HAPPY DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN
The 2 hardest topics for me to write about are writing using humor that makes a reader want to chuckle and maybe even laugh out loud. The other is to describe my ideas “on being happy” of how I slide in and out of that place in my mind that causes me to feel happy. For me it’s not a feeling that can be maintained for long periods of time as my Webster’s New World Dictionary say’s that I will enjoy feelings of great pleasure, contentment and joy. Well that’s a place I know most of us would like to spend our lives but reality says that’s not possible, so for me what is possible? If a person could draw a straight line in his or her mind and label it “Satisfied” for me that is realistically where I can hang my hat. My desire will be to live on the high side of the line. What’s nice as I get older is that I find as long as my health holds out it gets easier to stay on the high side. So what’s on the High side of “satisfied”? That’s where giving, passion for your work, sense of humor, honesty, truthfulness, dependable, positive attitude, can except blame and I’m sure there are others that a person will think are important. Now, just because you tallied up all these qualities and can own most all of them doesn’t guarantee that you will always stay on the high side. We’re all allowed those times when a boat load of disappointments makes “below the line look attractive” take a deep breath and look up to see that those clouds of blighted hope have a Silver Lining. Now it’s just a matter of leaving your woes behind and step over the line to the high side and hilarious happiness will be yours and then in the course of time you will return to that sustainable satisfied mind. If these qualities are mostly missing from your personality I think you will find yourself living most all of your time below the line. Down where lying and cheating are common, where jealousy and envy are part of the mosaic and selfishness is always in full view. I could spend more time pointing out our lousy side but I think we all know that happiness found here will be measured in nanoseconds. I don’t know if minds will be changed but I’ve clarified in my mind that as look back over 82 years of life I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed my journey.
See ya,
Jack