Favorite Quotes Friday – 6/06/2014

I’ve written about living in the present, stopping to smell the roses, enjoying what life has for us today, no matter how much better we wish it were. Here’s another man’s perspective.

Count each day as a blessing no matter what. It is a gift those who are gone wish they still had. We have a tendency to trample on our lives by regretting the past, dreading the future, or living only for the future… We’re always living somewhere but this present moment.

~~ Peter Matthiessen, American Novelist ~~

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The Good Life and Contentment

A contented mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world.
Joseph Addison (1672-1719) Poet, Playwright

How often have we heard reference made to the “rat race.” There’s a reason it’s called that… little rodents running to and fro. It can be a real rat race for those who struggle for the so-called “good life.” But, what’s so good about life when you have no time to enjoy it? Lots of hustle and bustle but little to no time for family, not to mention friends… sometimes even self. Often, when it’s too late some find they’ve run the race and climbed the ladder of success only to find it’s leaned against the wrong wall.

12 Ways to Happy – Part 2

So, did you do your homework yesterday?  Did you read my post, Part 1 of this 2-part series?  If you didn’t then the following won’t make nearly as much sense as it could.  Go ahead, if you didn’t, take just a few minutes and at least read Part 1.  I’ll be here when you get back … … … …

If however you did read Part 1, then you’re all set.  Read on.  The following is my assessment of how I’m doing with the 12 habits that will take us a long ways down the road to Happy.  Think about you as you read about me.

According to the original web site that started all-this: Studies conducted by positivity psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky point to 12 things happy people do differently to increase their levels of happiness.  These are things that we can start doing today to feel the effects of more happiness in our lives.  

Here we go!

12 Ways to Happy – Part 1

There’s a lot of unhappiness around the world.  Have you noticed?  We see it most anywhere we go. 

Just last Saturday I saw it on the face of an older woman at a restaurant.  It was heart-wrenching.  Of course I don’t know what brought her such displeasure but as she spoke to the two men sitting with her she wept and hung her head low with her gaze down, hardly able to look up.  It went on for quite a while. 

One of her companions made efforts to reassure her, gently reaching out, patting her on the hand and arm, speaking to her in whispered tones.  The other just sat and listened.  When she would look up I could see the pain etched in her face and in some bizaar way I felt her pain as well (Bill Clinton jokes aside).  I felt pity for this woman, I almost want to cry as I write about it.  I can relate to that kind of pain and while I sat across the room and watched I wanted to go to her aid.  I wanted to tell her everything will be okay.  Of course I don’t know that, but words of support and encouragement can go a long ways, even sometimes from a stranger.