 2 Thoughts 3 Thoughts 4 Thoughts 5 Home About Me Place Of Peace Health Index Inspiration I Letter Niagara On Road Religion Seniors Treasures
	Comforting Thoughts For Living – Page 2   The Art of Happiness There was never a time when so much official effort is expended to produces happiness, and probably never a time when so little attention is paid by the individual — to creating the personal qualities that make for it. What one misses most today is the evidence of widespread personal determination to develop a character that will in itself, given any reasonable odds, make for happiness. Our whole emphasis is on the reform of living conditions, of increased wages, of controls on the economic structure – the government approach – and so little on man improving himself. The ingredients of happiness are so simple that they can be counted on one hand. Happiness comes from within, and rests most securely on simple goodness and clear conscience. Religion may not be essential to it, but no one is known to have gained it without a philosophy resting on ethical principles. Self is its enemy; to make another happy is to be happy one's self. It is quiet, seldom found for long in crowds, most easily won in moments of solitude and reflection. It cannot be bought; indeed money has very little to do with it. No one is happy unless he is reasonably well satisfied with himself, so that the quest for tranquillity must of necessity begin with self-examination. We shall not often be content with what we discover in this scrutiny. There is so much to do, and so little done. Upon this searching self-analysis, however, depends the discovery of those qualities that make each man and woman unique, and whose development alone can bring satisfaction. Anonymous Of all those who have tried, down the ages, to outline a program for happiness, few have succeeded so well as William Henry Channing, Chaplain of the House of Representatives in the middle of the last century: "To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hearts, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to the stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never; in a word to let the spiritual; unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common." It will be noted that no government can do this for you; you must do it for yourself. ..............................   Thoughts for To-day When things perplex you — remember Christopher Columbus! When Columbus set out on his voyage of discovery, he didn't know where he was going. When he arrived on strange shores, he didn't know where he was. When he got back, he didn't know where he'd been — and yet he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had found a great, new world. Nothing ever becomes real until it is experienced. Try first yourself — and after, call for God; To the worker — God himself lends aid. ..............................   The Beautiful Promises of God God has not promised red skies always blue, Flower-stream pathways all our lives through. God has not promised red sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain. God has not promised we shall not know Trial and temptation, trouble and woe. He has not told us we shall not bear Many a burden, many a care. But God has promised strength for the day, Rest for the labour, light for the way. Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love. ..............................   From Voices United Voices United is the United Church's latest hymn and worship book, published in 1997. It is an excellent treasure of hymns, prayers, responses, psalms and many other worship resources. Some of this material is presented in these pages for your meditations. The words of the hymns make thoughtful sources for comfort.   A Contemporary Affirmation of Faith We are not alone, we live in God's world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God's presence, to live with respect in creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. .............................   In the Quiet Curve of Evening ... #278 In the quiet curve of evening, in the sinking of the days, in the silky void of darkness, you are there. In the lapses of my breathing, in the space between my ways, in the crater carved by sadness, you are there. You are there, you are there, you are there. In the rests between the phrases, in the cracks between the stars, in the gaps between the meaning, you are there. In the melting down of endings, in the cooling of the sun, in the solstice of the winter, you are there. You are there, you are there, you are there. In the mystery of my hungers, in the silence of my rooms, in the cloud of my unknowing, you are there. In the empty cave of grieving, in the desert of my dreams, in the tunnel of my sorrow, you are there. You are there, you are there, you are there. ..............................   A Prayer For a Lonely Moment Our Father in heaven, help me to feel your presence now. I need you. At other times I was busy with many cares. I thought I had so much to do that I often forgot you. I neglected your friendship. But even though I did forget you, you never forgot me. Be my friend in this hour and always. You do not forsake those who turn to you. With you near at hand, I can "both lay me down and sleep, for you, Lord, make me dwell in safety." Give unto me peace and quiet; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
	The music, All I Ask, ©2000 LLERRAH, Inc is sequenced and performed by Margi Harrell and is used with her permission. If you wish to use Ms Harrell's music you must contact her at http://www.llerrah.com/ where you will find many wonderful midis as well as CDs for sale!