"MAKE A DECISION TO BE HAPPY EVERYDAY REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES YOU MAY BE FACING!"
Did you know that happiness is a choice? It took me nearly 37 years to figure this out. Up until a year ago, I was nearly miserable everyday of my life. I was constantly searching for that "thing" that would make me happy. No matter what I did or tried, and no matter what my husband did to try to make me happy, nothing seemed to work. Everyday was like a mission to find happiness. At first I thought that living in the middle of a busy, crowded town was making me unhappy, so 11 years ago we moved to the country. I was still unhappy. Then I thought maybe it was the vehicle I was driving that made me unhappy, so we would buy new vehicles. Still unhappiness prevailed. So, I thought maybe if I surrounded myself with nice "things," such as artwork or beautiful figurines, I would become happy. Still no change.
Then I started to read some books this past summer, and one in particular changed my life. Spiritual Liberation by Michael Bernard Beckwith changed my attitude toward life. I will never forget the day it happened. It was the end of June, and I was sitting on my deck having a cup of coffee reading this new book that just seemed to jump out at me at the bookstore the day before. Michael Bernard Beckwith's words were mesmerizing me, and it was like a lightbulb went off in my head. I finally got it after 37 years of searching for happiness.
I WAS IN CHARGE OF MY HAPPINESS! It was a choice that I had to make! No one else could make me happy, and happiness was never going to come from inanimate objects. Happiness lives within each person on this planet, and each of us has the ability to be happy or to live a life of misery.
After reading Rev. Beckwith's book, different phrases or quotes would start showing up on my facebook wall that different friends would post. Each quote was relevant to a situation that I may be facing that day. Then one day as I was surfing the web, I found the following quote:
"I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition" (Martha Washington).
So, face each day with a smile no matter what you may be going through. I know some days seem to be more unbearable than others, but if you try to face each of those days with a smile, each day will be that much better. Happiness truly is a choice, so choose to be happy regardless of the struggles you may be facing today.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
February 1, 2011
"CHERISH THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE WHO CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WELL-BEING!"
With this new technological age and the onset of social networking over the internet, one might feel that he or she has been blessed with hundreds or maybe even thousands of friends. I will admit that I am a member of facebook, and as of today, I have 72 online friends. My nephew has over 1,000 online friends on this social network. However, I ask you this question. How many of those people care about you and your well-being? If you have had a time of need, a crisis, or just someone you needed to talk to, how many of those people are there for you? How many of those people visit you, hang out with you, or call you on the phone and listen to you vent? Yes, you may get an occassional comment to one of your status updates, but how many of those people really know you? How many of them cherish you as one of their personal friends? How many of those people who are your "so-called" friends do you cherish?
My answer to my own question is, "Not many." There may be a handful of people on my facebook profile who are truly my friends. Not many of them go out of their way to send me a message to see how I am doing, to see how my son is doing, or to see how my husband is doing after his treatments have ended. However, I am just as guilty as everyone else in this scenario, because rarely do I send messages to my online friends.
This scenario is not only limited to social networking sites. How many of your co-workers do you know? Do you know your neighbors? How many of your family members do you "really" know? The list could go on and on, but I am sure there are a few people in this world who truly do care about you and your well-being. Cherish those people! Remember those people during the holidays and during their birthdays! Do something nice for those who help you with your needs! For instance, my husband's co-workers were extremely supportive throughout his treatment process and surgery. At Christmas time, I baked cookies, and my husband and I made platters of cookies and candy to share with his employees. One of my social network friends was very supportive throughout my husband's illness, and we did the same for his family. You do not have to go out and buy lavish gifts to repay those who have been there for you, but do cherish them! If you cannot afford to buy or make them something, then just remind them on a regular basis how much they mean to you. A little thank you goes a long way. Cherish those people who care about you and your well-being!
With this new technological age and the onset of social networking over the internet, one might feel that he or she has been blessed with hundreds or maybe even thousands of friends. I will admit that I am a member of facebook, and as of today, I have 72 online friends. My nephew has over 1,000 online friends on this social network. However, I ask you this question. How many of those people care about you and your well-being? If you have had a time of need, a crisis, or just someone you needed to talk to, how many of those people are there for you? How many of those people visit you, hang out with you, or call you on the phone and listen to you vent? Yes, you may get an occassional comment to one of your status updates, but how many of those people really know you? How many of them cherish you as one of their personal friends? How many of those people who are your "so-called" friends do you cherish?
My answer to my own question is, "Not many." There may be a handful of people on my facebook profile who are truly my friends. Not many of them go out of their way to send me a message to see how I am doing, to see how my son is doing, or to see how my husband is doing after his treatments have ended. However, I am just as guilty as everyone else in this scenario, because rarely do I send messages to my online friends.
This scenario is not only limited to social networking sites. How many of your co-workers do you know? Do you know your neighbors? How many of your family members do you "really" know? The list could go on and on, but I am sure there are a few people in this world who truly do care about you and your well-being. Cherish those people! Remember those people during the holidays and during their birthdays! Do something nice for those who help you with your needs! For instance, my husband's co-workers were extremely supportive throughout his treatment process and surgery. At Christmas time, I baked cookies, and my husband and I made platters of cookies and candy to share with his employees. One of my social network friends was very supportive throughout my husband's illness, and we did the same for his family. You do not have to go out and buy lavish gifts to repay those who have been there for you, but do cherish them! If you cannot afford to buy or make them something, then just remind them on a regular basis how much they mean to you. A little thank you goes a long way. Cherish those people who care about you and your well-being!
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