Happiness

Subject: Re: Happiness Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:09 pm

Dear Carol,
I thought I saw the last of the great northern lights hovering over Wisconsin last night. I look out my windows with my blind eyes, (no glasses or contacts) and the lights of the sky are a prism of color expanded into a million refractions with rays vibrating. I wish that our Kathleen O'Donnell could see through my eyes and write the poetry for the visions. She has seen her own and they are just as wonderful.

I am so glad that you are better. What a lovely person you are! I imagine that you glow in the dark and send off sparkles.

Love, Betty

Subject: Re: Happiness Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:17 pm

I have not communicated with Kathleen for a long time. She is a wonderful poet and I have given her poetry books to my granddaughter.

Thank you for your beautiful words, Betty.

Love, Carol

Subject: Re: Happiness Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:04 pm

Happiness is...

A world where people can come together with kindness and respect even if they don't agree.

People caring about each other and supporting them despite their differences.

Listening with a neutral and compassionate ear to what others have to say.

Lying in bed at night and knowing you have done the best you could and going to sleep with a clean conscience.

Not being judged for differing thoughts and opinions.

Seeing the smile on someone's face when you have done them a good deed.

Subject: Re: Happiness Fri Apr 17, 2009 3:14 am

Enough said Mel. Good thoughts to live by. Lived hard and grew up rough and didn't always make the right decisions and sometimes oh heck most of the time I still don't. I have learned over the years and these days I can go to bed with a clear conscience. Feels good doesn't it.

Subject: Re: Happiness Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:41 am

When I've learned all there is to know, I'm done. Personally, I'm not ready for "done" yet; so I think learning more is a better option.

For all my philosophical meanderings regarding happiness, it's probably just a state of mind after all. I'm not sure it is a "choice" as some would claim; but it has elements of choice.

Subject: Re: Happiness Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:09 am

DK, I think the 'choice' comes in when we decide (choose) what we are going to focus on.

Subject: Re: Happiness Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:18 am

I like the quote:

Misery is optional.

Subject: Re: Happiness Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:22 am

I used to think so until I saw misery beyond comprehension; experienced some pretty bad things myself; saw it inflicted on others. Now, misery may be optional for some; but for many, I now believe it is beyond their control.

Subject: Re: Happiness Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:33 am

Very true, DK. It isn't always optional.

There sure are some sad stories out there. It is discouraging at times.

Carol

Subject: Re: Happiness Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:30 am

Carol,
you would not have made a good Puritan. You're too happy.
The biggest fear of a Puritan was to become happy. It was a sin.

Subject: Re: Happiness Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:40 am

Yep, which is why I still get worried whenever things get too good.

But we are da*ned if we do and d*ned if we don't, because if we aren't successful in life, we aren't in a state of grace.

Ann

Subject: Re: Happiness Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:19 am

Don't worry--be happy--we are all gonna die--sometime.

Nobody gets out of here alive.

Acceptance is important--accept that you are not perfect and neither is anyone else.

Laugh and worry endlessly about everything--if you worry about it it probably will not happen.

Subject: Re: Happiness Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:55 am

Alice,
To copy you own words, "when you're right, you're right."

» State of Happiness