Attitude deter-mines how much happiness we will know.
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."Abraham Lincoln echoed this when he said,
"Happiness requires very little, it's all in our way of thinking." [And, I would add, in the choices we make.]
Being grateful reveals itself as a terrific choice. It fills us with hope. It happens as we look backwards with thankfulness and forward with eager anticipation.
We can be thankful because we are not alone. God's love can be ours at all times. He accepts us with grace, not judgment.
We cannot only bond with God but also create a supportive community that loves us unconditionally. This type of support flourishes when developing our discernment and apply boundaries when relating with others.
Despite these realities, a loving God still exists. He answers our prayers. A Power greater than ourselves can provide the sanity and serenity we seek.
A positive vision for our lives can be ours, the choice involves changing perspective.
It happens when we slow down through prayer and meditation and increase our conscious contact with the God of our understanding. We want to pray for knowledge of His will and the power to carry it out. This action mirrors Step 11 in Recovery.
When we are loved by family and friends we know a reality that enhances our joy. Life doesn't get richer than that.
I find sweeping our porch a better option; in doing so, the world becomes tidier. Spewing bile may offer temporary release. Doing what we can about the issue, provides a constructive alternative; "Let it begin with me."
It surprises me how much we stay in our minds, without subsequent action.
"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 do you choose to invest your thoughts? I'm amazed at what we choose to focus on. Yes, problems can engulf us. Complaining doesn't solve them.
It surprises me how much we stay in our minds, without subsequent action.
Before recovery, I worshipped my mind. It was the result of a classical and thorough education. I used analysis to make sense of the nonsensical.
It was my attempt at trying to control the uncontrollable.
That's futility and insanity. I know it's chic to be critical, sophisticated to be sassy. I'd rather fill my heart with love and praise for the gifts life offers.
That's futility and insanity. I know it's chic to be critical, sophisticated to be sassy. I'd rather fill my heart with love and praise for the gifts life offers.
Don't you agree? My guess imagines you saying yes, or you wouldn't be reading these silent words in this home of gratitude and thankfulness.
Focusing on the problem creates a downer mentality. The problem remains that we are focusing on the problem. With that viewpoint, of course, we'll get upset. I'd rather look at the alternatives as to what I can do, staying in the solution.
Many don't realize that being critical does not reveal an astute analytical mind. Anyone can complain; it's easy to be consumed by a dark spirit, defaulting to this mode.
Many are not aware that being judgmental has nothing to do with their assessment skills. Their viewpoints stem from a heart filled with blame, shame, guilt, and judgment, the five forms of Life Alienating Communication. Frequently, critics are simply continuing the negative legacy of growing up within the toxicity of a negative, depressive, critical home where grace was rarely demonstrated.
Since childhood, many living in a less-than-ideal home were groomed to be critical. It was modeled for them daily. Seeing what was wrong became part of their cognitive and characterological DNA. Having lived with toxic---and usually perfectionistic---family members, the bleak circumstances of their childhood strongly contribute to adopting a critical perspective.
My Gratitudes for Today:
1. My baseball team played today and I watched the game. It was a respite from daily pressures, taking in a game. It slowed the pace of my evening. Baseball remains a game of nuances; it has the speed of yesteryear when life wasn't as frantic.
2. I spoke with one of my older brothers this afternoon. It's lovely connecting with family and catching up on the latest news.
3. Another brother, who lives in Hawaii, by phone, I almost reached. We share a comfortable relationship; we think alike. Besides that, he has a wonderful personality. I treasure the life-long bond we share.
4. I had an open conversation with a son. The openness, thoughtfulness, and honesty we had met my need for connecting on an intimate level. It's great relating with an adult son. Hearing his mature but different perspective was gladdening. Mine remains limited. I appreciate the times we celebrate together.
5. I appreciate patience. It allows me to slow down, when life engulfs me, with the urgent tries to distract me from the important. Turning things over to God, and letting Him carry the burdens of my life makes it more bearable, less frightening, and increases my equanimity, always a good deal.
Related Posts:
Getting Beyond Disappointment
"Happiness is a Choice" Part II
Focusing on the problem creates a downer mentality. The problem remains that we are focusing on the problem. With that viewpoint, of course, we'll get upset. I'd rather look at the alternatives as to what I can do, staying in the solution.
Many are not aware that being judgmental has nothing to do with their assessment skills. Their viewpoints stem from a heart filled with blame, shame, guilt, and judgment, the five forms of Life Alienating Communication. Frequently, critics are simply continuing the negative legacy of growing up within the toxicity of a negative, depressive, critical home where grace was rarely demonstrated.
Since childhood, many living in a less-than-ideal home were groomed to be critical. It was modeled for them daily. Seeing what was wrong became part of their cognitive and characterological DNA. Having lived with toxic---and usually perfectionistic---family members, the bleak circumstances of their childhood strongly contribute to adopting a critical perspective.
This is my choice, dwelling upon the blessings and treasures I have. In keeping with that theme, here are..."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.
My Gratitudes for Today:
1. My baseball team played today and I watched the game. It was a respite from daily pressures, taking in a game. It slowed the pace of my evening. Baseball remains a game of nuances; it has the speed of yesteryear when life wasn't as frantic.
2. I spoke with one of my older brothers this afternoon. It's lovely connecting with family and catching up on the latest news.
3. Another brother, who lives in Hawaii, by phone, I almost reached. We share a comfortable relationship; we think alike. Besides that, he has a wonderful personality. I treasure the life-long bond we share.
4. I had an open conversation with a son. The openness, thoughtfulness, and honesty we had met my need for connecting on an intimate level. It's great relating with an adult son. Hearing his mature but different perspective was gladdening. Mine remains limited. I appreciate the times we celebrate together.
5. I appreciate patience. It allows me to slow down, when life engulfs me, with the urgent tries to distract me from the important. Turning things over to God, and letting Him carry the burdens of my life makes it more bearable, less frightening, and increases my equanimity, always a good deal.
Getting Beyond Disappointment
"Happiness is a Choice" Part II
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