I haven't blogged for a little while, so I thought that I should do so now. It has been a very strange time in the world during the last month. We have had earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, storms all over Europe, a death at the Olympics, and a death in Vancouver while the Olympics were taking place. With all of these sad things occuring, it is good to see that there are many not so sad things taking place as well. It was good to see Canada break two Olympic records. The first, never having won a gold while hosting the Olympics, and second, winning more gold medals than any other country who has ever hosted the Winter Olympics. From famine to feast, so to speak.
I was thinking about the earthquakes, and storms, and deaths; and I realised how blessed I really am. My children have enough food to eat, they have clothes to wear, they have a roof over their heads, they have each other, and they have two parents who really love them. I have a wonderful wife, and again, my children are awesome. I have a roof over my head, a job (for now) that I love, and talents and opportunities galore. Are there things in my life that I wish weren't there? Yes. However, my focus is on what brings me joy and gives me hope, life would be too unbearable otherwise. We all have a measure of both good and bad in our lives, and although that measure is not often very equal, we need to realise that everything is cyclical, and that there will be times that our measure of good will outweigh our share of bad.
Happiness is a choice. Sometimes it is a very difficult choice, but it is still ours to make. It becomes easier when we focus on the things in our lives that are wonderful, joyful, and positive. This doesn't mean we ignore the sad or hurtful things, it just means that we relegate them to the appropriate shelf and deal with them as they deserve, never forgetting the things in our lives that make life worth living.
Exult in all that you love and enjoy, take pride in your accomplishments, and remember that good things will happen, even in the midst of great sorrow. Be happy, no matter what...
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I absolutely agree that happiness is a choice. My father used to glare at my mother and say in scathing tones, "It takes so little to make you happy." I never understood why that was a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteOne of the greatest blessings in my life is learning the lesson of happiness from my mother. Rejoicing in the everyday. Sharing a smile with someone you don't know just because you can. Laughing freely about something silly.
It takes very little to make me happy. Just knowing that about myself makes me happy. And yes, it's really just that simple most of the time.
Thanks, Mike. I needed to read this today.
Virginia, your comment was what I needed to read today. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Mike.
ReplyDeleteI've actually been thinking a lot about this lately. I'm a pretty upbeat person, and can't help but be grateful and look on the bright side of things, but a really good friend of mine that I grew up with struggled for so long and then finally went on anti-depressants - which changed her life, only she felt defeated for not having a naturally positive outlook! As a result, she was really conflicted, and even though she was finally at a place where the sun could shine, she almost didn't want to let it.
It made me think of how the sun is always shining, but we sometimes let life's clouds get in the way, or even turn our backs and choose to live in the shadows. Happiness really is a choice, and I believe gratitude is the best way to bask in the sun's radiant warmth, no matter what life throws our way.
Hmm, awfully long-winded today, aren't I?