A Joyous Good Morning to You All!
How is everyone today? I think that the weather has improved for a great deal of the country. Florida is finally getting a warm-up. It has been crazy cold here! But, I’m not complaining. So many of you have been freezing–literally!
My theme today is The quest for happiness, something that seems to elude so many of us. Much is written about finding happiness. Many sources speak to the difficulty of this search. Apparently, many of us deny ourselves happiness, as we think we don’t deserve it. Or we think that if we are happy, now, that something terrible is coming to dispel it.
So what do we do? “Practice acceptance”, says M. J. Ryan, author of The Happiness Makeover,”try not to judge yourself or others critically. . .they’re (you are) doing the best they (you) can”. Ryan also speaks about thankfulness, for today, and for what you have. She emphasizes celebrating good things, as this creates joy.
Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, author of The How of Happiness, says that there is a “genetic component to happiness”. But, she says that it is also “a skill you can learn”.
Other habits to break are, ruminating (circular thought patterns) and negative thinking. Keep an open mind! (jan 10 family circle 99 , Happy Talk by Steve Calechman)
More good reads are Happiness Now, by Robert Holden, PhD, and Shortcuts to Bliss, by Jonathan Robinson. If you are not into reading self-help books, look to the internet for articles and quotes to make you smile.
Oh, by the way, today’s photo is of my friend Dani, who is exploring and hacking her way through the jungle of life. I love this picture, Dani reminds me of Lucille Ball here. Too droll!
How is everyone today? I think that the weather has improved for a great deal of the country. Florida is finally getting a warm-up. It has been crazy cold here! But, I’m not complaining. So many of you have been freezing–literally!
My theme today is The quest for happiness, something that seems to elude so many of us. Much is written about finding happiness. Many sources speak to the difficulty of this search. Apparently, many of us deny ourselves happiness, as we think we don’t deserve it. Or we think that if we are happy, now, that something terrible is coming to dispel it.
So what do we do? “Practice acceptance”, says M. J. Ryan, author of The Happiness Makeover,”try not to judge yourself or others critically. . .they’re (you are) doing the best they (you) can”. Ryan also speaks about thankfulness, for today, and for what you have. She emphasizes celebrating good things, as this creates joy.
Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, author of The How of Happiness, says that there is a “genetic component to happiness”. But, she says that it is also “a skill you can learn”.
Other habits to break are, ruminating (circular thought patterns) and negative thinking. Keep an open mind! (jan 10 family circle 99 , Happy Talk by Steve Calechman)
More good reads are Happiness Now, by Robert Holden, PhD, and Shortcuts to Bliss, by Jonathan Robinson. If you are not into reading self-help books, look to the internet for articles and quotes to make you smile.
Oh, by the way, today’s photo is of my friend Dani, who is exploring and hacking her way through the jungle of life. I love this picture, Dani reminds me of Lucille Ball here. Too droll!
Quotes:
Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy–Anne Frank
Optimism: a cheerful frame of mind that enables a tea kettle to sing though in hot water up to its nose–Unknown
Happiness is not in things; happiness is in you–Robert Holden
When one door of happiness closes, another opens: but, often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us–Helen Keller
And lastly, a poem from Water Running Downhill!
State of Grace
I sent this message
Out to you
Grasp it
Let it define you
Live it
Take it to heart
The revelation is
This is the moment
The present, and
Nothing else exists
Be here
Seize the “now”
Be your bliss
And therefore
You shall be
Blessed
Have a great week! Smile!
Joan Ellen Gage 
Joan Ellen,What an uplifting posting on this day when they are predicting rain for this afternoon, tomorrow, and storms for Thursday. Yes, we must think positive, and pursue happiness, look for good things, focus on joy. Thank you for this wonderful posting. I sure needed it.
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How do you keep that upbeat attitude, Joan? I try, but I have to admit, I can't keep it all the time.Happiness to me is being content with who I am. For many years I didn't recognize my happiness. But one day I realized I was happy much more than I was unhappy. And it was because I was satisfied with the person I had become. I learned to like me. And that made me happy.
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