Opening the Windows Within

When we have gained a broader perspective about what is most important in life, the small challenges we face along the way will amount to only slight interferences.

We pave the path before us as we set out upon our life’s journey. In doing so, we fill many roles such as surveyor, engineer, laborer and diplomat. How well we have prepared ourselves will greatly determine how wonderful our journey is destined to be.

We have depended on others before us to hold the torches that light the path for our journey through life. We too must bear the torches for others so they will avoid stumbling on their own journeys.

As we reflect back on our own segment of time at what we have accomplished or what purpose we have served, will we feel fulfilled? Will we have achieved what was intended for us? Now is the time to ask these questions while the rest of our lives still await us.

Since we all need a sense of direction as we navigate through life, why not use the compass found in compassion?

How remarkable the design is for each day with enough time provided to accomplish all the necessary labor and tasks that we can fit in and enough time for rest so that we can renew again.

A typical rose bush may have ten times as many thorns as it does flowers, but when we observe a rose bush we usually focus more on the flowers. This is also a wonderful way to view life.

It has been said that idle time is the devil’s workshop. Perhaps this is so, but it is also God’s workshop. In fact, it is whoever’s workshop we decide it should be.

We have arrived upon a time that is especially important to supplement our thinking more sensibly, rationally, and intentionally. The meaningful information available to us is often accompanied by nonsense and confusion that will also influence us. We should focus on what is essential and important while dismissing what is senseless to avoid corrupting our thoughts.

When we strive to seek similarities - rather than differences - among people, we will begin to discover the means for overcoming our greatest fears, obstacles, and problems.

We all have a more pleasant side of our nature that promotes goodness and kindness. We should allow this part of our nature to be revealed and known. Don’t keep this stashed away. The beauty of a sparkling diamond is only known when it is seen.

Our time in life is certainly appreciated, but the time that we spend peacefully and pleasantly is truly endearing.

The components of love are also the components of character. When we realize this, we can bring greater peace and harmony into our lives.

Love has so many dimensions and expressions, and we relate to types of love in different ways. The common characteristics that love shares are the passion that it brings and its positive effect that draws us close to it.

Truth and love share positive characteristics and provide a basis for what good we might ultimately strive to achieve. Their positive effect creates an overlap that is so strong that it is difficult to distinguish where one ends and the other begins. Truth and love share close company.

There is never a time when truth becomes irrelevant, because truth represents what is real. Without truth - what are we left with? Practically everything good, honest, and decent is predicated in love and truth.

There are many ways that inspiration affects our lives. We can draw upon inspiration from inspiring sources. We have the ability to generate inspiration ourselves. We also may become someone who provides a source of inspiration for others.

Forget what people say about what you’re not capable of doing. Confidence is often the missing component that holds us back from success.

People should be encouraged to realize their unique abilities and talents and advance them toward excellence. While pursuing this effort, new opportunities will be discovered and greater self-confidence will be gained.

We all get bent out of shape at times. We just don’t want to stay in that position for too long since it is usually uncomfortable.

It has been said that misery enjoys company, but I believe that it prefers the company of joy, happiness, laughter, cheer, and humor.

Today is the tomorrow that awaited us yesterday. One day there will be no tomorrow, so we should try to make the most of every day.

Our fast-paced and rapidly changing world frequently seems to challenge us and place us in uncertain circumstances. It is especially important that we keep ourselves focused on essential principles and values because - if these are not promoted - they may begin to erode.

If we dismiss the importance of emotions, we will discard valuable assets that are essential for developing normal behavior, conduct, and relationships with other people,

When feeling irritable or agitated while dealing with conflict, rather than lash out, pause and try to remain calm. Consider using the nice approach in your response. This may not resolve the issue, but at least you will feel better about it.

Emotional integrity can be greatly enhanced when emotions can be appropriately displayed rather than disguised. This helps a person to stay emotionally in tune and balanced.

What we refer to as our inner child is really our enthusiasm and imagination, our curiosity and sense of adventure, and our innocence and purity. Youthfulness that extends into our later years becomes the vibrancy that we still experience in life.

Frustration occurs when we are experiencing high levels of conflicting emotions. There are times when a part of us may want to laugh while another part of us wants to cringe and another part wants to cry.

The heart is a symbol that represents strength and courage, but also feeling and sensitivity. Our hearts represent our real desires and reflect our true motives and nature. The heart is our emotional barometer.

People generally have the same principle desires: to be comfortable, happy, secure, appreciated and loved.

Dealing with anger is a lot like dealing with fire. If we want to enrage it, we simply add fuel and fan the flames. When we want to extinguish it, we remove the fuel, cool the embers, and smother it.

The complexities of life cannot be learned at a surface level of thinking. The elements of our learning are important, but it is equally important to develop healthy contexts that incorporate our thoughts. Our thinking is comprised of what we know and also how we know it.

The essence of who we are becomes known and revealed by our character. Through character conscience is shaped and conduct is demonstrated. Our character serves as a conduit which links us between two gateways in life: that of the world and that of our soul.

A beautiful marble sculpture is created with two sets of tools. Hammers and stone chisels represent one set; discipline, desire, and diligence provide the other. This second set of tools is also what we use to build our character. Discipline steadies the chisels while desire strikes the blows as the shape takes form. Diligence helps guide and direct and sees the effort through.

A necklace of pearls is strung one pearl at a time. A sparkling diamond is fashioned one facet at a time. But the beauty within a person’s nature will develop over a lifetime. A person’s inner beauty may ultimately resonate to outshine and outlast either diamonds or pearls.

If we have not yet reached our spiritual destination or fulfilled our spiritual quest, then we must still be arriving.

Words may be viewed similarly to knives when considering their various uses and effects. They can be used as tools for constructing or as instruments for healing - but they can also be used as daggers for hurting.