"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness."
- Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Been carrying this quote around with me since college. Yep. Some things are worth keeping. And a happy attitude in the face of any and everything that goes on in our lives is one of those things for me.
Yes, I'm that person. Not quite Pollyanna, but I do have a happy tilt towards life. I firmly believe we are given life to enjoy it. So, I make that my work. Everyday. Yes, I said 'work' because sometimes we are served up a helping of &*%@^$ circumstances. I know. I've been through them:
- Getting hit by a car
- Living with the pain of Fibromyalgia
- Being told I'm not the kind of person who is good enough to go to college
- Having my car totaled by a drunk driver
- Being told "I cannot not love you the way you deserved to be loved."
- Not being accepted by my mother-in-law
- Watching my grandmother & mother suffer for years in debilitating illness at the same time
- Losing my mom before I was ready
- Losing myself in a job
- Losing my home unexpectedly
- Losing my relationship with my dad for a few years
- Losing my voice & my health to a cyst
- Losing my passion for a job I loved and a big part of my identity along with that
- Losing my positivity and my joy. . .which lead me to sorrow and hopelessness
All pretty crappy things, right? Which is why I won't even begin to list the frustrations that can come up day to day when things don't go the way I expect them to. That's life. We all have highs and lows. And, what I've learned from my lows is that they are not so bad when you frame them the right way. Yeah, I know this kinda sounds like you're tricking yourself. But really when life goes wild like it sometimes does our perspectives are often the only things we can control. So I choose to control mine. I've learned the hard way what happens when I don't! Thank goodness at least we all have that power to choose our mood.
So, this is the 'work' I do each day. I practice being the master of my focus. Consistently reminding myself that nothing in this life is an accident and all the events that do not go as I would have planned are leading me to better things. Yes, better things. Why? Because I can and because it makes me feel good. It helps me enjoy life. And, ya know what? It works! It lifts me up. All the crappy things end up being not so crappy. Sure, somethings take longer to see the good in than others. But really, keeping my mind on a tilt towards happiness, the belief that life is always working in my favor, especially when I least want to works! In fact, as I look back the darkest nights have all transformed into the brightest new days, leading me to some of life's greatest gifts, ultimately ALL GOOD THINGS. Things so good many times my unexpected twists and turns lead me to outcomes much grander than my wildest dreams! So, I'm thankful for moments of smooth sailing and all of my detours too.
Today and every day I practice this perspective intentionally. I learn and relearn, with each new experience to embrace every part of life, even the not so sweet side, with open arms, letting it work it's way through me, steadily holding my gaze on positivity, enjoyment & hope. Tilting toward happiness in all situations, big and small.
I'm pretty sure this perspective will work for you too. What do you think?
Can you give it a try?
Are there any areas of your life that could some brightening up - a tilt toward happiness?
Do you practice something like this already? If so, Share it! With me & others too!
And, if you like this post let me know that too (in e-mail or social media) & share it. It would mean the world to me and it might just be the right words someone needs to hear today.
Thank you so much for reading and have a great week!
Here's to enjoying your life & ALL GOOD THINGS to come this week and beyond my friends!
