Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
Interpretation
Focus on the positive aspects of your life rather than dwelling on past hardships.
In this quote, Charles Dickens encourages individuals to appreciate the blessings they have in their current lives instead of fixating on their past troubles. This perspective promotes a more positive outlook, highlighting that everyone faces challenges, but it is crucial to recognize and be grateful for the good things that exist today.
In practice
During a motivational speech about overcoming adversity.
I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away-the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us-is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow.
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
There are not a few among the disciples of charity who require, in their vocation, scarcely less excitement than the votaries of pleasure in theirs.
You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,” said Miss Pross, in her breathing. “Nevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman.
Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.
It is a new road to happiness, if you have strength enough to castigate a little the various impulses that sway you in turn.
I take it not only a day at a time, but a moment at a time, and keep it at that pace. If you can be happy right now, then you’ll always be happy, because it’s always in the now
Cheerfulness is as natural to the heart of a man in strong health as color to his cheek; and wherever there is habitual gloom there must be either bad air, unwholesome food, improperly severe labor, or erring habits of life.
That man is rich whose pleasures are the cheapest.
Be happy now. It's a great Western disease that we'll be happy in the future - when we get higher status or that BMW or that promotion or this project finished. Instead, be happy now.
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