Some thoughts...
A regular came in the other day and started a conversation with me which led to why I thought so many people are unhappy in their lives. Since I find this particular guy intimidating in his confidence I told him I would think about it and get back to him on it. I knew my answer but unfortunately I was in no frame of mind to put it into the correct words so I never did get back to him. I found it a significant topic though so I've decided to write about it here.
I've noticed that many people are unhappy with their lives for various reasons. Whether its due to their physical appearance, their job, or a desire for the things they lack. I think this unhappiness is a result of focusing on the wrong things in life and unfortunately with our culture it is quite easy to become distracted from what is really important. And some people just aren't aware of it in the first place.
I read a book recently called The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. In it a prophet is asked questions pertaining to a number of topics such as work, love, marriage, giving, and others. The two that stood out to me most were Work and Love.
When the prophet was asked about work he said that you work to keep pace with life and that work should be performed with love and in doing so it will no longer be a curse or misfortune. "All work is empty save when there is love" And to work with love you should perform your task as if you are doing it for your beloved. You should focus on how it will help someone because even the smallest and seemingly stupidest job is of some help to someone. Any situation can be seen in a positive light. You just have to be a little stubborn and have a lot of humility.
This passage stood out to me because the Ashram that I stayed at taught the same thing. They told us to focus on the task at hand and to think of those we were doing it for. To work with love in our hearts. Its hard to do of course but I found that when I actually did do it I enjoyed myself much more especially because many of the jobs I was give were rather menial.
The passage of love spoke a lot of truth. I've run into a lot of people lately that have become bitter due to love going bad but in this passage it speaks of how one should love but be aware that it is a hard path and a rewarding one.
"When love beckons to you, follow him
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the gardens.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like leaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.
All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.
But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understand of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips."
People should focus on making others happy because ultimately that is what makes ourselves happy. We focus on ourselves too much.
I've noticed that many people are unhappy with their lives for various reasons. Whether its due to their physical appearance, their job, or a desire for the things they lack. I think this unhappiness is a result of focusing on the wrong things in life and unfortunately with our culture it is quite easy to become distracted from what is really important. And some people just aren't aware of it in the first place.
I read a book recently called The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. In it a prophet is asked questions pertaining to a number of topics such as work, love, marriage, giving, and others. The two that stood out to me most were Work and Love.
When the prophet was asked about work he said that you work to keep pace with life and that work should be performed with love and in doing so it will no longer be a curse or misfortune. "All work is empty save when there is love" And to work with love you should perform your task as if you are doing it for your beloved. You should focus on how it will help someone because even the smallest and seemingly stupidest job is of some help to someone. Any situation can be seen in a positive light. You just have to be a little stubborn and have a lot of humility.
This passage stood out to me because the Ashram that I stayed at taught the same thing. They told us to focus on the task at hand and to think of those we were doing it for. To work with love in our hearts. Its hard to do of course but I found that when I actually did do it I enjoyed myself much more especially because many of the jobs I was give were rather menial.
The passage of love spoke a lot of truth. I've run into a lot of people lately that have become bitter due to love going bad but in this passage it speaks of how one should love but be aware that it is a hard path and a rewarding one.
"When love beckons to you, follow him
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the gardens.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like leaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.
All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.
But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understand of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips."
People should focus on making others happy because ultimately that is what makes ourselves happy. We focus on ourselves too much.