Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds
Good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. The basis of the ancient religion of Persia: Zoroastrianism. Three simple tenets that form the foundation of nearly all major religions, likely originated by Zoroastrianism. The need to use these tenets as the basis for a well lived life is because sometimes the simplest rules are the hardest to follow. Why is it so hard to find the way even though the eternal flame burns bright in the darkness?
Good Thoughts
“With an open mind, seek and listen to all the highest ideals. Consider the most enlightened thoughts. Then choose your path, person by person, each for oneself.” — Zoroaster
One of the simplest things in life to practice should be good thoughts, but what we do in the shadows doesn’t always align with our outward persona and what is done in the dark will always eventually be brought to illumination by the eternal flame. Our thoughts become words and our words become actions. Hence why it is so imperative to master our thoughts and focus on making them as positive as possible. As waves crash on the beach and wash away the footprints in the sand, so must our good thoughts come in and wash away negativity.
Good Words
“Always meet petulance with gentleness and perverseness with kindness. A gentle hand can lead even an elephant by a hair. Reply to thine enemy with gentleness“— Zoroaster
Words matter. If nothing else in this writing resonates with you, then please take this to heart. Words matter. What may be an offhand remark and no big deal to you could ruin someone’s day. Or worse could stay with them for any length of time. One never knows what another is experiencing in life and it’s not fair to add to their burden with a careless and thoughtless comment. Life is too short to not be more careful with your words. When we say that “life is short” it’s usually in a selfish, pertaining to yourself way, but it is indeed short for all of us. Words matter.
Good Deeds
“Doing good to others is not a duty. It is a joy, for it increases your own health and happiness.” — Zoroaster
It costs nothing to be kind, says the old adage. The simplest good deed is to be kind to all of those that cross your path. Sometimes other people will make it exceedingly difficult to be kind, but those are the ones that need your kindness the most. Perhaps for a brief moment whatever dark cloud that causes them to be so difficult will lift and show them that there is a light that never goes out. This, of course, isn’t guaranteed to change anything about their demeanor, but at worst you won’t engage them in combative words which will only lead to residual bad thoughts and thus allow them to have a tiny bit of control over you. There are so many good things that you can do for others but the simplest is to be kind. Not only is it something that anyone can do, it’s something that everyone should do, regardless of any other factors.
Exploring the River of the Soul
“Explore the river of the soul; whence or in what order you have come…” — Zoroaster
There is an eternal flame that lights the way. It is fueled by good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. The more purity that you can imbue into your heart, mind, and soul the more clear the path becomes. Seek not the kingdom for your own sake but bring the kingdom to others with an open and engaging mind, positive and honest words, and genuine helpful kindness. If you can do this you will have shown others a glimpse of paradise indicating that you have already found the way.
The author, Jamie, sincerely thanks you for taking the time to read this article and hopefully it was worth those few minutes of your day. Time after all is the most precious commodity.
