Moderation : key to hapiness

• Eat one ice cream - Delicious!
• Eat 10 ice creams - severe stomach ache
• So :

                  -  Eat moderately or risk illness
                  - Drink moderately or risk disease
                  - Exercise moderately or risk injury
                  - Have fun and games moderately and risk neglecting other important activities.

• Listen to your inner voice to know how much is moderate.
• Excess of anything will bring pain of some sort.
• Choose happiness - Practice moderation!!!

              

Climb that ladder . . . of life:

• In the ladder of life, everyone starts at the bottom.
• You get to decide what you want at the top of the ladder
• Look at your options :

                                           - Wealth
                                           - Good education
                                           - Widely travveled
                                           - Spiritual evolution
                                           - All of the above.

• Never give up! Keep climbing one step at a time.
• With faith and perseverance, you will definitely reach the top! Someone up there really loves you and will help you to get there. 
• So believe in yourself and keep climbing.

Problem ! See the opportunity.

LOOK BEYOND THE PROBLEM!
REMEMBER -To live means to experience good times and bad times.
                      -Problems provide the challenge that you have the capacity to solve.
                      -When problems arise face  them with courage.It's an opportunity to develop a strong character.
                      -Running away from problems makes us weak- gives us a poor self image.
                      -Share difficult problems :Give your loved ones the opportunity to help you.
                      -Helping others with their problems will prepare you for challenges of your own.
                      -Problems are good teachers :You learn as you find solutions to them.

Christmas!!!

A blessed season wrapped in joy

Children wait for that special toy

Imbibing a treasure of spiritual wealth

Of love, sharing and toasting good health.

Carols that inculcate a spirit of bliss

Friendship and forgiveness sealed with a kiss

And making complete a celebration so pure

Is Father Christmas with his gifts galore.

The holy atmosphere, the mystical tales 

God acknowledged as the saviour we hail

Decoration aglow on trees around

And all things delicious in homes abound.

Cherish the message that Christmas gives

For in that spirit we all should live.

Anthology of Sonnets published : 'Reaching for Divinity'

The sonnets are written in contemporary modern English. They are designed to develop life skills and insights about current issues.

Anyone interested in purchasing copies may telephone : 031- 578 2404

Children are a blessing. . .

• Couples are blessed with children.
• Children give them a chance to demonstrate 

            - their capacity for unconditional love
            - their capacity to sacrifice for someone else
            - selfless service.

• A child who receives the above care will grow to become a blessing to the world.
• Without love and care children grow up as problems in the world, harming others around them.
• So love that child- you'll be giving a blessing to the world. 
• HIV has created many orphans in need of love and care.

           

Look beyong your career

Do you know

• A teacher who builds houses
• A doctor who does paving
• A plumber who cooks and bakes
• An electrician who paints . . .

Take note:

• Human potential is limitless. You were meant to multi-task
• Become versatile, accept that challenge
• Be bold- learn and practice skills that interest you
• Don't let your career hold you back
• You live your life once- Live it to the fullest!

Watch that smooth operator:

A smooth operator is a relative stranger who

• looks smart and is dressed in the latest fashion
• pays compliments without meaning it
• appears interested in everything that you say
• always says the things that you want to hear
• appears to be very knowledgeable about everything
• is very confident about himself or herself

If you notice such a person, BE CAREFUL!!! He/she wants something from you!

So many time saving devices ,yet still no time!

- We have . Vacuum cleaners to clean.
                 . Machines to wash and dry.
                 . Computers to do everything else.

-Yet there's not enough time to . Spend with family and friends.
                                                . Read that book.
                                                . Write that letter.
                                                . Walk in the park.
                                                . Watch the sunset.
                                                .Do all the things we love to do.
- Stop! . You have become a slave of time.
            . Slow down .Make time for the things you love.
            . Let time be your slave.

'THANK YOU' - The key to success.

- Develop an attitude of gratitude!
- Begin by appreciating all that you have or have achieved.Say THANK YOU for  :
     .Your eyesight.hearing and good health.
     . All the beautiful trees and flowers you see around you.
     . Your family, friends and relatives.
     . The successes you've enjoyed.
     . The food you eat.
     . Everything that makes life worth living.
- With every THANK YOU ,life becomes more blissful.Try it!

COP 17 needs COPS

While our environmentalists debate ways to reduce man's carbon footprint,the world's unconcerned mass continue to increase it.

The most effective way forward is for the United Nations to compel governments to police the process through legislation which :
- Enforces recycling.
- Reduces pollution.
- Promotes healthy living : Diet ,Exercise ,Recreation etc.
- Reduces energy consumption.
- etc.   ...

At the same time intensive grassroots education programmes on the issue must begin.

Otherwise COP 17 will go down in history as a useless exercise!

Depressed ? Hug that tree -go on ...

When life's challenges become a little too much to bear,hug that tree trunk ,share your burden.You may be surprised by the results. Trees are living beings that :
   
   .Exude positive energy.
   .Miraculously neutralize the negative energies within us like anxiety ,sadness, anger, etc.
   .Provide so many of our needs :oxygen,food, shade ...etc.

-Talk to trees,share your pain ,feel the relief.
-Learn generosity from trees.They give unconditionally and expect nothing in return.
Trees are perfection personified.

The race is on

-Racing to  : .Find that cure for AIDS.
                      .Find another planet to sustain human life.
                      .Find alternative energy sources.
                      .Beat that rush hour traffic.
                      .Meet that deadline.
                      .Get that shopping done...the list is endless.
-Stop sometimes.Live in the moment -appreciate the wonder of life:Birds flying across the sky,
 the sound of trees rustling in the breeze, a field of wild flowers,the fragrance of newly cut grass...

-Remember  'Life is not measured by those breaths you take,but by those moments that take your breath away.'

Plan that baby...

Then you will :
  -Look forward to the birth.
  -Love the baby unconditionally.
  -Enjoy spending money on him/her.
  -Happily stay up at night when needed.
  -Ensure the good health of the child.
  -Make plans for the baby's future.
  - Sacrifice your time and energy willingly for the child.
  -You will want to share all the child's growing experiences.
Such babies grow up to be happy adults who will contribute to a happy world!

Pick it up- Reveal your loving nature

- People are naturally king and loving

- so pick up-

• that banana peel so no one slips and falls
• that plastic packet before it pollutes the earth and sea
• that broken glass and prevent someone getting cut
• that nail on the road and prevent a tire getting punchered.
• that food, so no one tramps it
• anything that can cause harm.

Love shows itself in so many ways. How loving are you???

Enemies and Friends...

 To become your enemy, that person must have been your friend at some stage.


Restore and strengthen friendship by: 

• Remembering the things that brought you'll together
• Being forgiving and understanding
• Discussing the issues that caused the problem
• Respecting each others view points
• Developing Trust and Tolerance
• Giving more than you take.

FRIENDS ARE WORTH IT!!!

OH Baby!

At birth, babies announce themselves with a cry.

Ever wondered why they do not laugh?

Consider what they have to face:

• A world where people are too busy most of the time
• Increasing crime and violence 
• Poverty and child abuse
• Climate changes- Earth quakes and hurricanes
• Everyone judging everyone else
• Increasing ill-health and death
• Large scale pollution
• The list goes on...

Wouldn't you cry as well?

Do your bit  to improve our world. Together, anything is possible. 

The Three Lettered Word that changes Lives

YES!!!

• Grab those opportunities by saying Yes.
• If someone needs help, say Yes
• When facing challenges, say Yes
• When your time and energy are needed, say Yes
• Facing new experiences. say Yes

You will be surprised what YES can do. A life of success and satisfaction begins with  the word YES...

You're Beautiful.

-When you look in the mirror and see a beautiful reflection,take joy in it.

-Soon the hands of time will bring wrinkles and lines to mar that outwardly beautiful appearance.

-Don't despair!Look deeper,past that image in the mirror and see that beautiful person that time has moulded :
  Kind,Compassionate ,Loving,...the list goes on.

-A beautiful person ,loved by everyone.A person you are proud to be.The person the hands of time have shaped.

TAKE JOY IN THAT

TV vs HIV

TV.  teaches people through the various programmes  :
  .Violent behaviour and murder.
  .Rape.
  .Having several sexual partners is normal.
  .Etc.
NOTE :All the above are against the culture of ethics and morality.

HIV. teaches through illness and death :
  .Take care of your body.
  .Raping someone will make you HIV + .
  .You MUST know the status of your sexual partner.Rather wait till you are ready for a serious relationship.
NOTE : HIV. forces people to lead a moral lifestyle.

LESSON : Note the ill effects of TV.

Dogs teach us.

-If you are ever insulted and called a dog,say 'THANK YOU'.
-We have so much to learn from dogs.
   .Dogs love their human family unconditionally.
   .Even if ill treated ,dogs lovingly welcome/protect their family.
   .They respond willingly to the owners call.
   .They stay awake all night to keep everyone safe.
   .They give loving supportive company when needed.
   .They eat what you give them and appreciate it.
   .They are intelligent and are trained in so many ways to benefit people.

-If we could give back half the love dogs give us, we would become saints.

Real Strength

When a fight is provoked, who is stronger?
  1. Person A ,who wants to fight?  OR

  2.Person B, who walks away? 

Consider the outcomes.
1.Person A and person B are injured.Both fighters are still angry.The problem is not resolved.
2.No one is injured. The problem is forgotten.

What can we learn?
1.Showing physical strength does not solve problems.
2.Showing strength of mind ,by walking away,solves problems.

Trees and Fruit

Ever wondered why the huge trees have such little fruit???

Look at the towering oak tree, it produces such small acorns.

The creeper on the ground produces gigantic watermelons.

Just imagine if a water melon grew on an oak tree. If a watermelon fell down on a person or animal, they would probably be killed or seriously injured.

Hence our creator is very wise:):):)

Pure is good

-Start by eating only pure food,food that is not processed.
-Think only pure thoughts,thoughts that are positive.Here's how :
   .Become alert to your thoughts.
   .Only process loving thoughts, thoughts that make you smile and fill your heart with joy.
   .When the thought makes you angry or sad,push it out of your mind by replacing it with a happy memory.Keep a stock of fun experiences ready for such times.
-Purity of body and mind will make you blissful and spread it to those around you.

Anger harms

Research :When a person experiences anger,the body produces an enzyme that damages the immune system,thus rendering that person more prone to disease.

Lesson :Try not to get angry.Remember that no one is perfect and practice forgiveness.

A Perfect world

-All of living creation need each other to make a perfect world.

Eg. -Worms decompose all waste and form fertilizer for plants.
      -Insects pollinate flowers to form fruit.

-Appreciate all living things.They form part of our magnificent ecosystem.

An old folk tale

Two newly married women, neighbours, each longed to have a child.God decided to test them and on an auspicious day sent two dogs ,one to each house.

Both women had prepared a feast.The dogs entered and helped themselves to the food.Woman A was furious and hit the dog so hard that one of its legs broke.Woman B welcomed the dog,feeling blessed that this unknown animal had visited her.

The dogs returned to heaven and presently both women were blessed with a baby boy.The child of woman A was sickly and died before his tenth birthday.God had decreed that she was not a fit mother.

The child of woman B was healthy and handsome and grew to be a wonderful son who cherished both his parents. 

Choose good health

Your body, mind and intellect form a magnificent masterpiece , to be cherished.So ....

-Be fussy about your diet.
-Enjoy any sport you like,get that body moving.
-Keep the company of people you love.
-Sleep till you are completely rested.
-Pamper yourself ,you deserve it.
-In times of silence,focus on the wonderful things in your life.Count all your blessings-feel the gratitude.

Let life be as phenomenal as it was meant to be!

Laughter...

Laughter is such a wonderful sound

Bringing joy to everyone around

So infectious ,it fills the mind

With happy thoughts you will find.

So much fun and funny things

You will note that each day brings

Share that joke, spread the fun

Laughter ensures life’s battle’s won.

Pull each other away from gloom

Where we tend to rant and fume

Help each other to laugh aloud

So it spreads throughout the crowd.

For laughter is the potent cure

Destroying all disease, for sure.

EXPECT GREAT THINGS...

Huge trees start off as tiny seeds...

All great happenings in history started of as a single idea that someone believed in and worked towards.


Every wonderful invention started as a single thought/idea.


Believe in yourself and your ideas and follow your instinct- YOU WILL ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS!!!

Fish and Chips OR Chops????

When praying, its like you are placing an order with God...

Imagine that you are in a restaurant with a friend. Your friend orders fish and chips while you order chops and chips.

Now you friends order comes through quickly because we all know that fish and chips is quick quick compared to well done chops.

Now your friends fish and chips is here and you are longing for it. . . . . . .

Moral of the story....

You prayed for something from God, you wanted it well done, you wanted it well prepared, but the problem now is that you can't wait for what God has prepared for you because you are longing for what God has prepared for others...

Let us pray to God and place our orders and our prayers will be answered AT THE RIGHT TIME.

God has prepared a destiny for each and every individual so WHY DON'T WE WAIT FOR OUR CHOPS?????

-Anonymous

Perception...

The human body is a wonderful machine.

Take time to:

• feel the sunshine on your skin
• watch the clouds float across the sky
• listen to the birds chirping in the trees
• drink in the beauty of the flowers and the trees

Become conscious of all the beautiful experiences the world has to offer- made possible by you perception. 

Hidden Beauty...

Notice how ordinary light can transform itself into beautiful colours of the rainbow???

Like wise each of us has a limitless supply of beautiful qualities which will reveal itself when the conditions are perfect.

Create these perfect conditions by surrounding yourself with the people and the things that you love.

When there is love in your heart,your rainbow will reveal itself.

Believe in your dreams...

Your dreams are thoughts that God puts into your head.

Trust those thoughts, believe in them.

As you believe, they will begin to manifest.

Feel the joy as though your dreams came true.

REMEMBER: All wonderful things began with a dream :-)

Flowers...

Nature’s gift of inspiring beauty

Bestowing abundance is its duty

Every flower a work of art

Color and fragrance is all a part.

Face upturned it drinks the rays

Ethereal body dances and sways

Enticing the eye – perfection complete

A sight to behold – an infinite treat.

Day upon day spent in giving

Asking nothing from the living

Occasions abound – its presence a must

Bestowing messages from sorrow to lust.

What perfection and beauty must its creator possess

For this, our earth, with such wonders to bless.

Diet

Ever noticed how animals in the wild don't get sick like we do ??

They know instinctively what to eat.

Lions eat raw meat. Their teeth and digestive system is suited for the digestion of flesh.

Cows eat grass, so the digestive system is suited for this.

Monkeys eat fruit, and so their digestive system is suited to their diet.

Mans digestive system and teeth are very similar to the monkey and other primates.

Mans should include mainly friut and vegetables in his diet.

If he craves other foods, he should eat these in extreme moderation knowing that such foods are bound to cause some form of ill-health.

Tongue. . .

• Flexible and slippery
• It craves the food that causes ill health, making taste a priority when eating.
• It supports talking and noise, often hurting people's feelings with harsh words.

TAKE CONTROL: 

• Decisions about food must be based on good health
• Speak little, Speak pleasantly or not at all. 

Good God, Evil Devil...

Notice how God comes from the word Good and devil comes from the word evil.

All energies utilized to uplift and do Good must be Godly.

Likewise all your energies that are used to destroy, harm others and do evil is devilish.

therefore think before you act. let your actions benefit others. You will be loved.

Always speak kindly. If you have nothing good to say, stay silent.

Child VS Man :

Behold the Child:

• Blissfully naked
• Trusting everyone
• Spontaneously responsive
• Free from worry
• Fearless

Behold the Man :

• Dressed in the latest fashion
• Suspicious of everyone
• Planning each response
• So many worries
• Fearful

CONCLUSION: MAN HAS SO MUCH TO LEARN FROM THE CHILD. 

Friends. . .

How good a friend are you?

• Friends love and trust each other completly
• Friends share secrets and special experiences. 
• Friends make sacrifices for each other
• Friends accept each other as they are- They never try and change each other
• Friends inspire and forgive each other
• Friendship lasts a life time

Remember:

• All  the people you interact with may not be your friends.They may just be acquaintances
• One or two good friends are all a person needs to be happy.

So cherish friendship. IT IS WORTH IT!

Lead like a Leader. . .

The quality of a society depends on the quality of its leaders.

Successful leaders:

• Are motivated and inspired by their position
• Apply policies farily to all.
• Foster team spirit by setting a good example to the team and building trust
• Have strength of character and high moral values. They foster good relations in a team.
• Work hard to achieve the objectives of the team.
• Appreciate criticism as a means of empowerment for the team. Readily accept suggestions. 

BECOME A LEADER. HELP SHAPE SOCIETY!

Live in the moment...

Time moves on so rapidly.

 We only see the evidence of time that has elapsed. The faded photographs, our changing looks in the mirror...

It is not possible to experience time. We can only experience each moment in time.

Live each moment to the fullest. Feel the joy, the love and the happiness each moment brings.

Do the things that you love to do.

Try to spend each moment with the people you love.

Fill those silent moments with happy and blissful thoughts.

MAKE LIFE A PHENOMENAL EXPERIENCE!!!

Because . . . .

Note how often we use the word 'because'. This word gives the reason for things that have happened. 

There is a cause for every effect. For example, when you plant carrot seeds, you expect carrots to grow, not lettuce.

Likewise with our actions. When you harm someone, expect someone to harm you.

Therefore be kind, helpful and supportive to others. They will be equally good to you.

Through your good deeds, you will be an example and role model to others, especially children who learn by watching and imitating.

This way you can make our world a better place for all.

The company you keep...

Put one rotten tomato in a box of good tomatoes, and what happens? All the tomatoes get rotten after a while.

Likewise, the company you keep will influence you in some way or the other. Therefore choose your friends with great care.

Make sure they have the qualities you admire and appreciate in a person. 

Avoid people that your consider to be negative(bad habits or bad personality) as these people will influence you for the worse.

This is a simple way of ensuring your happiness. 

Mind and Intellect..

The mind maybe compared to a child and the intellect to the parent.

The mind only wants to have fun, not concerned of the consequences. The intellect is the voice of caution.

Listen to your intellect, be cautious, that when you have fun, you do not hurt other people's feelings or cause harm to anyone.

Remember, a good person is loved by all, so listen to the voice of your intellect.

Love Yourself :)

Through the choices you have made in the course of your life, you have created the person that you are. So be proud of yourself.

As you begin to appreciate to who you are and love yourself, you will also begin to love everyone around you, for they have helped shape who you are.

Remember- You are because they are. 

Caterpillars & Butterflies

Caterpillars, such ugly scruffy things

You crawl along so erratic and slow

Yet soon you have such silken wings

To glide so gracefully to and fro.

And so with man it could be said,

Ugliness within is but a phase

For with time it can be shed

To reveal such beauty worthy of praise.

If we could only take the time,

Assess our thoughts and actions each day

We will remove all the ugliness and grime

To reveal a person pure in every way.

To this end let us live our life

Caring for others, ending all strife.

Wondreful Mind

Through the mind we perceive the duality of this world - good and bad, rich and poor, exciting and boring etc. It is only when you experience the one, that you can appreciate the other.

Example: A rich person will never appreciate his wealth unless he has experienced poverty.

A blissful person will not appreciate his bliss unless he has known anxiety and depression.

The capability of the mind is limitless and only through hard work and determination, can one appreciate the satisfaction of his achievement.

The Mind- The Garden...

The mind is like a garden...

The weeds are the negative thoughts which make you unhappy and destroy your garden. All thoughts relating to anger, hatred, frustration and depression are negative. Throw them out of your mind, just the way you would weed your garden.

Positive thoughts  like love, compassion and kindness are the beautiful flowers in your garden. Nurture  these flowers are watch you life blossom before your very eyes.

THE SENSES:

The most beneficial fragrance to man is Oxygen - Notice NO Smell

The most beneficial drink for man is Water - Notice NO Taste

The most beneficial sound to man is Silence- to meditate and connect with God - Notice NO Sound

Learn not to trust your senses. You will evolve tremendously.  

Power of Silence

Have you ever consciously taken note of the thoughts as they enter your mind. Try it some time. Notice that there is never a moment when your mind is without a thought. It is these thoughts that are responsible for the feelings that we experience.

If you want to be happy, only allow positive thoughts into your mind. These thoughts will allow you to articulate positive pleasant words which result in positive and pleasant actions. Thus happiness gets spread around to others. You become the generator of happiness.

Make today the beginning of a new you-conscious of all you think, shunning any negative thought, embracing positivity. Thus you will become a blessing to the world. 

Learning From Nature

Life on earth should be a learning experience. Mother Nature is the teacher, we are her pupils.

Take the son. Learn Punctuality. Sunrise and sunset keep to time. The sun doesn't forget to rise or set.

Look to the trees.

• various species live in harmony side by side in a forest for generations.
• they work hard to produce fruit and give it all away.
• they exude positive energy, keeping you cool when its hot.
• it does not retaliate when its flowers and branches are broken.
• it purifies the air by absorbing carbon-dioxide and replenishing oxygen. 
• hug a tree, feel your emotional dilemmas melt away.

Smile!

Just as the sun breaks through the clouds,
To spread its spectacular rays,
So that smile breaks that frown, so proud,
Bringing lustre and joy in so many ways.

Friendships blossom when a smile is there,
Inspiring all to love and care.
Replacing negative with positive thought,
Building relations as is sought.

A smile becomes a happy face,
Radiant with beauty and grace.
Reflecting a quiet confidence within,
To face life's challenges and win.

Continue to smile that beautiful smile.
Light up your spirit for as long a while.