Life’s Harmony
Someone wrote, “When we recognize our relationship with God, we recognize our relationship with every living being and create harmony.”* * *Two friends and a monk were hiking in the mountains. When returning from ascending the mountain, the two friends felt dizzy, because of little oxygen at such high altitudes. The two friends decided to walk faster, but the monk started walking even slower. The monk said, “Do not walk too fast! Do not waste your energy! You must respect this mountain and synchronize yourself with it. If you keep harmony between your steps and this mountain, nature will assist you in life’s journey. If you are in a rush, you waste your energy.” * * * If we reflect on the meaning of these two friends’ journey we can infer to respect our surroundings, nature, people and every situation that life surrounds us with.Our tendency is to reach our destinations fast, forcing things to happen, we work so hard by accomplishing as many goals as we can in too limited a time. We ignore our health, our families, forgetting to see the beauty around us, and to enjoy the fleeting moments life has to offer. However, it is good to have goals. To know where you are headed, how you will get there and why you are committing to this goal to begin with. Believe in yourself that you can attain your goal. Expending all your energies too fast hinders the process. To find harmony and balance in our lives means living happily in inner peace; keeping balance in our minds, balance in our emotions, balance in our relationships, balance in work and in play, …these are essential to achieving inner peace.
Do not be anxious. Philippians 4:6-7
‘’Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’’ This is what we call our relationship with God. That is what will bring harmony to our lives. “When we recognize our relationship with God, we recognize our relationship with every living being, and create harmony within.”Let God change your heart, your thoughts, and your life.When you change your thoughts, you change your life. So let God help you to change your way of thinking. Your relationship with Him will help you to achieve peace and harmony. It all starts in your heart, in your inner world. Your thoughts dictate your actions, and when you change your way of thinking, you will be changing your behavioral patterns as well. Shifting your behavior will change the course of your life.Here are some ways you can achieve peace and harmony: When you are concerned, angry, disappointed, or hurt do not complain but go stand in front of the Lord, go outdoors, take a deep breath, and relax. Turn off your thoughts and listen to God. You can listen to God’s message only when you stop talking. Find the good in negative situations. Everything happens for a purpose. Above all, stay calm. Answers will come in your moments of reflection. Freedom fighter Gandhi said, “There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no cause that I am prepared to kill for.” In other words, do not “kill”, but “heal”. We can kill (or hurt others) with words or negative comments, or with spreading gossip. Rather than jumping to negative conclusions about other people, change your own perspective and cultivate the good in others. Look for love, not control over others. We need more love and peace than we do authority and control over our neighbors. Moderate your absolute convictions, be ready to question yourself and to reflect, before acting. If you want others to respect your point or opinions, then be ready to understand and accept that others can have their own opinions. The Golden Rule.
Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Fr. Zacharia Saribekyan
