Sunday 15 February 2015

Positive thoughts from Pope Francis and Mahatma Gandhi

In a world filled with trouble and strife, it is a good thing to reflect on sayings from people of peace. Here are 10 thoughts provided by Pope Francis and Mahatma Gandhi to contemplate upon.


In an interview with the Argentine publication Viva, The Pope issued a list of 10 tips to be a happier person, based on his own life experiences.

1. "LIVE AND LET LIVE."
Believing that everyone should be guided by this principle, The Pope refers to not judging others and letting them continue with their lives in a way that best suits them.
2. "GIVE YOURSELF TO OTHERS."
"If you withdraw into yourself, you run the risk of becoming egocentric. And stagnant water becomes putrid,” The Pope elaborates, highlighting the importance of devoting time to those in need.
3. "PROCEED CALMLY IN LIFE."
Pope Francis refers to a quote from the novel Don Segundo Sombra by an early 20th-century Argentine writer, Ricardo Guiraldes, in which the title character looks back on how he lived his life. The novelist writes that in one's youth, a person is "a rocky stream that runs over everything," but as one gets older, one becomes "a running river, quietly peaceful."
4. "WORK FOR PEACE."
“We are living in a time of many wars,” he says, and “the call for peace must be shouted. Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive and dynamic."
5. "ENJOY LEISURE."
Highlighting that “consumerism has brought us anxiety”, he advises parents to set aside time to play with their children and make the most of their time together without distractions such as television.
6. "FIND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO CREATE DIGNIFIED JOBS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE."
Speaking on the vulnerability of young people, Pope Francis recommends being creative with them and providing ample opportunities to ensure they stay on the right path.
7. "RESPECT AND TAKE CARE OF NATURE."
The Pope admits that environmental degradation “is one of the biggest challenges we have,” and encourages humanity to treat nature with the respect it deserves.
8. "LETTING GO OF NEGATIVE THINGS QUICKLY IS HEALTHY."
Pope Francis focuses on the need to stay positive when talking about other people.  
9. "DON’T PROSELYTIZE; RESPECT OTHERS’ BELIEFS."
Using our beliefs to inspire others and help them grow is something that The Pope strongly encourages in order to live and a happier and healthier life.  
10. "SUNDAYS SHOULD BE HOLIDAYS." The Pope stresses the importance of rest as a tool for reinvigoration and spending quality time with the family.











Here’s are 10 of Mahatma Gandhi thought-provoking quotes, that if enacted, would perhaps make for a better  world.

1. ON LIFE
"My life is my message."
 2. ON BEING A SOLDIER
“I regard myself as a soldier, though a soldier of peace.“
 3. ON FAITH IN HUMANITY
“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty."
 4. ON NONVIOLENCE
“Nonviolence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed.”
 5. ON THE SEVEN SINS
“Seven social sins: politics without principles, wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, and worship without sacrifice."
 6. ON TRUTH
“An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self sustained.”
7. ON THE "STILL SMALL VOICE"
The only tyrant I accept in this world is the 'still small voice' within me. And even though I have to face the prospect of being a minority of one, I humbly believe I have the courage to be in such a hopeless minority.”
8. ON LIBERTY
“I’m a lover of my own liberty, and so I would do nothing to restrict yours.”
9. ON FORGIVENESS
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
10. ON THE NATURE OF MAN
“A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes."

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