Reality of Maturity and Happiness

"To the immature, other people are not real."

We all experience the same emotions: we all know joy, sorrow, and loneliness. Even though we come to learn these emotions through differing circumstances and situations, we are united in that we, as people—as humans—have all felt them. We can relate to each other. I feel as if many of us are better at relating to those we know, but the true test of one’s maturity and character is how they treat those they don't know. Once we can learn to acknowledge that the stranger sitting next to us is as real as we are—that they are as human as us—I believe we become more mature beings, coming closer to our divine potential.

"The kind of people we are cannot be separated from how we interpret the world around us." This quote, along with the entire section about how to obtain happiness is incredible. Life is difficult, this is a fact. It is also true that often times, it is fraught with illness, affliction, grief, and pain. But that does not necessitate that it be devoid of happiness. Warner put it beautifully when he said that life "is more like a decision than a condition." It is far too easy to fall a victim of circumstance and allow ourselves to justify a bad attitude. We must remember that Happiness is an attitude, not a diagnosis. Unlike the trials you are faced with, which you often have little control over, you do have complete control over your attitude. If we choose to be happy, then we will see or interpret the world in a much more positive light. I am not suggesting that we become ignorant to that which is bad in the world, but rather, to take notice of what is good, and choose to dwell on that. Life is what we choose to make it.