Daily Stop & Thinks

The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one. (Malcolm Forbes, 20^th century American entrepreneur and publisher)

Remember readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmetic? It was mostly just cramming our brains with facts, dates, and ideas. And with that we very likely had a mind that was closed to new ideas and new ways of thinking. Forbes had a better idea: teach students to approach ideas with a mind open to discern truth and evaluate various courses of action carefully.

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9).

Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values. (Ayn Rand, U.S. Russian-born novelist)

Rand reminds us once again that happiness doesn’t just happen. We don’t get it by waiting for events or people to bring it to us; we must pursue those activities and goals that will bring contentment and a sense of fulfillment when we achieve them. In other words, make it your purpose to do something worthwhile When you do, the reward is happiness.

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live (Ecclesiastes 3:12).

Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness. (George Sand, pseudonym for 19^th century French novelist, Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin)

Sand suggests a number of characteristics of kindness. But what does it mean to “give without hesitation”? Do we give quickly to another’s need? What about “losing without regret”? Are we willing to sacrifice if necessary? Does “acquiring without meanness” mean working fairly to earn what we have? Maybe the summary is to be generous.

Since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge . . . see that you also excel in this grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7).

Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true. (Leon J. Suenes, 20^th century Roman Catholic Cardinal from Belgium)

Suenes would have us understand that happiness is not just a state of mind that results from pleasant circumstances or external events. Neither is it the product of imagination or wishful thinking. All of those elements must bring about some activity, some effort to fulfill the dream, a willingness to work hard to achieve what is hoped for.

Much dreaming and many words are meaningless (Ecclesiastes 5:7).

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. (Epictetus, 1^st & 2^nd century A.D. Greek-speaking philosopher)

This ancient principle is much-needed in the 21^st century. After all, what you are pretty well determines what you do. In that sense, being may be more important than doing. If we were to emphasize character development and integrity, then, perhaps, the people of our generation would involve themselves in more worthy, noble pursuits.

The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. . . . Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor (Proverbs 15:9; 21:21).

Happiness is not a possession to be prized; it is a quality of thought, a state of mind. (Daphne du Maurier, 20^th century English author and playwright)

Perhaps because of our childhood experiences, we have come to think that being happy is like having a gift—something wrapped in a box with a bow on it. We can open it whenever we’re sad and need to be encouraged. As we mature, however, we realize that happiness is not something we own but a quality we develop by living well and doing good.

So that it may always go well with you and your children after you . . . be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God (paraphrase of Deuteronomy 12:28).

There isn’t any pleasing some people. The trick is to stop trying. (Robert Mitchum, American film actor and singer)

We have all met people who seem never to be satisfied. As Mitchum says, there just is no way to please them. And we sometimes continue to be frustrated because we keep on trying to make them happy. Should we stop trying? Or, should we try to discover what their real desires are and find ways to help meet those needs?

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. … You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing (Psalm 90:14; 145:16).

To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness. (Bertrand Russell, 20^th century British philosopher and social critic)

Many people seem to find their security and happiness in their possessions—the stuff they have around them. Russell claims, however, that when we learn to do without some of the things that we think are essential to our well-being—it’s only then that we can become content. We need to understand that happiness is not in what we have but in what we are.

Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress . . . for riches do not endure forever (Proverbs 14:26; 27:24).

Fall seven times, stand up eight. (Japanese proverb)

Do you remember when your children or grandchildren were learning to walk? How many times did you urge them to get back up and try again after they’d fallen? Of course, we understand the importance of getting up and moving on. But, when it comes to our failures in life, do we give up too soon? To succeed, we must get up to try once again.

Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again (Proverbs 24:16).

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet. (James Oppenheim, 19^th & 20^th century American poet, novelist, and editor)

If we’re living as if happiness is a goal that can be achieved only in the distant future, we are missing out on the pleasure that we could be enjoying daily, right now. The “pie in the sky, blessings bye and bye” outlook deprives us of what we can experience in the present. Make every effort to pursue worthy efforts today that will bring joy in fulfillment.

To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness (Ecclesiastes 2:26).