Thought for today:
"Allowing oneself to 'get tangled up' or 'sucked in' to the business of others is a social occupation not to be pursued by those among us who are prone to depression and despair. Instead, learning how best to chill out and relax will make one a much better counsellor, comforter and supporter when the occasion demands it.
If we are wise, we will refrain from offering advice unless it is appreciated or invited. We should only lend a hand when it is used as a temporary form of assistance and not a long-term crutch for the socially crippled.
The best tonic I know for the maintenance of contentment with the folk around you and happiness with the life you live is facilitated best by being bothered what is going on in the world and the lives of friends and neighbours.
One sees much more easily when one is bothered to look first instead of act. One hears better when one is bothered to first listen instead of speak. One acts more appropriately when one is bothered to accept that sometimes the best thing to do is to do nothing at all except to 'be there'. Being bothered simply means that 'you care.'
If you can lighten up in your attitude and be more positive in your expectations, your darker moods will descend less often to blight your day and your presence will weigh more heavily in the lives of others. Walking in hope will soon encourage you to adopt the stride of confidence in all your dealings with your family, neighbours and friends. Learn to take the rush out of your busy days and peace will always remain a close neighbour in your area of activity.
My mother used to tell me, ' We should always make time to smell the roses as we pass by because we never know if we'll pass this way again, Billy.'
My dear friend, the author Stan Barstow who died a few years ago, used to tell me, 'Life is too damn short for it to be lived too seriously and in total civility. That's the best pleasure of getting older Bill; you can say what you feel and get away with it more often.'
With regard to my mum's and Stan's advice, I can now readily accept the merits of each the more I learn to live them out. I won't say that their coat of wisdom will be tailored to everyone's needs and be a suitable fit for all, but for myself, it will do nicely thank you." William Forde: May 18th, 2014.
"Allowing oneself to 'get tangled up' or 'sucked in' to the business of others is a social occupation not to be pursued by those among us who are prone to depression and despair. Instead, learning how best to chill out and relax will make one a much better counsellor, comforter and supporter when the occasion demands it.
If we are wise, we will refrain from offering advice unless it is appreciated or invited. We should only lend a hand when it is used as a temporary form of assistance and not a long-term crutch for the socially crippled.
The best tonic I know for the maintenance of contentment with the folk around you and happiness with the life you live is facilitated best by being bothered what is going on in the world and the lives of friends and neighbours.
One sees much more easily when one is bothered to look first instead of act. One hears better when one is bothered to first listen instead of speak. One acts more appropriately when one is bothered to accept that sometimes the best thing to do is to do nothing at all except to 'be there'. Being bothered simply means that 'you care.'
If you can lighten up in your attitude and be more positive in your expectations, your darker moods will descend less often to blight your day and your presence will weigh more heavily in the lives of others. Walking in hope will soon encourage you to adopt the stride of confidence in all your dealings with your family, neighbours and friends. Learn to take the rush out of your busy days and peace will always remain a close neighbour in your area of activity.
My mother used to tell me, ' We should always make time to smell the roses as we pass by because we never know if we'll pass this way again, Billy.'
My dear friend, the author Stan Barstow who died a few years ago, used to tell me, 'Life is too damn short for it to be lived too seriously and in total civility. That's the best pleasure of getting older Bill; you can say what you feel and get away with it more often.'
With regard to my mum's and Stan's advice, I can now readily accept the merits of each the more I learn to live them out. I won't say that their coat of wisdom will be tailored to everyone's needs and be a suitable fit for all, but for myself, it will do nicely thank you." William Forde: May 18th, 2014.
