Faith in Yourself

A person who has faith

Always wear a happy face;

His smile that comes from the soul

Is reflected in the eyes.

Happiness is sleeping well

Good morning friends. Some of you may ask how can we be happy if we are sleeping. Some may think it’s a silly question to ask. But actually it’s not. There are some people who love to sleep. They got their happiness with it rather than going to the malls, watching movies, party at night and others. I have read one article and he found his happiness in sleeping well.Spiritualism or happiness is not a physical object, therefore cannot be described by labels or brands or, at the other extreme, by simplicity.Both are states of being felt by an individual. If wearing Gucci makes someone happy, that may be the person’s way of being happy. Another person might find happiness in meditation or in leading an austere life, that’s his way of achieving the same goal.

Spiritualism transcends oneself. It is a state of being where one thinks not about self-happiness but happiness of others, wellness of the environment , harmony of nature and metaphysical things such as the meaning of life, birth, death, etc.

Being religious means believing in the existence of God and following a particular faith to supplant this belief. Being rich or materialistic has nothing to do with being religious. Any one form of happiness does not preclude us from being spiritual or religious. It is left to the individual to find happiness.

People wear God in amulets and pendants. That doesn’t make them non-spiritual or more spiritual; to each his own. The problem arises when one decides to wear God on, say briefs. Physical displays of disrespect should be avoided as they intrude upon other people’s beliefs and sentiments.

In the day-to-day context, it is important to do good deeds like sharing your happiness, loving others just as you would have them love you, making decisions that are holistic rather than selfish. It also means finding a purpose of living that is larger than earning and consuming and making every decision with this in mind.

My idea of happiness is being able to sleep well every night knowing that the day was well-lived and experienced to the fullest. – The Times of India

(Sabeer Bhatia is the co-founder of Hotmail and an entrepreneur)
timeslife@timesgroup.com

Faith makes us human

Good morning friends. Do you believe in faith? Some of us never thought that faith can’t help oneself to be human. Maybe with those people who thought of that was the one who experience bad things in life that’s why they can say that faith has nothing to do in one’s life. I have read one article and it is very nice. I want to share this with you.

It is our belief in God that makes us human, says Chetan Bhagat.

There are some questions that I don’t have answers to. Like, why does faith help? Or, why do we have faith? But I realize that it’s very important to strike the right balance between science and spirituality. If you become too scientific, too analytical and insist that everything has a reason, then you probably are trying to be all-knowing and all-powerful, which you as a mortal being cannot be.

Anything can happen anytime. Life is uncertain, relationships are uncertain, success is uncertain and so is health. Our belief in God is an acknowledgement to that sense of vulnerability. It makes us more human. I would like to pray more but I don’t get the time.

Our faith should not make us dogmatic or agnostic. Instead, it should channelize positive energy so that society benefits from it. Faith should comfort people, not antagonize them. God does not decide things for us on a day-to-day basis. He has given us a mind that can reason and an ability to think for ourselves.

This is what makes us superior to other living beings. Even if there is destiny, there is also a lot of free will. God has His place, an individual his. Hence the need to strike a balance between science and spirituality is all the more important. – The Times of India

Happiness is a good night’s rest’

Good morning friends. Some says that when you have a good night rest, the following day it will be a perfect one. When the day is perfect and no problem at all then we will have the happy time. It was a story of the author which I want to share id with you after I read it. It’s a nice article.

My spiritual quest began rather early in life and progressed into academic study when I decided to major in religion and philosophy in college.

The choice was made with the intention of finding a few answers to my many questions, to study the ‘different’ religions of the world. I oscillated from believing to not believing to questioning the faith I was born into.

May be there was a better alternative for me? One that I was to choose for myself and hence be more willing to accept. There was a moment in my life when I contemplated conversion — when I was drawn to a particular faith. It was introspection that made me realize that what I sought was not a path, what I sought was a union with the constant evolution that surrounds us.

The fact that our reality, ourselves and our beliefs are in constant flux. That there is an impermanence that is ever present and our ability to cope with it, has more to do with our changing self than a path we choose. As it turned out I chose to stay in my faith, to understand it for myself and to be free in the understanding that the essence of all religions is the same. In times of peril, there are many verses I recount, I make annual pilgrimages, not all of these are to temples.

Do I practice my faith? Yes, I do. My practice is in the interactions I share with people. My spiritual quest continues. Do I view material possessions negatively? Not necessarily — I am however cautious of not letting what I possess define me, nor judge others by their possessions. It is one of my spiritual victories, to be able to do that very easily. There are other things that I struggle with; often I struggle with as much of the good in my life as I do the bad.

At times I feel grateful and then on some days undeserving — of the good and the bad. Today, there are enough and more things we encounter, a lot of times it isn’t so much about choice, it’s more about learning what to step around — with practice, I side step pretty easy now and sleep well. And isn’t happiness above all else a good night’s rest? - The Times of India

(Advaita Kala is an author)

How can I find happiness in my life? (2)

Without complaining, he went to his job every day. At night he returned, his attitude as positive as if he had his old job. One night he got to talking enthusiastically about the fine art of digging ditches and how he was enjoying the opportunity of working outdoors and using his strength to accomplish a task. "I've never felt better in my life," he commented.

We boys were so fascinated by his enthusiasm that we went to watch him. Most of the men who worked with him were leaning on their shovels, looking miserable. Not our neighbor. When he saw us, he stopped to take us on a quick tour. He told us how to dig a ditch. Then he showed us his handiwork. His ditches were straight…uniformly deep - with firm sides. "Aren't they beautiful?" He was proud of his ditches.
One night, he announced that he had been made foreman. He was filled with compassion and pity for his men. They refused to accept their lot in life and spent the day moaning and complaining. Our neighbor now had a new zest for his job the challenge of lifting his men out of despondency and showing them how to be thankful they had some work to do.

As I watched this highly skilled craftsman who could find a challenge and satisfaction in anything he did, I realized he had mastered a pivotal principle: it was not the task that was important, but the spirit he brought to that task. He brought an undaunted spirit to every task and experience. As a result, he was happy and successful.

This man had a faith that sustained him. His faith could be summed up in these verses from the Bible:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:5-6). -Henry Brandt. Visit him at www.BiblicalCounselingInsight.com

When Bad Things Happen to Good People - 1

How do you feel – if through no fault of your own, things change for the worse? Are you going to respond by abandoning your faith in God because of setbacks, tragedies and sorrows in life? Or are you going to trust God no matter what happens with the unshakable attitude that when nothing else is left, you have God. Bible-believing Christians who are not fair-weather believers know deep in their hearts that God is enough for our lives and our future in times of blessings or sufferings.

Many of us do not understand why God allows us to suffer. In deed there are many “why” questions in life. Especially during times of trials, sufferings, and crises in our lives. Many, if not all of us, are tempted a thousand times to ask, “My God, why…? But we should not be disturbed by this situation. It is not a situation that exists only in this modern age. From Biblical story of Job is a story that should be told and retold to our brothers and sisters who are in the midst of sufferings. Job was wealthy man of God who lost his possession, his children and his health. Though he did not understand why God allowed him to suffer, his faith in God remained intact. Job continued to trust God no matter what happened. In the Book of Job in the Old Testament we see Job’s genuine faith had weathered his sufferings. As Job says: “Even if He (God) should kill me, I still will trust in Him.

Letting go of loss and failure – 3

Finally, put your trust in the Lord. “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” Have faith in God and faith in Me” (Jn 14.1).

So don’t worry too much. Continue the good works you’re doing in the Legion of Mary – or even double the dosage.

The Lighter side. Once there was a man who was suffering from insomnia because of too much anxiety. He decided to try the old remedy for insomnia: Counting sheep.He went to bed and closed his eyes, but when the first sheep came along it stumbled and fell.
Would someone come along to help the sheep? Ho many more sheep would come along and stumble over the fallen sheep? How much more would the shepherd lose as a result of the accident?

The Man was so personally involved with the situation that the more he could not sleep! Lesson: Let go of anxieties and leave room for God’s action.

The wise never marry. And when they marry they become otherwise.