#MondayMotivation #GetOutside #Cincinnati

From: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/a_scientific_reason_to_stop_and_smell_the_roses

Robert Emmons, perhaps the leading scientific expert on gratitude, writes that gratitude isn’t just about acknowledging the goodness in one’s life but also “recognizing that the source(s) of this goodness lie at least partially outside the self.”

Psychology Professor Nancy Fagley says,

“The challenge in fostering appreciation,” she says, “is that we want to periodically reflect on the positive aspects of our lives, value our friends and family, relish and savor the good times—without the practice of reflection becoming a rote habit or something that is taken for granted.”

She suggests people

“focus on and value what they have, spend time outdoors, and reflect on their blessings and relationships with others.”

A Rose in the Glendale New Church Garden

 

 

What is it to be spiritual?

“No one can be regenerated unless he knows the things that compose the new life, that is, spiritual life; for it is that life to which regeneration leads a person. The things that compose the new or spiritual life are the truths he ought to believe and the good deeds he ought to perform. Those truths are matters of faith, the good deeds are aspects of charity.”–Emanuel Swedenborg, Arcana Coelestia, n. 8635 (Elliott, trans.)

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

“From this one may now see what spiritual life is, namely being in possession of truths rooted in good which come from the Lord.” Emanuel Swedenborg, Arcana Coelestia, n. 6685 (Elliott, trans.)