On Ideals......

 I found a beautiful piece of prose, written by the Swiss philosopher and poet Henri Frederic Amiel ( 1821-1881).  A description on what he calls "joy in one's whole being". Just have to share it...."ON IDEALS"

 A walk.....the atmosphere incredibly pure

 a warm, caressing, gentleness in the sunshine.

 Joy in one's whole being. Every way I was happy....

 as idler, as painter, as poet. Forgotten impressions of childhood and youth came back to me.

 All those indescribable effects wrought by colour, shadow, sunlight.....

 Green hedges, and songs of birds

 Upon the soul just opening to poetry.

 I became again young, wondering, and simple,

 as candour and ignorance are simple.

 I abandoned myself to life and to nature,

 and they cradled me with an infinite gentleness.

 To open one's heart in purity......

 To this ever pure nature,

 to allow this immortal life of things

 to penetrate one's soul,

 is at the same time.......

 to listen......

 To the voice of God.

 Born in 1821, Amiel was a descendent of the line of the Huguenots. His family died when he was young, and as a young man he travelled  in Europe, meeting various European leaders.In 1849 Amiel was appointed to the Academy of Geneva. His philosophical writings were thoughtfu, but he was isolated from the aristocratic party and it allowed him to write his famous journals: "Journal Intimate"  that was published after he passed away.

 "Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts."- Amiel

"On Ideals" taken from "1000 Beautiful things 1948"......