Daily Stop & Thinks

Men do less than they ought, unless they do all they can. (Thomas Carlyle, 19^th century Scottish philosopher and satirist)

No one can do everything, so is it sensible to give some effort here and more somewhere else, spreading our efforts widely? Carlyle’s statement is certainly a challenge to consider carefully how much we become involved in worthy activity. No doubt, it’s a matter of priority, but we certainly must do our best at whatever project we choose.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart (Colossians 3:23).

If you want to find happiness, find gratitude. (Steve Maraboli, motivational speaker and author)

There’s something about being grateful that is self-enhancing. It may be counterintuitive, but when we express thanks to someone, we discover that we feel better about ourselves. It isn’t that we are trying to do something for ourselves, it’s just that when we say thanks to someone, it seems to release a warm, personal feeling of well-being. So, say thanks often!

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, (1 Timothy 4:4).

Try not to become a man of success but a man of value. (Albert Einstein, renowned scientist)

Success seems to be the goal for most young people. To be the best known athlete or actor. To be the winner in an important election. To be named “author of the year.” All of these—and more—are the ambitions of many young people. But, as Einstein notes, to be recognized for integrity and high values is far more important than those achievements.

Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right (Proverbs 16:13). Godliness has value for all things (1 Timothy 4:8).

Contentment is realizing God has provided everything I need for my present happiness. (Bill Gothard, speaker and author on life principles)

Are you working hard to find happiness? Many are, but never seem to be satisfied with their present circumstances or place in life. They continue to look to others to make them happy or to provide something that seems to be missing in their lives. The Bible says, however, that happiness is associated with learning to be content with what we have.

 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that (1 Timothy 6:8).

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).