"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."
-- Confucius
***
Oh, the simple things in life! Why is it that we have a tendency to make things so much more complicated than need be? We make things more complicated when we are no longer true to ourselves. Things become complicated when we try to keep up with the Jones’, or when we live according to someone else’s standards/definitions. Life becomes complicated when make decisions that are inconsistent with our very being. Shakespeare said it best, "to thine self be true."
Recently, I had what I thought was difficult decision to make. The more I thought about it, the more complicated the decision making process became. I wrestled with the decision for quite some time. Just when I thought I was at a mental/emotional impasse, behold! I had an epiphany. I wrote down my top five values in order of importance. Right there, right then, the right decision was starring me in the face.
When everything was said and done, I made the right decision; right because I was being true to thine self. The decision was consistent with what was most important to me. When you make decisions and live your life according to your values, life becomes simple. It becomes simple because the Jones’ no longer have influence in your life. They have moved and taken up residency somewhere else. Life becomes simple when you don’t allow someone else, the media, or mainstream society to tell you how to act or who to be. Being true to what is really important in your life is liberating; being liberated, life becomes simple.
I find it interesting that life’s most important things can actually be life’s simple things. If you want out of the confusion, chaos and complexity of everyday life, simplicity is right around the corner. It is simple – be true to thine own self and simplicity will follow.
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Can Money Buy You Happiness?
No man can become rich without himself enriching others."
-- Andrew Carnegie
***
Money gets a bad rap. You have heard it said before, “Money is the root of all evil.” Money is not the root of evil things. It is the love of and obsession of money that can bring forth and perpetuate evil thoughts and actions. So there you have it; money, in of, and by itself is neither good, nor evil. Money is just an entity that stores value. It is the value that we place on money that is the determining factor. It is true that the obsession of money and acquiring wealth has ruined lives, families, businesses and organizations. It is also true that the giving of money to those in need has saved lives, families, businesses and organizations.
The world is full of well-known philanthropists who amassed fortunes only to give it away for the betterment of mankind. The names of Rockefeller, Buffet, Ford and Carnegie come to mind. It was Andrew Carnegie who stated, “The rich have a moral obligation to be benevolent.” Carnegie’s story is a “rags to riches” tale. Carnegie was born 1835 in Scotland, and grew up in poverty. Carnegie once wrote, “ I began to learn what poverty meant. It was burnt into my heart then that my father had to beg for work. And then and there came the resolve that I would cure that when I got to be a man." At the age of 12, the Carnegie family moved to the United States. Carnegie vowed that if he ever became rich, he would give his fortune away. Andrew Carnegie did become wealthy. In fact, he become one the richest entrepreneurs of his age. Carnegie amassed a fortune as a pioneer in the American steel industry. By 1911, Carnegie had formed numerous foundations, resulting in the giving away of 90 percent of his fortune.
Everyday, not so well known people give to those in needs; it could be some spare change to a homeless person, a gift of money to a support a family who lost their home to a fire, purchasing a benefit dinner ticket for a person with a serious illness, or making a donation to a worthwhile charity or foundation.
So now, I pose the question: Can money buy happiness? I say, yes! Money can make you happy; not by acquiring wealth, power, and material possessions, but by the giving of money to others. In order to experience happiness, the giving must be without the expectation of something in return. Have you ever noticed how you experience a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction when you give money or one of your possessions to someone truly in need?
In a recent experiment, researchers from the University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School demonstrated a correlation between happiness and giving. Participants were given a $10 bill and were asked how much they would share with someone else. Those that gave away the most money reported higher levels of happiness.
There you have it; money can buy happiness. Money can bring happiness if it is given for the benefit of another. If you don’t believe me, take it from leading authority on giving: Jesus Christ. The Good Lord said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35.
***
It's your life: Live it, Love it & Celebrate it!
MJD
-- Andrew Carnegie
***
Money gets a bad rap. You have heard it said before, “Money is the root of all evil.” Money is not the root of evil things. It is the love of and obsession of money that can bring forth and perpetuate evil thoughts and actions. So there you have it; money, in of, and by itself is neither good, nor evil. Money is just an entity that stores value. It is the value that we place on money that is the determining factor. It is true that the obsession of money and acquiring wealth has ruined lives, families, businesses and organizations. It is also true that the giving of money to those in need has saved lives, families, businesses and organizations.
The world is full of well-known philanthropists who amassed fortunes only to give it away for the betterment of mankind. The names of Rockefeller, Buffet, Ford and Carnegie come to mind. It was Andrew Carnegie who stated, “The rich have a moral obligation to be benevolent.” Carnegie’s story is a “rags to riches” tale. Carnegie was born 1835 in Scotland, and grew up in poverty. Carnegie once wrote, “ I began to learn what poverty meant. It was burnt into my heart then that my father had to beg for work. And then and there came the resolve that I would cure that when I got to be a man." At the age of 12, the Carnegie family moved to the United States. Carnegie vowed that if he ever became rich, he would give his fortune away. Andrew Carnegie did become wealthy. In fact, he become one the richest entrepreneurs of his age. Carnegie amassed a fortune as a pioneer in the American steel industry. By 1911, Carnegie had formed numerous foundations, resulting in the giving away of 90 percent of his fortune.
Everyday, not so well known people give to those in needs; it could be some spare change to a homeless person, a gift of money to a support a family who lost their home to a fire, purchasing a benefit dinner ticket for a person with a serious illness, or making a donation to a worthwhile charity or foundation.
So now, I pose the question: Can money buy happiness? I say, yes! Money can make you happy; not by acquiring wealth, power, and material possessions, but by the giving of money to others. In order to experience happiness, the giving must be without the expectation of something in return. Have you ever noticed how you experience a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction when you give money or one of your possessions to someone truly in need?
In a recent experiment, researchers from the University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School demonstrated a correlation between happiness and giving. Participants were given a $10 bill and were asked how much they would share with someone else. Those that gave away the most money reported higher levels of happiness.
There you have it; money can buy happiness. Money can bring happiness if it is given for the benefit of another. If you don’t believe me, take it from leading authority on giving: Jesus Christ. The Good Lord said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35.
***
It's your life: Live it, Love it & Celebrate it!
MJD
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Stand By Me
"If the sky that we look upon Should tumble and fall
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me."
-- Written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, & Mike Stroller
***
The song Stand by Me was first performed by Ben E. King in 1961. Over the years it has been re-recorded by several artists and has become well known among both young and old. The song is a testament to the power of love. We will all experience adversity in our lives, but as long as you have someone standing by you, the power of love is sure to prevail. There are many people in our lives that need us to stand by them. Are you willing to be that person to stand by them? Or, have you become so preoccupied with your own life, that you don't have time or fail to recognize their need?
Ask yourself, who can I stand by today?
***
For the latest version of Stand By Me, visit www.playingforachange.org. The Playing For A Change organization is focused on promoting peace throughout the world through music. The video was made with various artists from all over the world.
***
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me."
-- Written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, & Mike Stroller
***
The song Stand by Me was first performed by Ben E. King in 1961. Over the years it has been re-recorded by several artists and has become well known among both young and old. The song is a testament to the power of love. We will all experience adversity in our lives, but as long as you have someone standing by you, the power of love is sure to prevail. There are many people in our lives that need us to stand by them. Are you willing to be that person to stand by them? Or, have you become so preoccupied with your own life, that you don't have time or fail to recognize their need?
Ask yourself, who can I stand by today?
***
For the latest version of Stand By Me, visit www.playingforachange.org. The Playing For A Change organization is focused on promoting peace throughout the world through music. The video was made with various artists from all over the world.
***
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)