Separate yourself from sad thoughts and bitter memories.

Sad thoughts are not easy to conquer; memories, bitter memories, are harder still, and suffering, especially physical suffering, has a way of sending its echoes back again from the past into the present and that too is weakening to those who wish to climb. Separate yourself from this dark cloud of unhappy memories. Be happy, not just resigned—that is a very poor sort of happiness—the sister of sadness itself. Sorrow and pain and disappointment—these cut into our impression of what a Father's love should be like. We find it hard to reconcile the anguish that these things bring with the understanding mind and compassionate heart of our Father. Be assured again and again that God is Love and that God's Love is around you now and nothing can pierce that Love.

Parisian moon dancers in gold paint at the Palladium Theatre, Sydney, 28 September 1955 | Ern McQuillan | State Library of New South Wales