Happiness Is A Choice, Revisited 8/26/17

       "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."

      Abraham Lincoln echoed this thought with,  "Happiness requires very little, it's all in our way of thinking."  [And, I
would add, in the choices we make.]

          It is our choice, to be grateful, full of hope---looking backward with thankfulness and forward with eager anticipation. This can be our lot.

           We can give thanks we are not alone, when we know gentle, affirming love through others that we feel safe being with.

           We get such support when we have a healthy network of friends.  Being accepted, knowing grace---gentleness towards our weaknesses, is a great comfort.

          We feel most at home and at ease when we are at peace with others.  We like it when others like us and enjoy being with us, and we feel safe with them.  It is nurturing, being in such an environment.

           Such a community of friends empowers us to take on the world.  Life doesn't get any better.

        Yes, there's warfare in the world.  Many go hungry, daily.  Abuse is pervasive throughout the world.  Politically, there's much that is troubling, disturb-ing.

         Despite these realities, we can discover God's love.  He provides what we lack.  In re-covery, He's the power we refer to as greater than ourselves.

         Enjoying sanity and serenity.  It happens when we have an accurate outlook on life.  This takes place when we work on our sanity.

          Sanity is the result of honestly looking at our circumstances.  It is eliminating our defensive hope.  We honestly admit where we don't have control, where we are powerless.

        Being present let's us see "what is."  We lay aside our fantasies and see life for what it truly offers.  We become aware of present experi-ence while using recovery-based acceptance. We place healthier behav-ior above the default modes that defeat us.

        When doing so, we are not so frustrated,  anxious.  Using recovery, we learn to lean on God, trusting his resources.  We do our best leaving the results to Him.

         Recovery teaches us to see what steps are required to meet our needs and satisfy our feelings. We learn that acting like a victim is a choice, not a destiny. 

        To celebrate life, it is critical being in touch with our personal vision.  Life is satisfying seeing it fulfilled.

 "Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness.  It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."                                                                                              Helen Keller 

        How about you?  Where are you investing your thoughts?  I'm amazed at what we focus upon.

        Yes, problems can engulf us.  But complaining doesn't solve them.

       I find sweeping our porch a better option; in doing so, the world becomes tidier.  Spewing bile because of our frustrations may offer temporary release.  Doing what we can about the issue, is a more constructive alternative.  That is being present, not letting our negative imaginings get the best of us.

        "Let it begin with me."
   

         It is surprising, how much we live within our mind.  Our thoughts are not followed up with action.  Without recovery, it is easy, worship-ping our mind---we analyze.

        We try to make sense of the nonsensical.  It is an attempt at controlling the uncontrollable.  That's futility and insanity.

        I know it's chic to be critical, sophisticated to be sassy.  It is better, filling our hearts with praise for the good things life offers.  Don't you agree?

        My guess is yes. I imagine you wouldn't be reading the contents of this home of gratitude.

        The problem with focusing on the problem is not only that it is a downer.  The problem is that we are focusing on the problem.  With that viewpoint, of course, we'll be upset, negative, and angry.

         It's better seeing the alternatives as to what we can do.  This is staying in the solution.

          What many of us may not realize is that being critical is not necessarily the result of an astute analytical mind.

         Anyone can complain. It is easy being consumed with a dark spirit.  It is easy defaulting to this mode or to being filled with anxiety.

         Many are not aware that being judgmental has nothing to with discerning.  Often our viewpoints stem from a heart filled with blame, shame, guilt, and judgment, the five forms of Life Alienating Communication.
     

 Frequently, critics are continuing a negative legacy, the result of growing up in a toxic, negative, depressive, critical home.  In such a home, grace and optimism were rarely demonstrated.

          Many who live in a less than ideal home are groomed to be critical.  It is modeled daily.  Seeing what is wrong becomes part of their cognitive and characterological DNA.

          Having lived with toxic---usually perfectionistic and controlling---family members, the bleak circumstances of our childhood can contributes towards us having a harsh, judgmental perspective.

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."   Philippians. 4:8.

        We want this as our choice.   Dwelling upon the blessings and treasures we have makes life, brighter. It pushes away the bleakness we may have known as children, growing up in a less than ideal home.

Related Posts:
Getting Beyond Disappointment 
"Happiness is a Choice"  Part II