King Solomons Mind

"Don't you understand, everything in this life is meaningless," cautioned the old man.

"Meaningless? Everything? Surely not!" responded the young man in disbelief.

Smiling the old man continued, "I know, I know, because I've seen it all. You name it, and I have done it. I not only did it, but I did it in a big time, kingly fashion.

"I denied myself nothing, nothing at all. But looking back on it now, I tell you, none of it really amounted to a hill of beans.

"What do think is worthwhile in life, son? The pursuit of happiness? I had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines.

"I had music from men and women singers whenever I wanted it; all the wine I could drink whenever I wanted it; and a palace full of folks falling all over themselves doing everything possible to get in my good graces.

"But when you get everything you want whenever you want it, you quickly realize how meaningless pleasure is. Whenever you seek pleasure, pleasure eludes you. The only way you find pleasure is by seeking something else first.

"Try paying someone a sincere compliment, help someone with a chore, maybe just take a nice walk on a sunny day. The idea is to do something you really enjoy doing for its own sake. Then when you least expect it, happiness bubbles up like a well inside you. You don't find pleasure; pleasure finds you.

"Pursuing pleasure for pleasure's sake, however, is like chasing after the wind.

"If not pleasure, then what? Wealth? Should you dedicate your life pursuing wealth?

"Listen to me. I had houses, vineyards, gardens, parks, fruit trees, reservoirs watering groves of trees, male and female slaves, a harem full of women, men and women singers, more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem, horses and chariots, and more silver and gold than you can imagine.

"I had it all. Believe me, if money and things could buy happiness, then you would be looking at the happiness man in the world!

"But what did I discover? Just this: Whoever loves money never has money enough. They always want more. Rich men don't even sleep well at night. They know someone's out there plotting to get their money.

"Money has its uses, but don't lose your perspective. You're not taking it with you. It will all be left behind to someone who didn't earn it."

The young man frowned, "I can see pleasure and wealth aren't all they're cracked up to be, but what of education? learning? wisdom? You, of all people, cannot deny the value of wisdom."

"Oh yes, I spent a great deal of time in study. I learned everything I could about every subject you can think of. That's how I got my reputation for wisdom. It didn't fall out of a tree, you know.

"What did I find out? The more you learn, the more depressed you get. Too much study just wears you out. Certainly wisdom is better than foolishness, but in a few short years, both the wise man and the fool wind up in the grave. Before long both are forgotten.

"Well then, what of work?" inquired the young man. "Will you now tell me work is also meaningless?'

"Work? Yes, I worked. I built things. I built houses, reservoirs, and even a temple for God. I delighted in my work. That was my reward.

"Of course in the long run, all of our toil is useless. Whatever you make, you can't take it with you. What you labored for will be turned over to another who didn't work for it. And in due course, it will be torn down or destroyed and soon forgotten."

"How depressing! You've thrown a wet blanket on pleasure, money, knowledge, and work. For the life of me, I don't know what's left," cried the young man.

"My son, I'll tell you the truth," replied the old man. "You can do nothing better than eat, drink, and find satisfaction in your work. Enjoy life with the woman you love. Whatever you do, do with all your might because you never know when your life might end.

"While you are young, enjoy life as much as possible. The years slip by quickly from youth to adult to middle age to old age. When death calls, your body returns to the ground and your soul to God who gave it."

Then the old man issued his final warning: "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

The year was 1,000 B.C., the old man, King Solomon. Has advice from 'the wisest man who ever lived' stood the test of time? You be the judge.

Mr. Boone is a sailor, author, webmaster, and cartoonist. His works include THE SAFETY LINE - EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN, an apologetic study published 1998, and Victoria Station.us (http://victoriastation.us) a popular joke, quote, cartoon web site. He is also a contributor to "Christian Living in the Mature Years" magazine, and author of the articles "God's Billboards Invade Cyberspace" and "To Quote or Not to Quote."

---

Love and Laughter ? Celebrating the Gift of Life

Only you can call me into aliveness. Each time you try to understand and because you really care, my heart begins to grow wings, very small... Read More

Forgive to Succeed - Im Talking to the You Behind Your Eyes

If your blood is still pumping through your veins, you very likely have some forgiving to do. When you truly forgive, you serve yourself much more than... Read More

Where is Your Happiness? Past, Present, or Future??

Achieving a level of personal happiness previously unknown is closer than you think. Much closer. But first, it's important to stay in touch with the present."Stay in... Read More

Maybe Money CAN Buy Happiness

Can money buy happiness? It's easy to say no, and probably correct, but that's just a way to stop thinking about the tougher issues. What is your... Read More

Creating Better Relationships

The most important achievements you can ever have in this life is your own happiness.And the majority of all the happiness you will ever have, will come... Read More

Can You Really Let Go Of Your Huge Internal Struggle?

When I was in graduate school for psychology, we had a fellow student by the name of Allan who was running a successful clinical practice and had... Read More

Seven Steps to a Better Day

Are you tired of the same routine day after day? Do you feel as if today is only a speed bump in the road between yesterday and... Read More

Divining Your Life Path Number

The Life Path is determined by the sum that is arrived at after reducing your birth date by adding digits together. This number represents the traits and... Read More

Find Shortcuts To Happiness

If someone said you could feel inner peace and joy by just deciding to do it, would you believe them? Well, we're telling you just that! Anyone... Read More

Choose To Be Happy - NOW!

The older I get, the more I realize that ninety percent of life is about choices. Both the choice to be happy or unhappy is mine. Sure,... Read More

You Can?t See Your Own Eyes

My friend called me this morning from her favorite coffee shop. She was taking a break from work. I sensed frustration in her voice. Something clearly was... Read More

How to Stop Attracting Negative People to Your Life

Placing your attention, energy and focus on the negative aspects of some people in your life brings you more of the same. Simply put, that's the Law... Read More

Letting Go of Anger and Awaken to Lifes Grand Aventures

Anger can make us feel good and enlivened for a little while. When we are angry we are often feeling self-righteous, critical, judgemental and we have someone... Read More

Why Do We Feel Happiness?

Although many for us strive for happiness in our daily lives to think of it as only a goal is I feel missing the true power of... Read More

Magickal Baths

Taking a Magickal Bath doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as running to your local drug or beauty supply and buying a product... Read More

The Art Of Happy Living

What do you think about happiness? A philosophical approach to life; an intellectual activity or an academical pursuit. No, not at all, nothing of the sort.Happy living... Read More

Design Psychology: How Our Sensory Responses to Aromas Create Happy Homes

Our sense of smell elicits strong emotional reactions and triggers powerful memories, whether we're consciously aware of it or not.Scents and FeelingsOur olfactory system sends a chemical... Read More

Boosting Your Success with Six Easy Happiness Tips

In what areas of your life would you like to achieve greater success? State-of-mind (attitude towards life and work) absolutely affects your performance and your outcomes. People... Read More

Three Inspirations for Happiness

The following three inspirations were adapted from A Daily Dose of Happiness, and they represent three key ways to increase our happiness.1. FORGIVING FOR HAPPINESSWe like to... Read More

The Elusive Butterfly of Happiness

Are You Chasing the Elusive Butterfly of Happiness?For many people happiness is an elusive butterfly in the garden of life. Imagine a young child in the garden... Read More

Finding Purpose and Meaning in Life

A friend once said to me, "There is no meaning in life, except what we create". At the time, I thought she was nuts. Now, I understand.What... Read More

The Gift is in the Giving

I have to be honest. I made the woman cashier at BIG! LOTS cry. I had shopped and gathered three baskets full together at the check out... Read More

The Science of Laughter

The title I chose for this article makes me smile. The science of laughter? Laughter, one of the things we used to take for granted, is now... Read More

What NOT To Do To Feel Good About Yourself - 10 Tips

From the moment we wake in the morning our heads start to fill with all sorts of thoughts. What will you give the kids for breakfast? Will... Read More

The Year Of Happiness

I have decided to declare 2004 as the YEAR OF HAPPINESS for me. What about you? Yes, you can also do so! Anyone living in any part... Read More

Keeping You Confident!

We can all be confident when we are sure of ourselves and knowledgeable about the situation in which we find ourselves. But what happens when we are... Read More