Promise Yourself

 

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you…

What is Tolerance?

Tolerance is giving every other human being the rights that you claim for yourself.

Tolerance is not indifference due to lack of conviction. Nor does it mean we agree or like what others do and say. But we recognize that others have the right to their own point of view and to be able to express themselves openly, provided they too practice tolerance. And we at least listen with respect.

 

Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.

Commitment does not mean we can no longer learn, and we can only learn by being open-minded. Any belief is a trap if it is no longer open to revision. Applying our own trap to others is the result of intolerance.

The highest result of education is tolerance. That is, education that teaches understanding and open-mindedness, not conformance to fixed belief systems.

Tolerance is the path to understanding.
If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges that each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance and care.

Tolerance of evil (i.e. doing deliberate harm) is misguided – but the fact is most people do the best they can with the best they know and are not evil, and the way forward therefore is tolerant and respectful communication to share understanding.

Since others have to tolerate my weaknesses, it is only fair that I should tolerate theirs.
Since we each have our weaknesses, mutual toleration brings us together, we learn to complement and support each other.  
Tolerance and celebration of individual differences is the fire that fuels lasting love.

Special Friends – Cheryl-Anne Kannemeyer

Into each life a little rain will fall,

but if you have a friend,

you can bear it all,

for a friend is an umbrella,

to hold above your head,

and help you think about,

the sunny days instead.

Into each life a little Sun will shine,

but if you have a friend,

it will always be fine,

for if you can share the sunny times,

with a friend that will be grand,

as you talk and walk together,

securely hand in hand.

Into each life a little wind will blow,

but if you have a friend,

to whom you can go,

your friend can help to guide to,

can help you make the choice,

by offering their view,

and adding a new choice.

Into each life like leaves

things will fall,

but if you have a friend,

that you know you can call,

they’ll always steer you clearly,

when their counsel’s sought,

for a friend is like a safety net,

in which you will be caught.

Into each life a friend will come to you,

for if you have a friend,

you’ll know what to do,

when a problem shows itself,

for a friend is there to share,

to offer an opinion,

and show that someone cares.

Into my life, my friend came as you,

for I know I have a friend,

to share experiences old or new,

in the rain, Sun, wind or fall,

who is loving, loyal and most true,

that sees my best qualities,

and knows I am their friend too.

Thank-you for all the times that you’ve been there for me!

A Lesson in Life

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without these small tests, if they be events, illnesses or relationships, life would be like a smoothly paved,straight, flat road to nowhere.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them. For they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to who you open your heart to.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.

Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either.

You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it!

Light and Blessings!

 

 

 

The Value of Friendship

A friend is someone you can be alone with, not able to think of anything to say and be comfortable in the silence.

Friendship is a relationship of affection, caring and sharing. Life is so much more relaxed and fun when you’re with a friend. And you don’t have to ‘make conversation’ – you don’t have to pretend.

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and be understood.

We love our friends not just because we like each other or are useful to each other, but because we share the same values and ideals for our society, and come together to advance those ideals.

Friendship means more than being an associate or casual acquaintance for a period of time. It’s a deeper connection and tends to last many years, even a lifetime, even when we are separated by circumstances. Because values are shared, we have important things in common, rather like family – even if in other ways we are quite different.

A special friend will always be there to help you. But the doors need to be open, and that’s not possible if you’re ashamed of yourself or unwilling to show your true feelings. So yes, friendship starts with yourself, opening the doors and caring about others. Then you won’t be short of friends.

The greatest sweetener of human life is friendship. To raise this to the highest pitch of enjoyment, is a secret which but few discover.

To develop friendship, we first need to recognize how we are blessed by the presence of empathic souls in our life. Appreciation and gratitude always raise our vibration, and attract happiness and fulfillment – and as a result our friendships connect at a high level.

True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island. To find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep them is a blessing.

As Jesse Herman Holmes said, “Beauty, truth, friendship, love, creation – these are the great values of life. We can’t prove them, or explain them, yet they are the most stable things in our lives.”

Optimism

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” ~ Helen Keller

Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do, but you can change your mind about that barrier. You can go as far as your mind lets you.

Be aware of what you are thinking now and support yourself with a more optimistic vision of the future. When you believe that vision is possible, you stand a good chance of achieving it.
Turn your face towards the sun and the shadows fall behind you. As Daisaku Ikeda said, “Hope transforms pessimism into optimism. Hope changes everything.”