A SATISFYING LIFE How to Attain It

2. Hints for Living a Satisfying Life

The following advice may sound contradictory, but it is really effective:  "Practice giving, and people will give to you . .., for with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return."  This does not mean giving with the expectation of receiving favors in return. Rather, the counsel is to cultivate a generous spirit:  "The generous soul will itself be made fat, and the one freely watering others will himself also be freely watered."  By sharing things in times of need, we promote a spirit of giving that may eventually benefit us. 

Human relationships. A wise king observed:   "I myself have seen all the hard work and all the proficiency in work, that it means the rivalry of one toward another; this also is vanity and a striving after the wind."  Rivalry has driven many people to act unwisely. A person sees his neighbor  getting a 32-inch televisions set, and off he goes to buy a  36-inch television set, even though his 27-inch set works perfectly .  Such rivalry is indeed vanity, just like striving after the wind-a lot running around for nothing.  Don't you agree? 

We may be offended by what others have said to us. But consider this advice:  "Do not hurry yourself  in your spirit to become offended, for the taking of offense is what rests in the stupid ones."  True, there are instances where becoming indignant can be justified.  "Be wrathful," concedes and ancient writer, "and yet do not sin; ; let the sun not set with you in a provoked state."  How, though, can we deal with the strong emotion of anger?  "The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger, and it is beauty on his part to pass over transgression."   Insight is what is needed. We might ask ourselves:  'Why did he act that way?  Were there extenuating circumstances?' In addition to insight, there are qualities that can be cultivated to deal with anger.  "Clothe yourselves with the tender affection of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering.  Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely  if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. . . .But, besides all these things, clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union."  Yes, love irons out many a problem in human relationships.  

Still, there is "a little member" that stands in the sway of maintaining peaceful humans relationships-the tongue. How true these words are:  "The tongue, not one of mankind can get it tamed. An unruly injurious thing, it is full of death-dealing poison."  And noteworthy indeed is this advice: "Every man must be swift about hearing, slow about speaking, slow about wrath.  In the use of the tongue, however, we need to maintain a superficial peace.  "Just let your word 'Yes' mean Yes, your 'No,' No; for what is in excess of these is from the wicked one."

Next time: A SATISFYING LIFE How to Attain It - Conclusion of Hints for Living a Satisfying Life

From The Watchtower magazine