Ray's Daily

Life is like a roller coaster, live it, be happy, enjoy life.

Avril Lavigne

I was reminded again on my recent cruise how true it is that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. As an example we saw a show that was like a mini Cirque De Soleil that most thought was fantastic while one in our party did not like it at all. The same applies to taste in food, what one likes another hates. The problem begins when we report our personal tastes as being objective and that everyone else will feel the same way they do, rather than reporting opinions as being personal to the reporter.

The problem for me is those folks who have lost their ability to appreciate more than they do; they are the ones who concentrate on looking for flaws that they can point out to the rest of us. In truth I don’t like spending time with negative folks who like to rain on my parade, but I do feel sorry for all they are missing. I wish they would redirect their negative energy into pursuing what is right with the world rather than concentrating what is wrong. So I post the following article by Peter Clemens that you may want to pass on to a naysayer as I know you don’t need it.

How to Enjoy Life

1. Appreciate Beauty. Each day we come across beauty in a number of shapes and forms. It’s a shame, then, that many people have become so accustomed to this beauty that it largely goes unappreciated. I suggest looking again at the people, plants, gadgets, and buildings (to name but a few examples) around you and taking a moment to appreciate what makes them so special.

2. Connect With Nature. Nature is an amazing healer for the stresses and strains of modern life. Eating lunch in the park, attending to a vegetable garden in your backyard, or watching the sunset are just a few simple ideas for how you can enjoy the outdoors on a daily basis.

3. Laugh. E. E. Cummings once said “the most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” How very true. Never be too busy to laugh, or too serious to smile. Instead, surround yourself with fun people and don’t get caught up in your own sense of importance.

4. Have Simple Pleasures. A good cup of coffee when I first wake. Time spent playing with my 8 month old son. Cooking a nice meal in the evening. These may not seem terribly exciting, but they are some of the simple pleasures I enjoy in life. If you slow down for just a moment and take the time to appreciate these ordinary events, life becomes instantly more enjoyable.

5. Connect With People. In so many ways, it is our relationships with people that give us the most happiness in life. Perhaps, then, the best way to enjoy your work more is not to get a raise or a promotion, but rather to build rewarding relationships with your co-workers.

6. Learn. There is a strong link between learning and happiness. Given this, there is no excuse not to be stimulating your brain and learning something new each day. My favorite way to find time for learning is to make the most of the commute to and from work. Audiobooks and podcasts are great for this purpose.

7. Rethink Your Mornings and Evenings. Are the mornings a mad rush for you to get out the door? Do you switch off the TV at night and go straight to bed? I have personally experienced the profound benefits of establishing a routine in the morning and evening. For example, in the morning you may choose to wake an hour earlier and spend the time working on yourself, whether it be reading, writing or exercising. In the evening, consider spending some time just before bed reviewing your day or in meditation.

8. Celebrate Your Successes. During a normal day we are sure to have some minor successes. Perhaps you have successfully dealt with a difficult customer, made a sale, or received a nice compliment for your work. These aren’t events worth throwing a party for, but why not take a moment to celebrate your success? Share the experience with someone else, reward yourself with a nice lunch, or just give yourself a mental pat on the back.

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I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world.  This makes it hard to plan the day.

Elwyn Brooks White

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WHY AGING ISN’T SO BAD:

Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can’t remember them either.

Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.

No one expects you to run into a burning building.

There’s nothing left to learn the hard way.

Your joints are more accurate than the National Weather Service.

In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

~~~

Q: How many Zen Buddhists does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Three. One too change the light bulb, one not to change the light bulb, and one to change AND not change the light bulb.

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“When I have a kid, I wanna put him in one of those strollers for twins, then run around the mall looking frantic.”

Steven Wright

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A minister told his congregation, “Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17.”

The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17.

Every hand went up.

The minister smiled and said, “Mark has only sixteen chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying.”

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Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.

Karl Barth

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Morris telephoned his wife Sadie. “Sadie, darling, I’ve got some good news. You know that Broadway musical you’ve been dying to see?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’ve just bought us two tickets to see it.”

“Oh Morris, that’s wonderful. I’ll start dressing immediately.”

“Sadie, that’s just what I wanted to hear you say. The tickets are for tomorrow night’s performance.”

~~~

“I just got one of those new devices that make my cell phone “hands free.” Now I can get back to eating and drinking when I drive!”

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One day a little girl came home from school, and said to her mother, “Mommy, today in school I was punished for something that I didn’t do.”

The mother exclaimed, “But that’s terrible! I’m going to have a talk with your teacher about this! By the way, what was it that you didn’t do?”

The little girl replied, “My homework.”

~~~

We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.

William Arthur Ward

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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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