As improbable as this scheme might seem, that is theological construction which millions upon millions of people have laid upon their so-called "loving" God. So I think most important thing books have done for me and do for me daily, is free me from shackles of a belief in an angry, vindictive, judgmental God. I am now more open to creating my life as I want it, not as I imagined it had to be.

The second most important thing I've learned from books is that there is only one reason to do a thing - anything - and that is to be and to decide, to create and fulfill, Who I Really Am, and Who I now Choose to Be. You see, I thought there were all sorts of reasons that I was supposed to do this or that. My father told me. The world expects it of me, God demands it of me. Whatever. Now I'm clear that God demands nothing, world's expectations are distorted and misplaced, and my father's orders no longer need to be followed.

The ironic part of all this is that I am now acting more in accordance with what old teachings asked of me than I was when I was told to act that way, or else. In other words, I am finding that "being good" (whatever "good" means) feels...well...good...when it isn't having to be done because I'll be condemned if I don't.

Put another way, I tend to rise to higher expectations of me, and aspirations for me, when these expectations and aspirations are mine, not someone else's. This is a Great Secret which God understands, but which Man refuses to believe: we are basically Good...not basically bad. We do not need an angry, vindictive, punishing God to scare us into doing what is "right," act in interests of others, or "show up" grandly. Our basic nature - human nature - is loving and kind. We are taught greed. We are taught fear. We are taught ugliness, prejudice, violence. We are LOVE... and we are taught to be something else!

By Neale Donald Walsch

Neale Donald Walsch

Never feel guilty if your opinion is different from anothers. The biggest misery in life can be trying to' fit in' with another's dharma. Dharma is just another name for life path. A good example of this is storyline often seen in movies:

Child is miserable because mother/father wants him/her to follow in his/her footsteps. Never under-estimate how traumatic this can be. If something is not right for you and you're trying to make it fit then much pain can result...

Just think of 'ugly sisters' trying to fit into Cinderella's slipper!

So, if you're experiencing stress ask yourself:

"Am I being myself or am I trying to be what another would like me to be?"

The path to happiness is to be your true self. This in turn will make those around you happier because you will be also giving them 'permission' to be themselves.

So spread happiness by being true to yourself.

Enjoy!