The most fundamental responsibility for every human person is to become a joyous person. To be happy or to be sad is the choice of individual person. Only when we are happy can we sprinkle joy in the hearts of one and all. The joy starts in the depth of every human being and this inner quality has to spread all over. Hence if we want to transform the world we first and foremost need to transform ourselves into joyous human beings.
It does not matter what we are pursuing in our life, whether it is education or any other social service, we are doing so because somewhere deep inside us there is a feeling that this is the will of God for us and that this will bring us happiness and same happiness and joy is transmitted into the hearts of those whom we meet. Every single action that we perform on this planet springs from an aspiration to be happy because it is the original nature.
This morning, the sun came up wonderfully well. The flowers blossomed, no stars fell down and the galaxies are functioning very well. Everything is in order. The whole cosmos is happening wonderfully well. This is the work of our God, the author of beauty and creation. The purpose of this creation is to give joy to us His creatures. Do we raise our hearts in thanks and praise to our loving Creator who loves and sustains us at every moment?
When we get up in the morning, the first thing we should do is smile. Smile because we woke up and God has given us one more day to live. So many millions of people who slept last night did not wake up today, but you and I woke up. Isn’t it great that we woke up? So smile because you woke up. Then look around and if there is someone, smile at them. For so many people are sad because someone dear to them did not wake up or are suffering with various illness. You may think this is ridiculous, but you will know the reality of it when someone dear to you doesn’t wake up. Don’t wait till then to realize the value of it. It is not something ridiculous, this is the most valuable thing that you are alive and everything that matters to you is alive.
At present, the quality of your life is not determined by the clothes that you wear, the educational qualifications that you carry, the family background that you come from or the bank balances that you hold. Rather, the quality of your life depends upon how peaceful and joyous you are within yourself. Definitely, somebody who does not have food and who is deprived of the basic needs for survival can be physically miserable. Most people are miserable not because of what they don’t have. It is simply because they are comparing themselves with someone else. All those people who depend on external situations to be happy will never know true joy in their lives. We need to look inward and see how to create personal wellbeing. From our own experience of life we can clearly see that true wellbeing will come to us only if your interiority changes.
Here I remember a story which I read some time ago and I would like to narrate so that it helps us to be joyful and spread this joy to others. In a small village, in the valley, lived a man who was always happy, kind, and well disposed to everyone he met. He always smiled, and had kind and encouraging words to say, whenever it was necessary. Everyone who met him left the place feeling better, happier and elated. People knew they could count on him, and regarded him as a great friend.
One of the village dwellers was curious to know what his secret was, and how he could always be so kind and helpful. He wondered how is it that he held no grudge toward anyone, and always was happy. Once, upon meeting him in the street he asked him: "Most people are selfish and unsatisfied. They do not smile as often as you do; neither are they as helpful or kind as you are. How do you explain it?"
The man smiled at him and replied, "When you make peace with yourself, you can be in peace with the rest of the world. If you can recognize the spirit in yourself, you can recognize the spirit in everyone, and then you find it natural to be kind and well disposed to all. If your thoughts are under your control, you become strong and firm. The personality is like a robot programmed to do certain tasks. Your habits and thoughts are the tools and programs that control your personality. Become free from being programmed, and then the inner good and the happiness that reside within you will be revealed."
"But a lot of work is necessary. Good habits have to be developed. The ability to concentrate and to control the thoughts has to be strengthened. The work is difficult and endless. There are many walls that need to be climbed. It is not an easy task." Lamented the villager.
"Do not think about the difficulties, otherwise this is what you will see and experience. Just quieten your feelings and thoughts, and try to stay in this peace. Just try to be calm, and do not let yourself be carried away by your thoughts."
"Is that all?" Asked the villager.
"Try to watch your thoughts and see how they come and go. Stay in the quietness that arises. The moments of peace will be brief at first, but in time they will get longer. This peace is also strength, power, kindness, and love. In time, you will realize that you are one with the Universal Power, and this will lead you to act from a different dimension - point of view - consciousness, not from the selfish, small, limited ego."
"I will try to remember your words," said the villager, and continued, "There is another thing that I am curious about. You do not seem to be influenced by the environment. You have a kind word for everyone, and you are helpful. People treat you well, and never exploit your goodness."
"Being good and being kind do not necessarily point to weakness. When you are good, you can also be strong. People sense your inner strength, and therefore, do not impose on you. When you are strong and calm inside, you help people, because you can, and you want to. You act from strength, not from weakness. Goodness is not a sign of weakness, as some people erroneously think. It can manifest together with power and strength."
"Thank you very much for your advice and explanations", said the villager, and went away happy and satisfied. Let us remember this little advice of the village dweller and make life a joyful witness by strengthening oneself from within. Be calm and allow the Spirit to take possession of us. For this let us rely on God’s grace and strength.
Sister M.Carmel Rita A.C. (1522)
Provincial House, St. Ann’s Convent
