“All the days of the afflicted one are bad; but the one that is good at heart has a feast constantly.” —King Solomon.
WHAT do those words mean? They refer to one’s mental and emotional state. “The afflicted one” dwells on the negative —an outlook that makes his days “bad,” or dismal. By contrast, the one who “is good at heart” tries to focus on the positive —an attitude that fosters inner joy, giving him “a feast constantly.”
Truth is, we all have problems that can rob us of a measure
of happiness. Yet, we may be able to do certain things that help us to
retain our joy through difficult times. Consider the following:
- Do not let anxieties over tomorrow weigh you down today. As challenging as it may sound, its possible!
- Try to focus on the good things that have happened to you. In fact, when you feel down (which will happen from time to time), why not make a list of those good things and reflect on them? Also, do not dwell on past mistakes or bad deeds. Learn from them, and MOVE ON. Be like a driver who glances into his rearview mirror but does not focus on it.
- When anxieties weigh you down (trust me, this will also happen), confide in someone who may be able to cheer you up. “Anxious care” causes our heart “to bow down, but the good word is what makes it rejoice,” That “good word” may come from a family member or a trusted friend
—someone who is not cynical or pessimistic but “is loving all the time.” So, why not prepare yourself a delicious healthy food or order some if you can't cook, do some justice to it and round it up a glass of wine. Oh! you can invite friends to join. :-)