Ah Spring is here and life is good! I've seen three bluebirds so far and am pretty sure that I have heard and spotted the Red Wing Blackbirds. Still, I won't feel complete until I hear their "Booker T's" ringing out. I took a glorious walk today to the library to return my book. On the way home I was looking for early spring plants, but it seems, like me, there aren't too many folks out there with daffodils or crocus. I did see a little green promice that I know in about two weeks will be sporting a yellow flower......and so we hope, but this is actually a pointed post about happiness with a link to the Live Science site which always has interesting and up-to-date articles.
Enjoy!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20100305/sc_livescience/studyhappinessisexperiencesnotstuff
Are you content?
What is it that we really need to get from life? I think of all the older women I talk to and when they speak of their children (who are usually my age) what do they say: “So and so has 4.5 children....so and so has redesigned their kitchen.....so and so is now the regional manager.” Has anyone ever said: “My child has self-actualized. She is very content with her life as it is. She wakes every morning thankful for her health, her life, her career and the bountiful gifts that make her complete.”
Yeh, I didn’t think so. We love to measure success in tangibles, but really, are things the same as contentment?
Today I gardened for the first time in 2010. It was a beautiful thing. I was out there like some eccentric in winter snow boots, ear muffs, and my dad’s old plaid flannel. Dad’s flannel brings his presence closer to me as I do something he loved. I talk to the flowers, coax life from them in these early spring days, and I am one with nature. The roses are trimmed now, already new life was forming on their stalks, so I begged them to forgive me for the pruning. I also managed to move about the last bits of snow so it would melt faster. Think I’m weird? My neighbor was out doing the same thing. Later, after my labors and two full paper bags of greenery, I sat on my front step and just soaked it all it. It was so calming. I was happy just to be there on a Friday evening with no hurries or worries. I had started on a promising spring of plants and life and I had so much time ahead of me.
It is so possible to focus on the negatives of life and forget the blessings. There is a famous quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln:
“Most folks are about as happy as they choose to be.”
Isn’t that the truth? How people choose to look at their lives, their situations, how much they choose “glass half full” or half empty makes up their point of view. I like to say perception is 100% of reality. It’s all how you look at it.
I’m currently reading a book called “Living Serendipitously” by Madeleine Kay that has chapters titled “Happiness is a Choice” and the “Magic of Believing”.
Although this book is full of insight I don’t find anything within the pages to be Earth shattering. This book speaks to my way of thinking. So much of life is about the opportunities we take hold of when they come and seeing opportunity in unlikely places. And it is about belief, belief, and hope and faith. Everything is connected and a part of the Infinite.
So think of all the blessings in your life. Enjoy moments as they happen and with the joyous wonderment of a child. So much of your life is filled with abundance. Rejoice!
Are you content?
What is it that we really need to get from life? I think of all the older women I talk to and when they speak of their children (who are usually my age) what do they say: “So and so has 4.5 children....so and so has redesigned their kitchen.....so and so is now the regional manager.” Has anyone ever said: “My child has self-actualized. She is very content with her life as it is. She wakes every morning thankful for her health, her life, her career and the bountiful gifts that make her complete.”
Yeh, I didn’t think so. We love to measure success in tangibles, but really, are things the same as contentment?
Today I gardened for the first time in 2010. It was a beautiful thing. I was out there like some eccentric in winter snow boots, ear muffs, and my dad’s old plaid flannel. Dad’s flannel brings his presence closer to me as I do something he loved. I talk to the flowers, coax life from them in these early spring days, and I am one with nature. The roses are trimmed now, already new life was forming on their stalks, so I begged them to forgive me for the pruning. I also managed to move about the last bits of snow so it would melt faster. Think I’m weird? My neighbor was out doing the same thing. Later, after my labors and two full paper bags of greenery, I sat on my front step and just soaked it all it. It was so calming. I was happy just to be there on a Friday evening with no hurries or worries. I had started on a promising spring of plants and life and I had so much time ahead of me.
It is so possible to focus on the negatives of life and forget the blessings. There is a famous quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln:
“Most folks are about as happy as they choose to be.”
Isn’t that the truth? How people choose to look at their lives, their situations, how much they choose “glass half full” or half empty makes up their point of view. I like to say perception is 100% of reality. It’s all how you look at it.
I’m currently reading a book called “Living Serendipitously” by Madeleine Kay that has chapters titled “Happiness is a Choice” and the “Magic of Believing”.
Although this book is full of insight I don’t find anything within the pages to be Earth shattering. This book speaks to my way of thinking. So much of life is about the opportunities we take hold of when they come and seeing opportunity in unlikely places. And it is about belief, belief, and hope and faith. Everything is connected and a part of the Infinite.
So think of all the blessings in your life. Enjoy moments as they happen and with the joyous wonderment of a child. So much of your life is filled with abundance. Rejoice!
