Smiling

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Smiling and Happiness

Happiness through Smiling

Happiness and Reaction

People and Happiness

Discovering Happiness

Depression and Unhappiness

Happy in Mind

Becoming Happiness

***** o0o*****

INTRODUCTION – SMILING

This newsletter topic was chosen having read this quote:

QUOTE: "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile." (Mother Teresa, 1910-1997, Roman Catholic Missionary)

We all probably know that scientifically SMILING has benefits. A smile produces toxins and pheromones that flood our body with goodness. That said… in ‘wisdom’ this knowledge is incorporated into its preaching’s so that it encourages a smile to occur regularly.

There are many stories in wisdom that flip our perspective of the world upon its head. Take this example:

THE SOWER’S SEEDS

A Young student approached the famous French scientist and philosopher, Blaise Pascal, and declared, "If I had your brains, I would be a better person."

Pondering the depth of that statement, Pascal paused momentarily before replying, "Be a better person, and you will have my brains."

(Unknown Author)

Of course we may smile because we know this short excerpt has truth. But the important concept to remember here is, “Why was the young student so desperate to be like his mentor?”

The answer of course is the ‘desire for a shortcut’. We all have experienced this desire. When we are tired we wish we had brought the car, when we are confused we wish we had bought the manual, when we are angry we wish we hadn’t said those horrible words.

Most situations can frustrate us if we can’t get a ‘handle’ on what’s happening. It is when the ‘penny drops’, when we can see the light at the end of the tunnel or when we suddenly get in sync with life, this is when we SMILE.

Stress can be reduced if we ‘understand’; frustration can be resolved if we find the missing link, anger can be reduced if we accept. These and many more all bring a smile to our face when we suddenly realise the ANSWER has arrived.

When a smile occurs from this type of sudden understanding, the toxins and pheromones flood our body and produce a positive response to a previous negative situation.

Wisdom and philosophy has had a thousand teachers and translating such stories and quotes is foolish. The original words seem to have a power to cut through the clouded vision we have that today’s glossary of words cannot do. Here is an excerpt from a Zen Story…

“Wisdom tends to grow in proportion to one's awareness of one's ignorance.”

Wisdom can make you smile because previously you’d held on to another piece of knowledge that in reality wasn’t true for you.

QUOTE: Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, "What’s in it for me?" (Brian Tracy)

To hear wisdom (the truth) will make you SMILE.

If you have faith in the truth then this can be seen in your body language. To smile in the face of adversity will create a body shield that prevents badness from penetrating.

A SMILE will start a ripple in the right direction. Where will destiny take us if we frown? Where will destiny takes us if we smile?

2. STORY 1

DESTINY

During a momentous battle, a Japanese general decided to attack even though his army was greatly outnumbered. He was confident they would win, but his men were filled with doubt.

On the way to the battle, they stopped at a religious shrine. After praying with the men, the general took out a coin and said, "I shall now toss this coin. If it is heads, we shall win. If it is tails we shall lose."

"Destiny will now reveal itself."

He threw the coin into the air and all watched intently as it landed. It was heads. The soldiers were so overjoyed and filled with confidence that they vigorously attacked the enemy and were victorious.

After the battle a lieutenant remarked to the general, "No one can change destiny."

"Quite right, " the general replied as he showed the lieutenant the coin, which had heads on both sides.

(Unknown Author)

***** o0o*****

Smiling and Happiness

Happiness through Smiling

Happiness and Reaction

People and Happiness

Discovering Happiness

Depression and Unhappiness

Happy in Mind

Becoming Happiness

***** o0o*****

3. STORY 2

HAPPINESS!

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are.

After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, or when we retire.

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

So treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you have shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with. . . and remember that time waits for no one.

(Crystal Boyd )

4 RESPONDING TO YOUR QUESTIONS

QUESTION: “I’ve had a few emotional problems recently and feel that these continue to shadow my every decision. How can I let go?”

ANSWER: Firstly I see a limitation you’ve given yourself and that is that you’re allowing previous events to hold a grip onto your next action. Trying to let go and you’ll never achieve anything. The word ‘trying’ is a powerful prevention tool.

You must learn how to let go by non-doing, a strange suggestion perhaps but nonetheless true. It is ‘letting go’ without the effort.

Wisdom can be gained by ‘knowing your ignorance’. You think that your attempts to try have failed therefore it cannot be done. Assume that certain things you know are not true anymore. Allow another suggestion to arise.

Every day you make a thousand decisions. You’ll move you arm to pick a drink up. That wasn’t done with a shadow hanging over it. So it is quite obvious any decision can be made with previous events being considered. So make the next decision without the shadow. You’ll smile!

PERSPECTIVE

The Master was in a mellow mood and the disciples were inquisitive. Did he ever feel depressed? They asked.

He did.

Wasn't it also true that he was in a continual state of happiness? They persisted.

It was.

What was the secret? They wanted to know.

Said the Master, "This: Everything is as good or as bad as one's opinion makes it."

(Anthony de Mello)

5. PHILOSOPHICAL TIPS & QUOTES

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

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.
(Sir Francis Bacon)

"Successful people begin where failures leave off. Never settle for 'just getting the job done.' Excel!" (Tom Hopkins, American Sales Trainer, Speaker, Author)

Bye for now.
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Courtesy:
www.wisdom-and-philosophy.com


 

***** o0o*****

Smiling and Happiness

Happiness through Smiling

Happiness and Reaction

People and Happiness

Discovering Happiness

Depression and Unhappiness

Happy in Mind

Becoming Happiness

***** o0o*****

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