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Giving up is not giving in, nor is it failing.

It is no longer needing to be right.

-- Anonymous

When someone tells us a riddle, we may give up if we don't know the answer. We give up because we are tired of trying to get it, or because we are eager to find out what it is.

Giving up in other situations, may be more difficult. We may need to give up eating something that isn't healthy for us.

We may need to give up trying to win an argument.

We may need to give up old clothes that we love which no longer fit us.

When we don't want to give up, it may be because we have forgotten the knowledge, health, or peace of mind we gain by doing so.

In each case, giving up means growth and going on with our lives.

Giving up may mean many different things in different situations, but it does not mean doing nothing.

It means doing what seems right for us and giving up the expectation that what happens will be exactly what we want.

All music is what awakes from you

when you are reminded by the instruments.

-- Walt Whitman

A small group of friends sat in a room around a record player. It was a heavy old thing, with parts that had to be operated by hand and only one speaker -- nothing like a modern stereo at all, but more like an antique phonograph.

The record -- a recording of their favorite music -- was old, too, and scratched, its grooves worn smooth as a stone in some places. The tone arm skipped and scratched, and the sound was tinny, hard on the ears.

Most of the friends squirmed in their seats as they listened, and several grumbled that it was impossible to hear the music with such inferior equipment.

But one of the group sat listening, her eyes closed, swaying to the music and humming softly to herself.

"How can you enjoy this?" the others asked.

"Ah," she said with a mysterious smile. "I am listening beyond the recording to the music I know is there!"

Happiness is not a place to travel to.

It's a way of getting there.

-- Anonymous

Those of us who climb mountains find joy in reaching the top.

However, the climb would not make much sense if there were not things to enjoy on the way up.

If we groan and complain, it will be hard to feel joy at the summit.

However, if we are able to enjoy each day's journey, it makes all the difference in the world.

In the midst of each chore, we can notice the sunset or the unique and beautiful surroundings of each day.

Each of our days is different.

Happiness is not a goal we are struggling to reach some time in the future.

It is a gift we can give ourselves today.

If we enjoy some parts of each day of our hike, we will also feel joy at the summit.

_______________

11/07/2004

Most dividers from Chrysia's Page (dead link 07/29/2003)