One of the greatest secrets of emotional stability is a goal-centered life. Have a meaningful goal, and your emotions will be more balanced. You won't be as vulnerable as those who don't have something worthwhile to live for.

Why some people around us are so easily offended? It is true that they haven't developed their inner strength sufficiently. But another side of the issue is that they might not have a meaningful goal beyond physical and emotional well-being. Yes, they search for emotional stability - but cannot find it, for they don't realize that it is a by-product of fruitful life.

When people have no vision, no positive goal to live for, they tend to exaggerate their problems. They give undue attention to their unpleasant occurences. No wonder they often feel overpowered. Small things disturb and upset them. But if they would be engaged in creative activity, perhaps they would not notice those things. And if a serious problem would occur, they would set their minds at finding solutions rather than being worried and anxious.

There is immense value in forgiveness. But it is much better to pay no attention to so-called offences. It is much better to forget them, to drop out of our minds.

Goal-centered life strengthens us and helps us to discover within ourselves new realms of wisdom, power, and talents. It opens us to the inflow of divine love.

"Which is my goal?", some people might ask. It is easier to find it than we realize. What we need to do is to look around. We are naturally attracted to certain things and creative activities. We are placed among certain conditions and certain people. I doubt that the Spirit which worked so diligently at bringing us over here, arranging all the circumstances, wishes to lead us to a totally strange place. There is untapped divine potential right where we are!

Another thing we need to remember is that our goal should excel that which we currently do. As someone wisely said, "We are happiest when we are engaged in a task which is within our powers, but makes severe demands on our powers".

Someone may wonder: "I'm just doing my work. I am a responsible and reliable person. Isn't that good enough? Is there anything else expected of me?" My opinion that every decent worker is worthy of praise and approval. Yet we should not think in such terms as "good enough" if we are inwardly designed for growth and greatness. If we are trying to settle down at our successes and achievements, we cease to participate in conscious evolution. Sooner or later the feeling of dissatisfaction will surface to let us know that we're at the wrong track.

We are truly goal-centered not only when we work, but when we wish to excel in our work. We do so not for the sake of outward success, as some people might suppose, but for the sake of being true to ourselves - that is, our unfolding spiritual nature. Outward recognition might come, but it will always be the result of right attitude.

"But what can I do if my motivation is lost?" What we can and should do is to motivate ourselves. It is up to us to ignite our own passion and to kindle our inner flame. If we wait for an inspiration from the outside, we might wait for too long.

We live our lives from inside out. This is one of the most beautiful truths of our being. And because of that we can always rise above mental inertia of people around us. We can live goal-centered and meaningful life, no matter what others do. We can be channels of divine light, love, and peace - even in the face of petty fears, offences, and resentments.

(to be continued)