'These qualities do not come naturally
These qualities do not come naturally
We can never bless the world, by merely living for ourselves.
We must suffer, give, and sacrifice — if we wish to do good to others.
It will cost you, even to simply be genuinely kind.
Some of us know what self-repression, self-restraining, self-crucifixion, and long, severe discipline — lie behind calmness, peacefulness, sweet disposition, good-temper, kindly feelings, and thoughtfulness.
Most of us have lived long enough to know that these qualities do not come naturally .
We have to learn to be good-tempered, thoughtful, gentle, and even to be courteous.
Learning this is always hard. Indeed we attain nothing good or beautiful in our spiritual life, without a cost.