The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.
–Henry Ward Beecher
Last night I finished Eric Weiners book – The Geography of Bliss, One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World. I have to say that I know longer feel the need to travel to the happiest places in the world, even though I still want to. I think I finally really get it. Happiness is within us. It is not outside of us. Thats why poor people can be happy and the wealthy can be miserable. We really do create own joy and misery in our minds and hearts. It is what we perceive.
The other day when I was down, and I doing the “poor me” thing to my mother. She said, “Today you are fine, don’t worry about tomorrow.” Then she changed the subject. I immediately became defensive and wanted to argue with her about all the reasons why I should be miserable. But, before I spoke, a thought popped into my head, may be it’s all of my self help talk; It said to me, “Do you really want to be right this time?” “Do you want to be miserable?” “Do you want to argue that you are?” So I didn’t say anything to her, I don’t want to be miserable, and I dont want to be right that I am, and as I let her ramble on about nothing. I thought about what she said before. Right now at this very moment – I am fine.
So I am focusing on all of the things that I have to be grateful for right now. It is surprising how big a list that you can make when you are looking for it. And, if you are grateful, how can you not be happy!
For more on Eric Weiner http://www.ericweinerbooks.com
Just a thought…
Love, Goldi
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Having the perfect life in a perfect world…
