True Values

" Nothing truly valuable arises from ambition or from a mere sense of duty; it stems rather from love and devotion towards men and towards objective things" - Albert Einstein.

"Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living from what we get, but we make a life by what we give".-Norman MacEwan

Small things bring happiness in life. Although a cultivated intellect is a treasure, devoid of the sensitizing influence of the desire to feel with others and without a holy love, it does not have the highest possible value. We should express more often, through words and deeds, a tender understanding of our fellow men. Thousands of small gestures of gratitude and appreciation from others, manifested through kind and benevolent words and expressions, will eventually be reflected on our own existence. Those who show an indifferent attitude toward their fellow men are not in harmony with Christ. It is impossible to be in harmony and union with God and, at the same time, to be devoid of the spirit of forgiveness or to ignore the rights of others. Many long for a gesture of friendly sympathy.

All people have been endowed by God with an individual, unique personality. These characteristic differences of each of us make it difficult to develop a harmonious relationship, but if we are consecrated to Christ and His will is identified with our requirements, the asperities of our character will tend to be less and less obvious. To be consecrated to the good and happiness of one's fellow men. Even the most insignificant circumstances must be used as occasions in which we seek to express our gratitude for the favors we have received from others and to see to it that we do not miss any possibility in which, by acts of kind kindness and through small gestures of love, we can encourage the afflicted, relieve the oppressed and alleviate the pain of the suffering. Such a spirit of kindness, which springs first in the family, will extend into our social relationships and lead to what the happiness of a lifetime means. But neglecting these small things can lead to the development of an existence that is characterized by bitterness and pain.

Compassion - Good works are the fruit that Christ expects from us - kind words, acts of kindness, sensitivity and mercy towards the poor, needy and suffering. Whenever your hearts feel together with those burdened with discouragement and pain, whenever your hands reach out to those in need, whenever you clothe those who are naked, and whenever the stranger is welcome in your guest room and finds a place in your heart, the angels descend down close to you, and the voice of Divine approval crosses the sky.

Every act of justice, mercy and goodwill resounds in heaven like a song. From His throne, the Father looks upon all who perform such acts of mercy and places them among His most precious treasures. "They shall be mine, saith the Lord, and they shall be my treasure in the day that I prepare for them." Every act of kindness to the needy and the suffering is considered to have been accomplished for Jesus personally. When you support the poor, when you feel with the afflicted and oppressed, and when you are friendly with the orphans, the relationship between you and Christ becomes closer. Tenderness and sincere compassion for others are the distinguishing mark that God has made to distinguish between those who love and fear Him and those who are indifferent to His law. His word is : "I want mercy, and not sacrifice."

Blessings,

Charlotte