Two Selections

While taking the English sub-test of the N.A.T., I read two interesting selections from two separate questions that I've pondered on:

The first tackled the idea of Happiness.

It is said there that happiness from "getting" is both elusive and fleeting; they disappear just as our need for it is satisfied. It is never wise to chase these temporary happiness and look for contentment in them. Rather, our time should be spent on happiness that stems from "giving." Sharing our ideas, giving care, love, appreciation and help to the people that really matter: our friends and families. By discovering more about others than ourselves. To see through our self-centered thoughts and go beyond it. Only then can we experience lasting happiness. Therefore, the best kind of happiness comes not from ourselves but from the people around us. How we touch their lives is important in how we discover ourselves and others: who we are, what we have to say and the messages that people have for us. Happiness is found when we start living rather than merely existing.

The second discussed what maturity is.

Maturity is the acceptance of the consequences of our actions. It is said that we must stand by our decisions and not run away from them as immature people do. They spend their lives exploring endless opportunities and end up doing nothing. Maturity, therefore, is humility; the acceptance that one can never be perfect and take all opportunities; that life, to be lived fully and experienced fully, must have ups and downs, taken and missed choices, mistakes and success, loss and victory. One must have the strength and humility to accept their imperfection and remove their delusion of committing no error. One can be considered as mature if one can accept their mistakes and say "I was wrong" and at times they are correct, they need not say "I told you so." For example, when we give love to a lady, we must stand by it. Have conviction on our decision and be faithful on that love. If a man cannot decide between two lovers, he is not worthy of the love of both and is immature. Having maturity is to have conviction.

Both selections struck to me as important and I cannot pass them up simply as questions in a test. They may teach apparent ideas on values formation yet these ideas are essential and are needed to be directly referred to. These are rare gems in a world where articles are only composed of sensationalist topics.

Makes you wonder: Have I been posting anything of value lately?