Inspirational Gems

Don’t do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast; but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves (Phil 2:3).

Anyone who is proud or selfish is unable to show genuine love and respect for others. If we examine ourselves, on many counts others are better than we are. It needs humility to recognise this and to honour them. Selfish and boastful persons are neither truthful nor charitable, nor are they appreciated. Unselfishness and humility are great and admirable virtues.

—George Kaitholil

 

Spreading Sunshine

One of the most important qualities to be cultivated in domestic life is cheerfulness. As sunshine brings out the flowers and ripens the fruit, so does cheerfulness develop in us all the seeds of good—all that is best in us.

Cheerfulness is a duty we owe to others. There are some people whose heart-warming smile, the sound of whose cheerful voice, whose very presence, seems like a ray of sunshine bringing happiness to others.

We must all have our trials, and times will come when we feel clouded out of life, but others likewise must endure some clouds. Why should I help to cloud out their sunshine?

Constant cheerfulness can only be acquired by constant unselfishness, and arises from the determination to make ourselves ‘all things to all people’.

A kind, smiling face and a sunny temper scare away sadness and disarm criticism. They radiate happiness and win friendship wherever they go.

—J. Maurus