light thoughts

For awhile now, something that has been in the back of my mind is religion. Not that I am going back to active church attendance and paying tithing and will return to the temple, but that I find that its principles answer some of my questions as to why I am unhappy.

I find that I get stressed a lot and feel indignant over small and large things alike. I get jealous, or upset, etc. These are feelings that I just don't like. But a few days ago the impression hit me that all this was because I was looking at life with the perspective of "what can I get out of this."

I was/am a very selfish, prideful person. I still get caught up in my pride often, I'm not happy like that. I found that when looking at certain situations from the point of view of "how are others being affected by this" or "how am I affecting others" I have found that the bad feelings disappear. I think Christ was on to something when he said "Love thy neighbor as thyself" and "Turn the other cheek."
Things make sense with that perspective, and I feel much better.

I no longer take things so personally. I find that I am more at peace with myself.

Branching from this idea, I also am trying to put in practice the saying "I'll worry about that when I cross that bridge." This alleviates the stress of all the "what ifs" I usually wile away the hours worrying about.

I used to think that I was a generally giving person. But too often in the past I have gotten riled up over silly issues and feeling offended when I'm sure the person never meant to offend. I'm trying to be humble, to try and put others' happiness before my own. In essence I am learing to serve, to be my brother's keeper. I have so far to go, but I find that even just this small scratch on the surface has made a large difference in my life. I find I'm happier. I really do think that there is something in that religion after all.

"Let them worship how, where, or what they may..." it just seems a good idea.