dear georgia,
I'm one of your avid fans. I felt that every word you say come true. I'm new here in Canada and from a poor family and my aunt help me to come here for a better future of my kids..... you give me inspiration and hope to carry on. I always read your column to Elle Canada .Can you be my friend or mother when I'm down or happy. I know u r gifted with wisdom and knowledge. Even the kings in the old testament needed a prophet when they wanted to know the will of God. Please....
Sincerely,
E.
Dear E.,
You asked for advice. I have been thinking about this. The main thing I would like to tell you is to be kind, gentle and generous to everyone.
Why?
Because these are the qualities that will make you happy in this lifetime - and the purpose of life is to be happy.
Whatever you do in this life starts with a thought in your mind. Then that thought or idea might become a word, a sentence - something you say out loud or think out loud.
"From the thought springs the word."
Then your words might lead to an action or set up a chain of events so that you actually so something.
"From the thought springs the word.
From the word springs the deed."
Then of course, when you do something, especially if you do it more than once, it can quickly become a habit in your life. We are such creatures of habit!
"From the thought springs the word.
From the word springs the deed.
Then the deed soon becomes habit."
And now in the way life unfolds, you will have your habits. These are your ways of responding to others or responding to certain provocations (whether they make you angry or delighted - happy or sad.) Your choice of response is a habit. Even worrying is a habit. Our days are filled with our habits and our habitual behavior.
The truth of the matter is we seldom make important choices. We just respond to things, events and people by our habitual behavior. The main reason people are at work on Wednesday, is because they were at work on Tuesday. In this way, our habits become our lives - who we are.
"From the thought springs the word.
From the word springs the deed.
The deed soon becomes habit,
And habit eventually hardens into character."
So you see - in this way, you are your thoughts. Your life is your thoughts. Your relationships to others are your thoughts. Your job and how you do it is your thoughts. This is why it is said - we are our minds.
"From the thought springs the word.
From the word springs the deed.
The deed soon becomes habit,
And habit eventually hardens into character.
So watch your thoughts - and let them spring from loving kindness and compassion for others."
If your thoughts are full of kindness and compassion for others - this is the kind of person you will become. And other people will like to be around you; and they will love you for these fine qualities. And you will be happier - which is the purpose of life.
That is the best advice I can give you.
Most sincerely,
Georgia
