OBJECTIVE: To help prepare our children to live lives of maximum joy by finding joy ourselves in simple things.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES:
"The whole world is full of unworked joy mines. Everywhere we go we find all sorts of
happiness-producing material, if we only know how to extract it."
--Orison Swett Marden
"The whole world is full of unworked joy mines. Everywhere we go we find all sorts of
happiness-producing material, if we only know how to extract it."
--Orison Swett Marden
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'If I had to live my life again I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week; for perhaps the parts of my brain now atrophied would thus have been kept active through use. The loss of these tastes is a loss of happiness, and may possibly be injurious to the intellectual and more probably to the moral character, by enfeebling the emotional part of our nature. . . Formerly I was led to the firm conviction of God and of the immortality of the soul. . . In my journal I wrote that whilst standing in the midst of the grandeur of the Brazilian forest, 'It is not possible to give an adequate idea of the higher feelings of wonder, admiration and devotion which fill and elevate the mind.' ...But now the grandest scene would not cause any such conviction and feelings to rise in my mind. . . Disbelief crept over me at a very slow rate, but was at last complete. The rate was so slow that I felt no distress.' |
Charles Darwin
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LISTEN:
READ:
Mother's Learning Library Volume: Joy
This is certainly the biggest, fattest book we have printed (other than the Story Bible). But the subject of Joy is worth it. I debated whether to include a simpler, quicker read, Orison Swett Marden Joys of Living, or this massive book written by Newell Dwight Hillis. The massive book won out because I think it will be more satisfying in the end and it talks about everything we've been studying this year, including how literature, poetry and music bring joy to our lives. I do recommend that you start with Marden's Joys of Living if you want something to quickly lift your spirits and get you thinking about being happy. The Mother's Learning Library book, Joy, is meant to be taken in small bites, chewed slowly and savored. Hillis draws upon lessons from so many of the great men and women of history to make his points. When I first found the book quite awhile ago, I printed out a copy and found myself underlining 'gems' all over the place. I didn't agree with everything he said--and I'm sure you won't either--but I promise he will give you many things to think about. In the back of the book is another little book I found that gives you a quote about happiness for every day of the year. You'll notice the cover is an image of Autumn. As I've said before, I believe we are living in an Autumn of history where so many good fruits are there for us to harvest and store through the inevitable winter. Notice what the girl is holding in her hand-a white flower. That, to me, is a reminder of the promise of Spring and of new plantings and growth. DELPHIAN READING: V: 390-476 . The Conduct of Life |
How the Inner Light Failed by Newell Dwight Hillis--What happens when you just don't 'feel' anything anymore.
Inspiration Library I especially recommend Orison Swett Marden. His first book, Pushing to the Front, tells story after story of people who have overcome hardships.
Hillis, Newell Dwight The Quest of Happiness A Man's Value to Society The Investment of Influence Marden, Orison Swett Joys of Living He Can Who Thinks He Can How They Succeeded Peace, Power and Plenty Architects of Fate How to Get What You Want The Miracle of Right Thought Victorious Attitude Every Man a King Pushing to the Front The Optimistic Life Love's Way Be Good to Yourself Hill, Napoleon The Law of Success in 16 Lessons Allen, James As A Man Thinketh |
TOOLS:
DO:
1. Capture the 'jewels' of each day in a Pleasure Book.
Often it's the small and simple things that make the biggest difference. "If it is a dark day, never mind you; you will lighten it up. If it is a bright day, you will add to the brightness. Give a word of cheer, a kindly greeting and a warm handshake to your friends. If you have enemies, look up, pass them by, forget and try to forgive. If all of us would only think how much of human happiness is made by ourselves, there would be less of human misery." Read the story of a woman who found joy in her Pleasure Book. And then teach your children to do the same.
Often it's the small and simple things that make the biggest difference. "If it is a dark day, never mind you; you will lighten it up. If it is a bright day, you will add to the brightness. Give a word of cheer, a kindly greeting and a warm handshake to your friends. If you have enemies, look up, pass them by, forget and try to forgive. If all of us would only think how much of human happiness is made by ourselves, there would be less of human misery." Read the story of a woman who found joy in her Pleasure Book. And then teach your children to do the same.