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The Secret of Greatness
Religious leaders may disagree about some things, but they all have one thing in common. They all recommend you do one important thing in your life.
You might find this recommendation difficult to follow. For a few, it's nearly impossible to live this way. However, when you use this advice, you earn the most wonderful gifts in the world.
Not only does this advice make you happy, it lowers your stress and boosts your intelligence. You face difficult situations with less fear. You are much more successful.
What Is Greatness?
"The hardest task one can have is to continue to love his fellows despite all reasons he should not."
"For the one who can achieve this, there is abundant hope.
"For those who cannot, there is only sorrow, hatred and despair. And these are not the things of which greatness, or sanity or happiness are made.
"A primary trap is to succumb to invitations to hate.
"Never use what is done to one as a basis for hatred. Never desire revenge.
"It requires real strength to love man*. And to love him despite all invitations to do otherwise, all provocations and all reasons why one should not.
"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe." -- L. Ron Hubbard (*Man: mankind; the human race.)
Examples
1. As soon as you arrive at your family's party, your stomach twists when you see your Aunt Jane. Ever since you were young, Aunt Jane has criticized you. "Well, managing a shoe store is fine, but I thought you'd be a successful doctor, like your father." "I was completely surprised to see your daughter's eyes are blue since you and your wife have brown eyes."
If you had known Aunt Jane would be at the family gathering, you would have found a good excuse to miss it. You want to leave, but then she sees you. "There you are! Have you been avoiding me?"
You decide to be a great person and love your Aunt Jane despite all reasons you should not. As you hug her, you notice she is now in her 70's. You suddenly realize she hasn't criticized you for more than 20 years. You are surprised to find you actually do love her.
2. You are driving down the road enjoying some music and some idiot cuts in front of you. You slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. You send him a mental curse and hope he has a rotten life.
You notice you feel rotten. You blame the other driver for this feeling and start driving recklessly.
But then you think, "Hey! I don't want to hate anyone. I'm going to love that guy." You feel a little understanding for the other driver. You think, "He must be late for work" and you wish him well.
Within seconds, you feel better and forget about it. You go back to enjoying your music.
3. A few years ago, you and your friend Peter bought a delivery van. He used it during the day to make deliveries from his flower shop and you used it at night to deliver newspapers.
When going to work one night, you notice the van is missing. You call Peter who says, "Oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you that I sort of rented it to this guy. I mean, uh, well, I sold it because I had to pay off some bills. I think you owe me some money anyway, so I think we should call it even."
You say, "I can't believe this! You sold our van? You really did it this time Peter!" You slam down the telephone and vow to never speak to him again. You jump in your car and spend all night moving newspapers.
You plot revenge in several ways. You'll spray paint his windows. You'll steal his car. You'll spread rumors about him.
Every time you think about Peter and the van, you get upset. Even two years later, you still feel the hatred whenever you see a similar van.
But then you learn this principle and decide to be a great person. You decide to love Peter despite all reasons you should not. After a few days, you decide to call him.
Peter says, "I'm so glad you called! I'm sorry about the van! I've regretted selling it for years now."
You say, "Don't worry about it. I'm sorry our arrangement failed. Good luck Peter."
The van memory stops hurting you. People like being around you again. You feel great!
Five Recommendations for Becoming a Greater Person
1. Love everyone around you. People in your family, neighborhood, workplace, everyone. Love them for no reason. Why not?
2. Whenever someone tries to get you to hate him or her, refuse to play the game. Instead, generate some love for the person, even if only a small amount.
3. Make yourself tougher by loving people, even your enemies. You can certainly love people without letting them control you. In fact, it's easier to face and handle difficult people, if you love them.
4. Eliminate revenge as a purpose in your life. Who do you want to get even with? Change that intention into something positive. Wish them well and you'll feel much happier.
5. Make yourself happier by loving people. Whenever you feel depressed (sorrow) or a loss of hope (despair), find someone to love. You don't even need to see or talk to the person, just love him or her.
"To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. -- L. Ron Hubbard
Excerpted from "What is Greatness?" by L. Ron Hubbard. You can read the full article at www.realhubbard.org.
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