◎ Laura Moncur

Someone says that happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, and to be needed. I have no objection to that, only wondering how to grow happiness.

Step one:

Plant yourself deep in a bed of faith, and pack it down solid and tight. Drench daily with positive thinking, and keep saturated just right. Mulch often with forgiveness, for this will help you grow. Quickly remove any seeds of worry, for they will soon germinate, and keep out the weeds of despair. Nourish disappointments with hope whenever it is needed, and always stay cool and shaded when you feel irritated or heated. Trim away guilt or depression, for they create decay, and cultivate with happy memories as often as every day.

Step two:

Harvest the lessons of the past; just dig, pick, and hoe. And nurture the roots of the present, for now is when you flourish and grow. Start planting for the future; set your goals in a row. Spade the bed well for all your dreams to grow.

Step three:

Remember that grief is a natural predator, so learn to tolerate some damage. Protect your garden with daily prayers, for this will help you manage. Bury the criticism and complaining, for they are injurious pests. Sow the seed of love wherever you may go—for joy, love and laughter are surely bound to grow. Although the thorns of life may be here to stay, just sprout a smile along the way, and be thankful for what you have.

有人说幸福来源于深切的感触，简单的享受，自由的思考，以及被需要。我对此没有异议，只是在思考如何才能种植幸福。

第一步：

将自己深深地种植在信仰的土壤里。每天用积极的思想去浇灌它，并保持它的湿润。用宽容覆盖它，这有助于它的成长。发现紧张时要尽快清除它，否则它会很快生根发芽，同时也要消除绝望。需要时用希望滋养失败，愤怒的时候保持冷静。修剪愧疚和抑郁的枝叶，否则会长出枯枝败叶。每天都要用快乐的记忆去呵护它。

第二步：

挖掘、收获并选择，在过往中收获经验。照顾好此刻的根茎，因为现在是茂密生长的时期。开始为将来作准备，种植下自己的希望。翻翻土，这能使梦想更好地成长。

第三步：

记住，悲伤会侵蚀你的灵魂。所以要学着忍受一些伤害。用每日的祈祷保护好你的花园，这有利于管理。将批评和抱怨这些害虫埋葬起来。无论你到了哪里，在春天里种下爱的种子——快乐，爱和欢笑将茁壮成长。哪怕生命荆棘会找上门来，也要在一旁种上微笑的芽苗……不管一切如何，为今天所拥有的全部而心存感激吧！

The Villager and the Happy Man 快乐之源

◎ Remez Sasson

In a small village there lived a man who was always happy, kind, and well disposed to everyone he met. People knew they could count on him, and regarded him as a great friend.

One of the villagers was curious to know what his secret was, how could he be always so kind and helpful? How is it that he held no grudge towards anyone and was always happy?

Once, upon meeting him in the street he asked him: “Most people are selfish and unsatisfied. They do not smile as often as you do; neither are they as helpful or kind as you are. How do you explain it?”

“When you make peace with yourself, then you can be in peace with the rest of the world. If you can recognize the spirit in yourself, you can recognize the spirit in everyone, and then you find it natural to be kind and well disposed to all. If your thoughts are under your control you become strong and firm.”

“But a lot of work is necessary. The work is difficult and endless. There are many walls that need to be climbed. It is not an easy task.” lamented the villager.

“Do not think about the difficulties, otherwise that’s what you will see and experience. Just quieter your feelings and thoughts and try to stay in this peace. All the abilities and powers awaken spontaneously.”

“Is that all?” Asked the villager.

“Try to watch your thoughts and see how they come and go. Stay in the quietness that arises. The moments of peace will be brief at first, but in time they will get longer. This peace is also strength, power, kindness, and love.”

“I will try to remember your words.” said the villager and continued, “There is another thing that I am curious about. You do not seem to be influenced by the environment. You have a kind word to everyone and are helpful. Yet people do not exploit your goodness, and they treat you well.”

“Goodness and being kind do not necessarily point to weakness. When you are good you can also be strong. People sense your strength and do not impose on you. You then act from strength and not from weakness. Goodness can also go with power and strength; it is not a sign of weakness as some people erroneously think.”

“Thank you very much for your advice.” said the villager and went away happy and satisfied.

在一个小村庄，有一个人总是快乐而热情，和每个人和谐相处。人们知道他可以信任，把他当成好朋友。

一个村民很想知道他的秘密所在，为什么他总是那么亲切热情、乐于助人呢？为什么他对每个人都毫无怨恨、始终快乐呢？

一天，那个村民在街上遇到了那个人，他问道：“大多数人自私自利，贪得无厌。他们不像你一样经常面带微笑，也不像你一样乐于助人。这该如何解释呢？”

“当你和自己和平相处时，你就能和世界和平相处。如果你认可了自己的心境，你就能认可别人的心境。然后你自然就会亲切友好地与人相处。当你的思想被你控制时，你就会变得强大而坚定。”

“可是很多事儿必须得做。工作很难而且做也做不完。很多困难需要克服。这可不是件容易事儿。”村民哀叹道。

“不要考虑那些困难，否则你要看到和即将经历的都会是困难。使自己的情感和想法冷静下来，并尽量保持这种状态，自然会唤起所有的能力和力量。”

“就这些吗？”村民问道。

“努力关注你的想法，看它们是如何变来变去的。当你的想法趋于平静时，保持这种状态。一开始，也许只有片刻的宁静时光，但是随着时间的推移，平静的时间会越来越长。这种平静也是力量、动力、热情和爱。”

“我会尽力记住你的话。”村民说道，他接着问，“还有一件事我很好奇。你好像并不受环境影响。你对每个人都热情，乐于助人。但是人们并不利用你的善良，他们对你也很好。”

“善良和热情并不一定与软弱相关。当你仁慈时，你可以很坚强。人们感觉到你的力量，不会欺骗你。这样你的行为源自坚定，而不是软弱。善良也和动力与力量相伴，而不像有些人误认为的那样，是软弱的标志。”

“谢谢你的建议。”村民说道，心满意足地走了。