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22/02/2017

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Alison Murdoch.

2 minutes

Last on

Wed 22 Feb 2017 05:43

Script

Good Morning. At the end of last year, I listened to a Radio 4 presenter wrap up a current affairs programme by asking his guests what positive things they were taking away from 2016. One of the guests was a prominent politician who paused for a very long time. Eventually they said that the only positive thing they could think of was the wedding of a close family member. Everything else felt negative.  When we focus on the big picture, as that politician did, it’s easy to feel down. Whether it’s terrorism, war, refugees, corruption or the environment, there’s no shortage of bad news. However just as we choose what food to put into our bodies, we can also choose what ideas we want to feed our minds with. For example, I’ve really enjoyed receiving an uplifting real-life story in my inbox every day of the year, from the the free service Daily Good, which is run by volunteers in the United States, and that's not to mention all the small acts of kindness and goodwill that take place directly around me every day .  My Buddhist teacher Lama Zopa encourages his students to make a habit of rejoicing whenever we come across an example of goodness or goodwill. Rejoicing is an instant pick-me-up that lifts our spirits and strengthens the values that we share. It’s something we can do wherever we are.  A few minutes of rejoicing at the end of each day can be a wonderful thing to do just before going to sleep.  February is sometimes described as the most depressing month of the year. Let’s pray that we can avoid the intoxicating spiral of negative news, and instead fill our hearts and minds with whatever we find positive and inspiring. 

Broadcast

  • Wed 22 Feb 2017 05:43

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