There is no one person as intimately involved in your life as your marriage partner. So, your partner will make you more conscious of your inner life than anyone else. How are you contributing to happiness in your marriage?
Attitude
[Read more…]Indestructible Happiness
A line of research concerning a group of young people called “indestructibles” was once reported in a leading psychological journal.
These indestructibles lived under extreme poverty, and came from very bad home conditions that were located in slum neighborhoods. Yet, they were well-adjusted and good students.
That research got me to thinking of some people I’ve met in my life who fit the description of “indestructibles.”
It is true that we cannot prevent troublesome or sorrowful events from intruding into our lives. But some people live heartily, joyfully and considerately one day at a time. They rely on their power of choice, whether their problems are solved today or not.
Freedom from Others
Does your serenity, peace of mind, and joy depend upon a choice another person makes?
Think of your favorite person. They have good points and faults. You don’t have problems with their strengths, but when they won’t do something that’s important to you, you have a choice to make. One of your options is to resent them, become bitter, and/or dwell on the fact that there’s some little thing this person isn’t doing that you want them to do, and it can ruin your relationship.
[Read more…]The Trouble with Hiding Your Feelings
Are you feeling hurt, furious and mad as can be, because of a circumstance or a person? But when you are asked “How are you?” you smile and say “I’m fine.”
For some reason, we think that Christianity is to control our emotions. We think “As long as I don’t let my anger show, I’m being a good Christian.” Unfortunately, holding it in isn’t dealing with it. The Christian life isn’t a matter of improving your acting ability. It’s a matter of yielding yourself to God’s Spirit, in whatever circumstances you might find yourself.
Getting Along with Others
Getting along with others is often difficult because we each have our own personal issues to deal with. Sometimes, we find we are unable to do what we really need to do.
The one key factor that will enable you to do the things you should is to make sure your spiritual life is in good condition. If you neglect it, you’ll grow cold, and that will leave you feeling sadly empty inside.