Gandhi Gets It

Gandhi Gets It

Let me start out by saying I am not a Gandhi zealot. I like material things. I like my scotch. I do meditate sometimes, but I don't sit home or in a quiet place and hum six hours a day. The fact is I'm so non-Gandhi because I go to Las Vegas every six weeks and get drunk and gamble. 


However, some of the sayings that come out of his mouth are all about what I've been trying to communicate in my blogs on happiness. Below are just two:


"Freedom Isn't Worth Having If It Doesn't Include The Freedom To Make Mistakes."


There are countries that will fine or even put you in jail if you make a mistake. There are corporations that will demote or even fire you if you make a mistake. There are religions that will excommunicate you if you make a mistake. You are not free if you live in such a country, company or church. 


There are friends, family or acquaintances that will hate you or mentally/physically punish you or sue you or never speak to you again if you make a mistake. You are not free if you stay involved with these people. 


Freedom of choice is what freedom is all about. There is no way to go through life without making a mistake. Some are small mistakes and some are large mistakes. Freedom is the capability of fixing, ignoring or learning from your mistakes. You should not let the outside world take that freedom away from you. 


If you fear the repercussions from making a mistake, you are not free. If you can live with your mistakes, decide to find a way to overcome your mistakes or be serious about never making the same mistake twice, you are free.



"As I Walked Out The Door Toward My Freedom, I Knew That If I Did Not Leave All The Anger, Hatred And Bitterness Behind I Would Still Be In Prison."


This quote from Gandhi really hits home for me and it should hit home for you. I can say:

"As I Divorced My First And Second Wife, I Knew That If I Did Not Leave All The Anger, Hatred And Bitterness Behind I Would Still Be An Unhappy Person."


I have preached in so many of my blogs that anger, hatred and bitterness will never serve you. It will only hold you back. It will suck the happiness from your soul. It will destroy relationships. It will make you physically ill. It will get you to see a negative future. It will make you someone that others don't want to hang out with. The Universe will not be on your side.


No matter what someone, some group or something has done to you, it is not worth the problems stated above to hold on to your anger, hatred and bitterness. I know it's hard to let go when you've been wronged. I know it's hard to let go when the outside world has hurt you or your country or your religion, but not letting go will make a bad situation worse.


Like I said above, I'm not a Gandhi lifer, but he has his shit together when it comes to some things we should pay attention to regarding our happiness.

Read Gandhi's writings and choose for yourself which ones will enhance your happiness. You deserve it!