When you remain calm and strong in a desperate situation, you can help like an angel*
Yes, being calm usually helps you to think more clearly, and thinking is often a good idea, whether the situation is desperate or not. I don't know what else to say.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Let sweetness in my thoughts, words and actions be the most visible of all virtues*
I don't think I've ever really thought about which virtues ought to be more visible than which other ones. Unless the virtue inherently has something visible about it, I'm not convinced it matters. I don't see why honesty, for example, shouldn't be just as visible as "sweetness", whatever that's meant to mean in this saying.
Something from the Bible:
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”—Matthew 6:5–6 (NLT)
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Where there is determination, success will become the garland around your neck*
I'm not sure if constant determination guarantees constant success, but I think constant determination will ensure that you eventually succeed at most things. I'm still a bit too unwell to come up with any coherent comments about whether that success will or should be visible to everyone, like a garland is.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Everyone enjoys the company of a soul who is light*
I assume this is trying to say that people like other people to have a sense of humour. It's hard to argue with that.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Truth is like the sun: it cannot remain hidden; it will always shine through eventually*
I've had a headache all day, so I might not be very articulate right now. That reminds me of this:
Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”—Luke 12:1–3 (NLT)
And also this amazing picture that was featured on Wikipedia a day or two ago.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Learn from others rather than criticise them. They are giving you free instruction!*
Indeed, you can learn a lot from other people's mistakes, by observing for yourself what happens, and by listening to the advice of people who have made or observed those mistakes. You don't have to make every mistake for yourself.
Criticism is another way to learn. If you try something new (or even something old), you can ask for polite criticism from someone more experienced, or someone who might see things in a different way from you. Don't be afraid to return the favour if they ask you to, or even if you know them well, and can criticize in a way you know they'll find helpful. And don't forget that praise of good things can teach (and encourage) them, too, not just criticism of things that can be improved.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
Contentment arises from a peaceful heart and a tranquil mind*
We already talked about contentment in relation to self-esteem, on the sixth of January. I'm not sure how much more I can say about contentment. I suppose it is related to a peaceful heart and a tranquil mind, but I'm not convinced that it's a result of them. I'm more inclined to think it's a cause of them, or perhaps the same thing as them. Regardless of all that, if you aim for a peaceful heart and a tranquil mind in an attempt to become content, I don't think you'll find you've reduced the problem to something easier to achieve.
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* Reproduced by permission of the copyright-holder BK Publications, London, www.bkpublications.com
