Many people
believe happiness is measured in material terms: a
house, money, lots of clothes. Others believe it's
found in enjoyable moments: a sunset, dinner with
friends, a walk in the woods.
Although
happiness is all these things, it's also the feeling
we get when we have achieved something we've longed
for and worked hard for. Happiness can be a personal
victory.
To be victorious doesn't mean we have to win. It can
mean we've gone beyond an expected outcome and
gained more than we hoped for. There have been times
when we've experienced victory: passing a test,
buying our first car, graduating from college,
landing a job, living on our own.
But all
victories don't have to be big. They can be as small
and insignificant as losing a few pounds, going a
few hours without a drink or other drug, not arguing
with a family member, or taking an hour for
ourselves.
Big or small, our victories are our happiness. Each
one shows us we can do what we set out to do. Each
helps build confidence in our abilities and is a
boon to our self-esteem.
With
each victory, we can be assured there will be
another.
We
crucify ourselves between two thieves: regret
for yesterday and fear of tomorrow.
-- Fulton Oursler
Some women who had been
victims of violence
banded together to take back the night in a series
of public demonstrations.
Rather than hold regret
over the violence or their fear of what might
happen, they chose to live in the moment with no
fear or regrets.
Tonight we can take back
the night from our own fears.
This can mean easing
our minds from the stress of the day so we can have
a peaceful sleep.
It can mean letting
go of any fearful thoughts so we're at peace in our
homes.
It can mean blocking
out crazy thoughts that will make us toss and turn.
This night is ours. It's
our time for uninterrupted sleep, pleasant dreams,
and gentle rest for our weary bodies.
When
you pray for God's guidance, don't complain when
it is different from your preference.
--
Our Daily Bread
When we were
children we sat on Santa's lap with our lists, or
asked the tooth fairy for more money, or begged the
Easter Bunny for more candy, or prayed to God for
that shiny red bike we wanted.
Yet we
usually ended up with things we didn't even ask for,
but needed, like warm jackets and winter boots or
pajamas.
Today we
may still pray to God for things we want. Maybe not
shiny red bikes, but shiny new cars, more money,
better jobs, greater security, or the health of
loved ones.
Our
prayers might not be answered in the way we'd like
them to be. We may never win a lottery, we may lose
a promotion, or we may experience the death of a
loved one.
Yet what
we are given is what God feels we need. Though we
may be sad or disappointed, those things help us
grow in the way we need. Sometimes we may get just
what we pray for, and that's wonderful.
But if
we don't get what we ask for, we must remember that
what we get is the gift God feels we need.
