PEACE OF MIND As a young man, I wrote a list of earthly desirables I wished to possess. They were, health, love, beauty, talent, power, riches and fame, and several minor ingredients of what I considered man's perfect portion.
I proudly showed this list to a wise elder who had been a mental and spiritual idol in my youth. His reply was "An excellent list, but it appears that you have omitted the most important element of all. You have forgotten the one ingredient lacking which each possession becomes a hideous torment, and your list as a whole, an intolerable burden."
"And what" I asked, "is that missing ingredient?"
With a pencil, he crossed out my entire list. Then, having demolished my adolescent dream structure in a single stroke, he wrote down three words.... "This is the gift God reserves for His special proteges. Talent and beauty he gives to many. Wealth is commonplace, fame not rare. BUT, peace of mind---that is His final reward of approval, the fondest sign of His love. Most men are never blessed with it, others wait all their lives for this gift to descend upon them. This is no private opinion of mine. I am merely paraphrasing from the Psalmists, Marcus Aurelius and Lao-tse. 'God, Lord of the universe says each of these wise men heap worldly gifts at the feet of foolish men. But on my head pour only the sweet waters of serenity. Give me the gift of the Untroubled Mind'."
At that time I found it difficult to believe the wisdom of my friend. But a quarter of a century of personal experience and professional observation has served to confirm his utterance. I have come to understand that peace of mind is the characteristic mark of God Himself, and that it has always been the true goal of the considered life. I know now that the sum of all other possessions does not necessarily add up to PEACE OF MIND, yet, on the other hand, I have seen this inner tranquility flourish without the material supports of property. Slowly, painfully, I have learned that PEACE OF MIND may transform a cottage into a spacious mansion; the want of it can make a regal park an imprisoning nutshell. AND SO IT GOES......
-Author is unknown- I also want to thank Debbie for allowing me to be one of the first to show off this beautiful background she made. Make sure you check out all her other lovely work, including stationery at
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