How many times have you suffered from severe tribulations and vowed before God that if He saves you, you will do such and such? Do you abide by the pledges which you vow before God during your affliction?
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Characteristics of the Spiritual Path
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“Whatever happens around you, don’t take it personally… Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves.”
―Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom -
“If I’m mad at somebody, I’m probably just mad at myself.”
—Dave Chappelle, Equanimity & The Bird Revelation -
It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.
—St Teresa of Calcutta -
A bad word makes even good people bad, but a good word turns even bad people into good.
—Saint Macarius the ElderOur words have so much power, yet it’s so easy to say them without thinking.
Have you ever chosen to say something nice when you didn’t feel like it? What happened?
Like an oasis in the desert, a kind word can bring forth beauty.
Choose to say something good today and see what comes of it!
Edna King, One Good Thought: A Good Word is an Oasis
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Zooey: In the first place, you’re way off when you start railing at things and people instead of at yourself.
—Franny and Zooey, J.D. Salinger -
Remember that it is not he who reviles you or strikes you, who insults you, but it is your opinion about these things as being insulting. When then a man irritates you, you must know that it is your own opinion which has irritated you. Therefore especially try not to be carried away by the appearance. For if you once gain time and delay, you will more easily master yourself.
—Epictetus, Enchiridion
