A Statue of St Cajetan from Hamrun, Malta |
Why positivity must be carefully cultivated and negativity avoided at all costs
Once, a young man visited the renowned Father Paisios of Mt Athos for advice. Being simple-hearted, however, he couldn't restrain himself from listening to negative thoughts. These thoughts were acting as an obstacle to every good work he was trying to accomplish. Father Paisios, due to his discretion, realised that his negative thoughts were the cause of his problem and told him the following:
-There was a man who used to say: “If I get married and have children, and my children are boys and there is war, they will have to join the army and finally they will get killed. So, there is no reason for me to get married.”
Then, the Elder turns to him and says:
- Isn't that a silly thought?
- Yes, the young man replied.
The Elder went on:
-Be careful, because you are doing the same thing. Bear in mind that you will never achieve anything good, if you think and act this way.
Fr Paisios (1924-1994) in his cell on Mt Athos |
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