A man in ancient Greece, in order to save his bees a laborious flight many miles away to gather nectar, decided he would help them out. He cut their wings and gathered flowers for them to work with at home. The result? They made no honey.
The very source of life is closed to those who do not work. To be at home in the world we must do with our whole heart whatever our hands find to do. Work, well performed, promotes a healthy mind and a healthy body. It makes us at peace with the created world and its Creator.
The delight of achieving something has a positive effect upon every human being. Joy is found in the growth that comes from one’s own efforts. Never take away from others the incentive to self-development which comes through work and achievement. No real self-respect comes until we learn to work and to work well.
Are you sitting on the sidelines of life, wistfully watching others accomplish the things you would like to do? Do you have goals and desires that you feel hopeless about? You can help yourself to a new and better life if you take on an “I can” attitude.
You have great power and potential. Instead of being wistful and hopeless, decide right now that you will be an active participant in life. No more sitting on the sidelines. God has given you capacities you haven’t yet discovered.
By embracing a positive “I can” and “I will” approach, you open yourself to new possibilities, new ways of doing things, new things to do. Determine now to live life to the fullest.
Is there some goal you have not yet attained? Is there a desire that remains unfulfilled? Perhaps you have not paid the price for it. When we go into a store we pay for any items we take home. Likewise, success has a price, which consists of discipline, concentration, and—most of all—faith. Success does not come through daydreaming alone, but through deep desire and effort.
What is your deepest desire? Isn’t it worth paying the price to obtain it? If so, turn your mind and heart to it. God gave you the idea and God will also give you all of the courage, stamina, and patience required to develop it fully. Stick with your desire, for it surely will be a blessing!
Are you a cheerful, joyous person? To take on an attitude of joy and cheerfulness at the beginning of your day is to color your day beautiful and good and worthwhile.
A cheerful spirit makes our tasks easier, our bodies healthier, our minds more keen and alert.
To be cheerful and joyous is to add happiness to every person we meet. We serve as a blessing to others, so we in turn receive blessings.
Decide to be a cheerful, joyous person today—making yourself a clear, receptive channel through which the divine power of God works.
What are you seeing today? Do your eyes behold the beauty and goodness of God all around you?
Blessed are your eyes as they see best in others, and quickly notice that which is true, lovely, and good.
Blessed are your eyes as they behold the endless possibilities of life—staying alert to its wonders and appreciating its beauties.
Blessed are your eyes as they look beyond appearances and behold the divine pattern at the heart of things.
Your eyes are the windows through which you look at God’s creation. Will you, like God, behold that it is good?