I just finished reading a book, titled Simple Truths, written by Kent Nerburn. After reading the book, i felt that it talks about life issues in a simple, concise, and straight to the point manner. There were many times when i felt that what the author said resonated my own beliefs and values on how life should be. Let me share some paragraphs from the book;
On Love
Remember this and keep it in your heart, You don't choose love. Love chooses you. All you can really do is accept it for all it's mystery when it comes into your life. Feel the way it fills you to overflowing, then reach out and give it away. Give it back to the person who brought it to you. Give it to others who seem poor in spirit. Give it to the world around around you in any way you can.
Love has its own time, its own season, and its own reasons for coming and going. You cannot bribe it or coerce it or reason it into staying. If it chooses to leave from your heart or from the heart of your lover, there is nothing you can do and nothing you should do. Be glad that it came to live for a moment in your life. If you keep your heart open, it will surely come again.
On Strength
True strength does not magnify others' weaknesses. It makes others stronger. If someone's strength makes other feel weaker, it is merely domination, and that is no strength at all.
Take care to find your own true strength. Nurture it. Develop it. Share it with those around you. Let it become a light for those who are living in darkness.
On Tragedy and Suffering
How you respond to tragedy and suffering is one true measure of your strength. You need to see those moments and moments of growth. You need to look upon them as gifts to help you reclaim what is important in your life.
On Loneliness and Solitude
Most people fear being alone because they understand only loneliness. Their understanding begins at the self, and they are comfortable only as long as they are at the center of their understanding. Solitude is about getting the "I" out of the center of our thoughts so that other parts of life can be experienced in their fullness. It is about abandoning the self as the focus of understanding, and giving ourselves over to the great flowing fabric of the universe.
and finally, On Giving
If you perform these simple acts, little by little you will start to understand the miracles of giving. You will begin to see the unprotected human heart and the honest smiles of human happiness. You will start to feel what is common among us, not what separates and differentiates us.
Before long you will discover that you have the power to create joy and happiness by your simplest gestures of caring and compassion. You will see that you have the power to unlock the goodness in other people's hearts by sharing the goodness in yours.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book. It has been a wonderful journey. =)
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