Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness. (Bertrand Russell, 20^th century British philosopher)

Doing without is not something we strive for. Most of us have an abundance of things, and what we don’t have, we want, so we work hard to get more stuff. What Russell had in mind might be hard to understand, but being without worthwhile things is a great motivation to work hard to fulfill our dreams. Want to be happy? Work hard.

The Apostle Paul, “We gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’” (Acts 20:35)

STOP AND THINK – Seek to do good, and you will find that happiness will run after you. (James Freeman Clarke, 19^th century American theologian and author)

As mentioned in previous daily thoughts, happiness is not something to be sought so much as the result of making right choices, developing positive attitudes, and engaging in worthy activity. If we do all the good we can in all the relationships we have, we  will not only help others and achieve worthy accomplishments, but we will discover that we are happy.

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

STOP AND THINK – All happy people are grateful. Ungrateful people cannot be happy. (Dennis Prager, syndicated columnist and radio talk show host)

Gratitude and happiness are very closely linked. If you have an attitude of gratitude, you very likely will be a happy person. As Prager says, “We tend to think that being unhappy leads people to complain, but it’s truer to say that complaining leads to people becoming unhappy.” So, let’s stop complaining, let’s start thanking, and let’s be happy.

Admonish one another with all wisdom through . . . singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16)

STOP AND THINK – Simply put, you believe that things or people make you unhappy, but this is not accurate. You make yourself unhappy. (Wayne Dyer, American motivational speaker and author)

How often have we blamed someone else for our unhappiness? He said something that hurt me, or she treated me unfairly. Whether it’s a co-worker, someone in line at the grocery store, or even a friend—can they really be the cause for our sour state of mind? We need to recognize that, ultimately, we alone are responsible for our attitudes and emotions.

You were taught . . . to be made new in the attitude of your minds. (Ephesians 4:22-23)

STOP AND THINK – We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about. (Charles Kingsley, 19^th century Anglican priest and professor)

Has Kingsley rightly judged his fellow men? Is it true that people value comfort and luxury too highly and seem to be pursuing them as life’s most important goals? Whether or not his judgment is correct, what about the solution he offers? Is enthusiasm enough? Well, it is certain that we need to find something to seek after that is not just temporal and fleeting.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me. (Philippians 3:14)

STOP AND THINK – Where fear is, happiness is not. (Seneca, 1^st century Roman Stoic philosopher)

Sometimes obvious ideas simply stated convey profound truths. Fear and happiness certainly are incompatible, aren’t they? Can you imagine being scared and joyful at the same time? When we’re afraid, what can we do to alleviate the fear and restore happiness? We should look beyond ourselves to get rid of the fear and find joy.

 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.  . . . The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

STOP AND THINK – You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life. (Albert Camus, French-Algerian Nobel Prize winning author)

Looking for happiness is like looking for the meaning of life, according to Camus. Like so many other things in life, the things we search for often are illusive and are found, not as a goal to be achieved, but in the process of living. When we are living right with a positive attitude, for example, we will most likely discover along the way that we, indeed, are happy.

You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. (Ecclesiastes 11:9)

STOP AND THINK – Be happy. Talk happiness. Happiness calls out responsive gladness in others. (Helen Keller, American author and lecturer)

Everyone wants to be happy. The “Pursuit of Happiness” is considered to be a right that everybody should enjoy. Yet, many are still unhappy. Keller, who suffered many physical disabilities, gives some helpful hints. If we determine to be happy, if we talk as if we’re happy, we will provoke happiness in others, and it will be mutually beneficial.

May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. (Psalm 68:3)

STOP AND THINK – We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is the same. (Carlos Castaneda, Peruvian-American author)

In the United States today is Labor Day, a time to honor the workmen of our country. But Castaneda is speaking of another kind of work. It’s not the labor of your hands or the back-breaking toil of the laborer. Rather, it’s the equally hard work of controlling our minds and attitudes. We can’t blame it on others—or on our jobs; happiness is our responsibility.

Jesus: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

STOP AND THINK – No matter how much madder it may make you, get out of bed forcing a smile. (Kenneth Goode)

Are you a “morning person”? If not, this quote might be good for you. Goode goes on to say, “You may not smile because you are cheerful; but if you will force yourself to smile, you’ll end up laughing.” Try it tomorrow morning to see if it makes your day start better—or, at least, you will start with a better attitude and lighter spirit.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful. (Proverbs 15:13)

STOP AND THINK – A leader that is no longer a learner is not leading—he is managing. (Jeff Bogue, American pastor)

Some people might think that a leader should “know it all.” After all, he or she is in a position that is responsible for a group of followers, who are dependent upon their leader. But, unless that leader continues to learn and grow in his knowledge and skills, he may eventually not know enough or retain the needed skills to continue to lead effectively.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance (Proverbs 1:5). Teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9).

STOP AND THINK – A friend is a present you give yourself. (Robert Louis Stevenson, 19^th century Scottish writer)

We all like to have friends, the more the merrier. But we must choose them carefully. Not every acquaintance will help to build us up emotionally and spiritually. When we find one who will, we are giving ourselves a great gift that will be mutually beneficial throughout our lifetime. We will enjoy them today and establish lasting, pleasant memories.

The righteous choose their friends carefully (Proverbs 12:26). A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity (Proverbs 17:17).