#1@DOVE Philosophy of Happiness
Often time, we get upset because of the highly coveted skills, possessions and aptitudes that we don’t have. Sometimes, we might excessively crave about them to the extent that we have completely lost ourselves. Without we even realising it, there are actually many things that we have but we not yet notice about them. Focus on what we have, optimise them and develop them to the full extent. Stop mourning over what we don’t have as successful people usually develop whatever skills they have and utilise all possessions they own rather than overly depressed over the things that they don’t have.
Related biblical verse:
1 Timothy 6: 6-8
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”
Life example:
Socrates, who was an eminent social thinker as well as a classical Greek philosopher deemed contentment with what we have as the natural wealth that you and me could possess. He said before that contentment is natural wealth while luxury is artificial poverty. (Essential Thinkers – Socrates (Barnes & Noble Collector’s Library)). Sometimes, luxurious lifestyle could be a danger too. It may shift our attention on works to an uncontrolled indulgence in various entertainments that bring us only transient pleasures. Subsequently, we waste everything that we have painstakingly earned previously if we enjoy too much in abundance.
Biblical example:
Paul, a faithful apostle of Christ who had been used greatly by God in the advancement of His kingdom learnt to be contended in every circumstance. His example is evident in Philippians 4: 11- 12. (Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be bought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.) Paul suffered a lot throughout his ministry. He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, incarcerated, went through hunger, thirst and tonnes of persecutions. Despite the agony that he was situated in, he found contentment in Christ who is everything. The inner peace and joy that he received while spending time with Christ far over-weighed his fear. He focused on God who always stayed with him and despised the struggles that he went through, knowing that the heavenly award is awaiting him at the time to come.
DOVE Philosophy of Happiness 