Inside Out with Remi Agbabiaka:
Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed.” The joy and hope of this new year are tempered by heaviness in our hearts as conflict rages abroad, and lives are lost daily. Each year comes with its baggage ranging from economic challenges to rampaging diseases, civil unrest. Regardless of our religious, ethnic, or political orientation, we each feel the pain and pressure of the world situation, and have great compassion for families who lost loved ones. May we take care not to get so swept up in the busy-ness of our lives that we lose touch with the heartache that many in our midst are enduring. Now, more than ever, it’s essential that we bring the spirit of peace, love, and goodwill toward each other into the new year. May this be a time of healing, compassion, and reaching out–a time to transcend our differences, and strengthen our human connections.
Times are hard life is tough but in all these rowdiness life goes on and individually one must find peace from within to enjoy the full benefit of life. Living is beautiful and to stay in touch with peace, love, and good will, we need to work at it. As you welcome this new year, it is important to first of all forgive someone. Forgiving is one of the greatest gestures of generosity we can make, so think of one person, past or present, toward whom you have ill feelings. Be it a parent, a sibling, a spouse, child, or someone who was once your friend, ask yourself if you can find it in your heart to grant them forgiveness. Make sure to be honest both to yourself and to others. Whilst many a time, people castigate us for being emotional about issues, some of my friends call it being sentimental but the truth is emotions is all we are. A man or woman without emotions becomes dust. So never be afraid to feel or talk to people honestly. When you are honest, at least you don’t have a heavy burden on your conscience and you can find peace. Let people know either by your spoken words, or through notes you send, how much you love and care about them. Avoid the superficial and inauthentic. Reach deep into your heart and soul, and speak from these when you connect with others.
Another ingredient of finding peace is the act of listening, this new generation we live in is filled with people who talk and want to listen only to themselves. We are too busy that we are not listening. So often conversation tends toward the mundane. We go through the motions of talking and listening while our internal conversations ramble on. This year, try listening with an open heart even if you disagree. Listening compassionately simply means that you’re making an effort to understand. Try putting yourself in the other person’s place as you listen, and see what you can learn. Compassionate listening is another gesture of true magnanimity. And whilst listening stop and notice, is your wife, husband, children or friend happy? And finally, make a difference for someone in need?What can you do to make a difference in someone’s life? It’s a fulfilling feeling when you see others smile because you brought joy to their lives. Think of things you and your family can do to reach out to others. I wish us all a wonderful 2022. Cheers
