Bosnia After the War Essays

A Guiding Thought for a Happy Life
By Edisa Gerin
April 2000

The advice to Jane Eyre from her elder friend, Helen Burns, "Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs," (Bronte 60-61) is a worthwhile guide for human conduct. All of us encounter belittlements and unpleasantness, but we must not allow them to have mastery over us, and we should better search for ways to forgive.

For instance, we might find ourselves criticized. It happens I families, among friends, between girlfriend and boyfriend, and especially in school. First, we have to consider the validity of the comments. What is the intention? Is it constructive, or it is petty? Is the person just projecting his/her own insecurity? Analyzing the psychology of the situation helps us to evaluate its importance. Maybe it's just not worth suffering over. Sometimes it requires discussion with a trusted person, someone loving but objective.

Sometimes action is required which can make us feel more powerful. We speak with the person who has offended us. By our politeness, s/he may realize the insult and ask forgiveness. We are at least masters of our own attitudes, if not the circumstances themselves. Occasionally, differences are not resolved. In any case, for our own benefit, it is better not to take everything to heart. Our days are too few even for nice things, let alone bad ones.

Life gives us happiness and sorrow, but no matter what befalls us, good spirit is always the best answer. Bearing grudges only poisons our own souls and prolongs bitterness.

Work Cited
Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Reading, England: Cox & Wyman, Ltd., 1994.