Page 38 - LOTN Autumn Issue 54 2023

MISCELLANY
Basics for happiness constantly enjoy but so frequently take for granted. (e.g.
the gift God gave you of : having a nice house with running
water and electricity, the garden, the trees, the sunshine,
the rain, your ability to walk, your ability to see and hear,
talk, the education you have received, the availability of
medicine and medical care…. I am sure that you can add to
this list) Thank God even for your difficulties. God can and
will use them for your own good and for the good of others
– if you let Him! -. ”THANK YOU LORD” is a prayer that has to
be frequently on your lips and in your heart.

4. Take pride in your appearance – when you go out and
whenever you will be meeting others make sure that you
put on something nice etc. This helps for you to have pride
in yourself and a positive outlook in life.

5. Take care of your health: spend time outside in the fresh
air, go out for walks, make sure that you eat healthy food…
6. If you go around telling people how unhappy you are
don’t be surprised if people will avoid you. Such a negative
outlook is contagious. You will be making them feel
unhappy too and everyone has their own problems in life.

7. As a Christian you are expected to unite your sufferings
to the sufferings of Jesus to obtain God’s blessings for the
world around us. We do not pray only for ourselves and
our problems. Everyone has their own difficulties in life.
(You could pray for the many people who have far greater
problems than yourself, people who live in severe poverty
and lack the basics of life which you take for granted.
Pray for those who are suffering because of war, violence,
hunger, injustice, persecution, natural disasters….) We do
this especially when we go to church and participate in the
Mass.

8. The Mass is our most important act of worship and
1. Self pity is NOT an option (unless you want to be prayer. In the Eucharist we unite our prayers and worship
miserable!). It is very important to leave the past behind to the worship that Jesus offers to our heavenly Father on
and live in the present. our behalf. It is up to you to give it due importance. No one
can do this for you.
2. Forgiveness: If anyone has hurt you in the past then,
whenever you are tempted to let such memories get you 9. Being part of the Church community should be a great
down, what is needed is to purposely forgive them in your help so go to the Church for Mass on Sundays and on some
heart. This will need to be done frequently – once will not of the weekdays.
be enough. You have to start taking seriously the words
that Jesus gives us in the gospel that “Unless you forgive 10. Make sure that you put Our Lady into your life. You
others from your heart then your heavenly Father will not may find praying the Rosary and the following prayer
forgive you.” In the Our Father prayer that Jesus taught us helpful:
pray the words “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was
those who have trespassed against us” – a dangerous it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored
prayer if you do not forgive all who have in some way hurt thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
you! Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins,
my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful
3. Creating a positive outlook in your life depends and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not
completely on yourself – other people cannot do this for my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
you. An important help towards having a positive outlook These suggestions will only be of help if you give them
is to throughout the day – especially whenever you real importance in your daily life.
are tempted to pity yourself and see only the negative Others can give support and encouragement but if you
side of life – is to seriously and frequently make acts of really want things to change this depends completely on
GRATITUDE to God for the very many blessings that you yourself.

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