I am back from being in Cairo, Egypt for 10 days. A wonderful time visiting with family and friends and I thank them all for spending time with me. As I am very tired to write this week, the following are words of wisdom not from me 🙂
“You can have defects, be anxious and sometimes irritated, but don’t forget that your life is the largest company in the world and only you can prevent its decline. A lot of people like you, admire you and love you. I’d like you to remember that being happy is not having a sky without a storm, a road without a traffic accident, work without fatigue.

To be happy is to find the strength of forgiveness when you are hurt, to seek the power of hope in the midst of battles, to be filled with security when fear attacks, and finding the love in the core of disagreements.

To be happy is not only to enjoy a smile, but to also reflect on the sadness. It is not only to celebrate the success, but to learn from the lessons of failures. To be happy is to recognize that life is worth digging into, despite all the challenges, misunderstandings and periods of crisis.

To be happy is to cease feeling the victim of problems around you and become the author of your own story.

To be happy is to thank God every morning for the miracle of life. It is to have the courage to hear a “no”. It is to feel confident to accept a review although unfair. It is kissing the children, it is to pamper the parents, it is to live out poetic moments with friends even if our friends have hurt you.

To be happy is to have the maturity required to say, “I was wrong”. It is to have the courage to say, “Forgive me”. It is to have the sensitivity to say, “I need you “. It is to have the ability to say, “I love you “. Then your life becomes a garden of opportunities to be happy.

To be happy is when you get on the wrong road, you restart at zero and be more passionate about life in spite of the disappointment.

And you’ll find out that to be happy is not to have a perfect life, rather use the tears to irrigate tolerance and use the mistakes to sculpt serenity. Use the obstacles to open the windows of your discernment.

Never give up on those you love. Never give up on happiness, because life is incredible!”

This was a translated speech from Pope Francis. Please forgive any inaccuracies. A beautiful message, I believe and may we all seek Contentment as it overflows with Peace and Joy. Till next week 🙂