HAPPINESS IS A BUTTERFLY!

Life is a great gift, and as we reach years of discretion, most of us naturally ask ourselves what should be the main object of our existence.Life is not to live merely, but to live well. There are some who live without any design at all, and only pass in the world like straws on a river: they do not go; they are carried. Life indeed must be measured by thought and action, not by time.It certainly may be, and ought to be, bright, interesting and happy. If we do our best; if we do not magnify trifling troubles; if we look resolutely, I do not say at the bright side of things, but things as they really are; if we avail ourselves of the manifold blessings which surround us; we cannot but feel that life is indeed a glorious inheritance.

If a man is unhappy, remember that his unhappiness is his own fault; for God had made all men to be happy. I am always content with that which happens; for I think that what God chooses is better than what I choose and let us not seek not that things which happen as we wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and we will have a tranquil flow of life.If we wish for anything which belongs to another, we may end up losing that which is our own. To avoid sympathy and wrap ourselves in a cold chain armour of selfishness, is to exclude ourselves from many of the greatest and purest joys of life. If we hope that life will only be filled with happiness, even events which look like misfortune, may often be turned good.

Think how much we have to be thankful for. Few of us appreciate the number of everyday blessings; we look on them as trifles, and yet "trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle".What would a blind man give to see the pleasant rivers and meadows and flowers and fountains ? So lets all be happy and thankful for what we are today!! Happiness, therefore is not a matter of choice but it is our duty!!

Prosperity and happiness do not by any means always go together. If a man has not got the elements of happiness in himself, he would not enjoy and appreciate the beauty and variety, the pleasures and interests of this world. To one man, the world is barren,dull,drab and superficial; to another rich, interesting, and full of meaning.Happiness is a thing to be practised, like a violin. If we take the right means it will come, but we must not seek it too curiously. Do not seek amusement, but be always ready to be amused. It is a great thing to make life a succession of pleasures, even if they be but little ones.

Happiness, therefore is a duty we owe to others. There are some people whose smile, the sound of whose voice, whose very presence seems like a ray of sunshine.Men never breakdown as long as they can keep themselves cheerful. Buxton says, "A merry heart is a continual feast".All wish, but few know, to enjoy themselves. They do not realise the dignity and delight of life.We cannot expect to avoid suffering and sorrow, but it rests with us whether we accept them cheerfully or submit gloomily. Wesley rightly said," I feel, but by God's grace I do not fret". Do not magnify small troubles into great trials. We take serious matters lightly, and light matters seriously.

We live in the world of flowers and trees and grass, rivers and lakes and seas, mountains and sunshine. Nature is bright to the bright, comforting to those who will accept comfort. Neither wealth or rank will ensure happiness. Without love, charity and peace of mind, we may be rich, great and powerful, but cannot be happy.

Notable Quotes

"The best man is he who tries to perfect himself, the happiest man is he who feels that he is perfecting himself" - Socrates

"I must die.But must I then die sorrowing?" - Seneca