Tuesday, September 11

Happiness is a Choice; Gratitude is a Choice (Better to stay in the solution than dwelling on the problem.) Revisited...............9/11/12

       Good evening.  I had an intense morning, but fun. I trained another, showing her how
to use paretos, or priorities.  She was thrilled.  We'll meet again tomorrow morning.  Earlier, I had breakfast at a country club.  I schmoozed with colleagues after hearing the president of a local college give a talk.

       This evening, I cycled twenty miles (32.2 km), ten of them were uphill. The return trip was exhilarating, reaching speeds of 40 mph (64 kph).

        I leave the following post.  It was written last year in May.  As noted in my Vision post, I don't think it is accurate stating that unhappy people complain.  I find it a truer statement that complaining makes us unhappy.

       One guy came across a friend and asked, "how are you?"  The other replied, "I'm okay, under the circumstances."  The other fellow said, "what are you doing there?"

        Exactly.

Here's the post:
   

     Today has been wonderful; the weather is lovely. This morning, the skies showered the region, scrubbing the air and refreshing it. On wonderful days like this one, I'm mindful of a quote: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."  Abraham Lincoln echoed this sentiment when he said "happiness requires very little, it's all in our
way of thinking."  And, I would add, in the choices we make.

         I choose to be grateful, full of hope, looking backward with thankfulness, forward with eager anticipation.  I'm thankful because I know I'm not alone.
I know God's love, His acceptance with grace, not with judgment or resignation.  Not only am I bonded with God, but I'm connected----to others who love me unconditionally.  I'm a fortunate man.

      I'm not pollyannaish.  There's warfare in the world, many go hungry, daily; abuse is pervasive throughout this world, yes.  I'm mindful of these facts and that many nowadays are without work.

      Despite these realities, God is still on the throne, He continues to answer our prayers.  He is the source for the sanity and serenity we seek.   I know my vision for my life; I'm fulfilling it, while being loved by family and friends.

      Life doesn't get richer than that.
“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 are you?  I'm amazed as to where we choose to place our attention.  Yes, there are problems engulfing us.   Complaining doesn't solve them.

      Sweeping our porch is a better option; doing so, the world becomes tidier.  Spewing bile offers temporary release.  Doing what we can about the issue, is a more constructive alternative; "let it begin with me."

      My past experience, having a classical and thorough education, is using analysis to make sense of the nonsensical and to control the uncontrollable. That's futility.  I know it's chic to be critical, sophisticated to be sassy.  I'd rather fill my heart with praise for the good things life provides.  Don't you agree?

      The problem with focusing on the problem is not only is it a downer, but we are focusing on the problem.  With that viewpoint, expect getting upset.  I'd rather look at what I can do to make this world a bit better.  That's remaining in the solution.
 "All the beautiful [or critical] sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action."                                                  James Russel Lowell
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"How far that little candle throws his beams!  So shines a good deed in a naughty  world."  Merchant of Venice, Act 5, Scene 1.
         What many don't realize is that a negativity is not always the result of an astute analytical mind. Anyone can complain. That's being consumed with negativity.
   
         Many are not aware their negativity has nothing to with their assessment skills.  Their downcast viewpoints often are a result of a heart filled with blame, shame, guilt or judgment.  Many critics simply are continuing the negative legacy of growing up in the toxicity of a negative or abusive household.  They've been trained to be critical----looking for what's wrong.  Their childhood example were the dysfunctional lives of toxic family members or the bleak circumstances of their childhood.
"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.           Phil. 4:8.
This is my choice. Keeping with that theme, here are my gratitudes:
1. My baseball team played today and I watched the game.  It was nice taking in a game.  It slowed the pace of my evening.  Baseball is 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 nice connecting with family and catching up on the latest news.
3. Another brother, who lives in Hawaii, by phone, I almost reached. The relationship we share is comforting; 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 share meets my need for connecting on an intimate level.  It's great relating with an adult son. It is a joy hearing his mature but different perspective.  Mine is limited, so I appreciate our times together.
5. I'm thankful for patience.  Patience allows me to slow down, when everything is swirling around me.  I find turning things over to God, letting Him carry the burdens of my life makes it more bearable, less frightening and increases my patience.
Related Posts:
Getting Beyond Disappointment 
"Happiness is a Choice"  Part II

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Quotes from the Posts

"I'm mindful that our thoughts affect the words we use, our words influence our actions, our actions shape our character and our character determines our destiny."

From "My Character Determines My Destiny." To read it, please click here.

"Progress not perfection, is better than no progress at all, especially when we're trying to rid ourselves from unwelcome dragons that dwell within the closets of our soul."

From, "Still Learning" which, within four days, became the most popular post
written. To read it, please click here.

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its trouble, but it does empty today of its strength"
From the post: "Life Is Not a Correspondence Program." Click here to read it.

"Even though we cannot control our circumstances, we can control how we choose to respond to them."

From, "Handling Stress and Dealing With an Emotional Bully."Click here to read this post.

"Nope, being busy isn't exciting. Boring is good. Because boring is not boring; boring is being healthy, living a balanced life that has serenity"

From: "Do You Know What It Means If You Are Too Busy?" For more, please click here.

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