Ray's Daily

“All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within.”

Horace Friess

Someone asked me recently why I seem so happy most of the time. My response was because I am. As I thought about it I wondered why I am different than far too many of the people I meet these days. All I really could come up with is that I don’t want to waste time focusing on unhappiness and that I really like almost everyone I meet. If I stopped to think about the downpour I was in today as something that was bad and interfering with my day I would have focused on what was wrong rather than being glad I had my big umbrella so I could go in and buy a bucket of great bagels which always makes me happy. Of course not everyone I meet are all that likeable; when do meet those kind of folks I prefer not to dislike them and usually do them the favor of not burdening them with my friendship. All in all I live in the same world with those who seem to avoid being happy, I just choose to live in it differently than they do.

So if you would rather be happier than you are, choose to do so. Here are some suggestions I edited from the Squidoo blog that may help you enjoy life more.

PLOW your own happiness

Perhaps it is because I am a gardener at heart, but for me the new year really begins in the Spring. So it seems natural to me to begin thinking in terms of gardening and farming. Also because I am happier it makes me want to spread the joy. I have come up with this four-step plan to help you achieve a happier life. The key to happiness is not difficult although it does seem to elude so many people. Here are my thoughts on happiness.

Recipe For Happiness

Step One – Plan For It

Too many people expect to win happiness in the lottery of life. Happiness is not a prize, it is a goal. Happiness does not just happen, it must be welcomed. If you do not expect and look for happiness then you most likely are missing opportunities to be happy every day.Make a life plan for your own happiness. What do you want? What will make you happy? Make a list, check it twice, and then move on to the next step.

Step Two – Let It Happen

Many people are afraid to be happy. They are unwilling to take risks or even make choices because all they can think about is the potential for loss. That is a perfect recipe for unhappiness.

If you are unable to put yourself in the way of happiness then you will miss it every time. Take a chance or make a choice. What is the worst that can happen? If you don’t risk then you lose by default. If you risk then at least you have a chance at success.

Many people discover happiness during their pursuit – don’t overlook that potential as well. Happiness can be found in unexpected places if you open yourself to opportunity, so move on to the next step.

Step Three – Open Yourself To It

The unhappy people that I know are usually unhappy for two reasons. One group believes they do not deserve happiness and the other group actually undermines their happiness by closing themselves off.

Everyone deserves to be happy and it makes me so sad when I see people settle for anything less. It also causes me worry because I believe that so much of what is wrong with our world today is caused by unhappy people. Happy people, as a rule, do not harm others. Happy people cause good things to happen which then creates more happy people. What a wonderful synergy!

I find the other group even sadder. It is bad enough to think you do not deserve happiness, but to actually refuse to allow yourself to be happy is definitely worse in my book. It is horribly destructive and obviously self-perpetuating, but some of these unhappy people, I believe, are to blame for the unhappiness of others – or at least contribute to it.

Step Four – Wave Good-bye To Your Troubles

One of the most frustrating things for me is when someone is unhappy about something specific – and yet they refuse to make a change to do away with the problem.  Your job makes you unhappy? Get a new one! Your husband makes you unhappy? Work on your relationship? Your child makes you unhappy? Correct their behavior.

I know it is not always that simple but even in the most desperate situations there is some element that is subject to change. Focus on that one area and you might find the whole picture changes. If you surrender to your unhappiness then it will take over, but fighting itgives you the potential to win your own happiness and change your life. I know which path I’ll choose every day.

In the end you and you alone have the power over your own happiness. You choose to be happy or to be unhappy. Which will you choose?

~~~

You’ve got to dance like nobody’s watching and love like it is never going to hurt.

Ann Wells

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A young attorney who had taken over his father’s practice rushed home elated one night. “Dad, listen,” he shouted, “I’ve finally settled that old McKinney suit.”

“Settled it!?!” cried his astonished father. “Why, I gave that to you as an annuity for life.”

~~~

“Kissing is a means of getting two people so close together that they can’t see anything wrong with each other.”

Rene Yasenek

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A manager has to take on some sport by his doctor so he decides to play tennis. After a couple of weeks his secretary asks him how he’s doing. “It’s going fine”, the manager says, “When I’m on the court and I see the ball speeding towards me my brain immediately says: To the corner! Back hand! To the net! Smash! Go back!”

“Really? What happens then?” the girl asks enthusiastic.

“Then my body says: Who? Me? Don’t talk nonsense!”

~~~

Too many people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting gold.

Maurice Setter

~~~

O’Sullivan, Cabot, Kelly and Mendlebaum was one of the most successful law firms in New York. Of all the partners, Mendlebaum brought in the most business.

Lunching with him one day, a curious friend asked, “Why is your name listed last? O’Sullivan spends most of his time in the south of France. Cabot is at his club’s bar every afternoon, and Kelly  is at the race track all the time. Since you bring in all the business, your name should be first.”

Mendlebaum beamed, “All my clients read from right to left.”

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I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places.

Henny Youngman

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Congratulating a friend after her son and daughter got married within a month of each other, a woman asked, “What kind of boy did your daughter marry?”

“Oh, he’s wonderful,” gushed the mother. “He lets her sleep late, wants her to go to the beauty parlor regularly, and insists on taking her out to dinner every night.”

“That’s nice,” said the woman. “What about your son?”

“I’m not so happy about that,” the mother sighed. “His wife sleeps late, spends all her time in the beauty parlor, and makes them eat take-out meals!”

~~~

Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.

Buddha

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

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