Charles Chaplin (1889-1977), who would call himself a peace trafficker, one of the greatest personalities of the twentieth century and the greatest humanist the seventh art has given us, among many of his essays he wrote one of my favorites, which at my interpretation means: «… and this is knowing how to live»
Not being afraid of questioning ourselves … that is life!!
Understanding that at every circumstance we go through we should appreciate the time and place in which we live… and this is how to live!!
Understanding that true respect lies in accepting the differences…that is life!!
Understanding that it is healthy to let optimism get in our lives…that is life!!
Learning to look to the future just by living to it beats…that is life!!
Learning that yourself well-being adds to the society´s well-being … that is life!!
It introduces us to an alliance of values (authenticity, maturity, respect, esteem, simplicity, humility, fullness), which in the service of the heart can lead us to know how to live!!!
«Life is wonderful … if you are not afraid of it» (Charles Chaplin)
Here I share the full text of the author;
As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.
As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody as I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.
As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow. Today I call it “MATURITY”.
As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance,
I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment.
So I could be calm. Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.
As I began to love myself I quit steeling my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.
As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself.
At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.
As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.
As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worry about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.
As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick.
But As I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.
We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born.
Today I know THAT IS “LIFE”!
Charlie Chaplin
