Friday, March 18, 2011

wise words


"We tend to pursue happiness by trying to obtain things we lack. That's an iffy proposition, and it focuses all our attention on our own neediness. If we don't get what we want, we may end up feeling victimized, which predisposes us to anger and depression. Kindness and helpfulness, by contrast, generate positive circumstances from within. They give us a sense of efficacy we can't get from trying to control all the forces that impact our lives. Moreover, helping others tends to create one of the most powerful psychological conditions known to humankind: gratitude."

~ Martha Beck

[image source: here]
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2 comments:

The Merry said...

Good quote. I like it.
I would qualify it a bit -- helping people involves finding out what they need, not deciding what they should have and then grandly providing it. I've been "helped" by people that way before.

Huh. Mr. Word Verification tonight is: bully

Lee said...

So true. Thanks for adding even more wise words. :)