大象传媒

From Father Brian D鈥橝rcy, a Catholic Passionist priest:

I鈥檓 at an age now where I鈥檓 content to let the world turn by itself - I don鈥檛 have to push it anymore. Furthermore, I鈥檓 really grateful I was born in this era. It鈥檚 such a good time to live in. Yet I鈥檓 aware how lucky I am because there are many who can鈥檛 cope with the pressures of modern life.

The psychiatrist Eckhart Tolle says stress is caused by being 鈥榟ere鈥� but wanting to be 鈥榯here鈥�. Everyone agrees now that too much stress can be a killer.

That鈥檚 why I admire the young Royals for speaking about the need to have someone to share your fears and troubles with. Prince William has been remarkably honest: 鈥淲hen you talk about something you have less reason to fear it,鈥� he said 鈥淎nd 鈥�you are more likely to ask for help.鈥�

Personally, I鈥檓 more susceptible to guilt than stress. For example I feel guilty having a comfortable life when so many homeless people are in dire need. I deal with guilt by helping organisations who work with the poor. In the past I joined them on the streets on winter nights.

However, I learned a salutary lesson one freezing night when a young homeless man told me that it would be far more helpful to him if I鈥檇 stay at home and instead use my influence to change the rotten system which keeps the poor downtrodden.听

He told me that people don鈥檛 care how much you know until they know how much you care. Homelessness changed everything for him. He discovered that when he could no longer change his circumstances, he had to change his attitude. That鈥檚 true for us all. The meaning of life is to give life meaning.

The philosopher Fredrich Nietzsche had a similar view: 鈥淗e who has a why to live can bear almost any how,鈥� he wrote.听 In other words if you have a reason to live, you鈥檒l discover a way to do it.

For me, sports coach John Wooden, had the best advice of all. 鈥楤e true to yourself. Help others. Cherish friends. Give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.鈥�

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