God gives us freedom to make our own lives within the situation which is the gift of His love to us, and by means of the power His love grants us. But we feel guilty about it. We are quite capable of being happy in the life He has provided for us, in which we can contentedly make our own way, helped by His grace. We are ashamed to do so. For we need one more thing than happiness: we need approval. And the need for approval destroys our capacity for happiness.
Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander (New York: Image) 98
Thought for the Day
Thought for the Day
You must be free, and not involved. Solitude is to be preserved, not as a luxury but as a necessity: not for "perfection" so much as for simple "survival" in the life God has given you.
Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander: 96
Contemplative Pause: Throughout this week, pause, take a breath, and listen with your heart. How is your need for approval destroying your desire for happiness?
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