We were sharing our thoughts about life, as we often do. It is good, once in a while , to make a reassessment: what one has achieved, what one hopes to achieve in the now and in the future. There has to be a plan of action because as the saying goes: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."
Everything in the universe has a purpose: every drop of water, every animal, every plant; even down to the infinitely small, every microorganism has its purpose.
Since we are on the topic of purpose, let me add some quotes:
"Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction." John F. Kennedy
"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." Dalai Lama
Why would our purpose be to help others? The world is built on the principle of interconnectedness and interdependence. When you go to the store and get a gallon of milk, just think of all the people-doing various jobs- it took to allow to just open the door of that freezer and get it and take it home. If any of the aspects of that production and delivery system came to a halt, there would be no milk for you to buy. The same goes for any other item you ever buy. It is obvious that we depend on other people for our needs, that includes health care , transportation and entertainment.
Have you ever considered what your day would look like if all you could eat, use or watch/read were solely foods you have personally grown, items personally made, movies personally directed or books you had personally written. I have a feeling that by noon that day, there would be a strong plea to go back to the world , as we know it. A world where everything is so easily and readily available, people have grown to expect it.
“Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted–a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” — Rabbi Harold Kushner
When we take what we have for granted, the magic of life is gone. Gratitude for ordinary things, gratitude for all the people who made those products, books or movies we lift us up.
Eleanor Roosevelt said: "Happiness is not a goal, it is a by product."
One of my favorite authors, Albert Schweitzer, wrote once:
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."
When we find a way to help others, when we find a way to make a difference using our God-given unique talents, happiness will come, automatically.
Henry Ford said:"Wealth, like happiness, is never attained when sought after directly. It comes as a by-product of providing a useful service."
Therefore it is clear that by helping one another, in one of the multiple ways we can offer help through our skills and various talents, joy and happiness are found and this life itself becomes wonderful. Isn't what we are all longing for?
Doris Crompton
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