So. I tend to complicate things. I've got myself trying to be kind, helpful, loving, patient, slow to speak and quick to listen, not be so angry I sin, have a sound mind, and so on with all the personality assets that a child of God should have.
there is a saying 'act as if' with the idea that if i act as if I have all the fruit of the Holy Spirit, they will magically begin to manifest. Another way of saying it is, 'fake it till you make it.'
After much spinning out I've come to the conclusion (with the help of the book of Ecclesiastes) that I am only complicating matters by trying to assemble the puzzle of my personality by starring at the picture on the box. This is chasing the wind and it would be a good idea for me to take things one small bit at a time.
Jesus said to treat others as I want to be treated. The Golden Rule. Looks like a good place to start.
This is as simple as it gets. If I focus on being kind and respectful toward the people I come into contact with every day, giving each person as much respect and kindness that I can in the moment - then eventually without even noticing - I will begin to see the good things in others because I will be looking for those good things so that I can keep up my motivation to be kind to them.
noticing the good in others can only snow ball into more sincere acts of kindness. you can see right now how this grows into patience and genuine affection and then love and respect. I don't need to spell it out.
so, the long and the short of it is, focus on the simplest matter at hand, which is to treat others as you would want to be treated, and all sorts of wonderful parts of your personality will start to blossom and grow.
Another great lesson I took from the Book of Ecclesiastes was the end where the writer has described all of his observations and trials and experiments and has come to the conclusion that complicating things is like chasing the wind and the important thing is to pay attention to whatever work you do, and give thanks to God every day.
c.anna
