Thursday, January 14, 2010

That elasticity of mind

I finally finished Jane Austen's "Persuasion" and started that excellent Dallas Willard book, "Knowing Christ Today". But before I leave Jane Austen behind I want share this insight into the nature of happiness:
Yet, in spite of all this, Anne had reason to believe that [her friend] had moments only of languor and depression, to hours of occupation and enjoyment. How could it be? -- She watched --observed--reflected--and finally determined that this was not a case of fortitude or of resignation only. --A submissive spirit might be patient, a strong understanding would supply resolution, but here was something more; here was that elasticity of mind, that disposition to be comforted, that power of turning readily from evil to good, and of finding employment which carried her out of herself, which was from Nature alone. It was the choicest gift of Heaven...
Jane Austen, "Persuasion"
How I wish some of my friends had "that elasticity of mind, that disposition to be comforted, that power of turning readily from evil to good, and of finding employment which carried her out of herself"! Their lives would be so much happier!

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