Ray’s Daily
November 26, 2018
“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”
Marcus Aurelius
I appreciated my four day Thanksgiving weekend even though I am suffering with a painful foot infection. I always enjoy spending time with friends and family although this time I was a little out of it due to my illness and medications.
I don’t spend too much time being unhappy always preferring to focus on being happy. Recently I saved an article written by Darren Chowles that I liked, here is an abridged copy of what he wrote.
5 Steps To A Happier Life
Many people stumble through life unhappy. Whether it’s a failing relationship, troubles with your job, or a simple lack of interest in anything. There are several small things you can do to change this. I’ve shared a few steps below that I’ve experienced first-hand.
- Material things won’t make you happy – Material things simply won’t make you happy long-term. Sure, in the short term it feels great. Whether it’s a new car, TV, or just a general influx of money. But as you become accustomed to the new situation, the impact fades. It becomes your “new normal”.
Would you be happier if you get that raise? Would your life be better with that new car? The latest smartphone? Temporarily, perhaps. But this vicious cycle is never-ending.
- Do something out of your comfort zone –
Comfort zones are prisons. Yes, it makes you feel safe. But how can you grow as a person if you’re too afraid to try new things? Do things out of your comfort zone. Things that will further your experience. Start with the small things and built upon that.
- Be happy for others, and grateful for what you have – The key here is to be genuinely happy for them. You should always strive for better. But you also need to be grateful for what you have. Once you settle into that mindset, you’ll find yourself being less jealous of others, and happier with what you have.
- Be more self-aware – Before you know what makes you happy, you need to know yourself.
In this always-connected age, we rarely have time to just sit and think. We’re rushed from the moment we wake up until the moment we hit the pillow.
One way of exploring who you are is introspection. Find a quiet spot, close your eyes, and observe yourself. Self-reflect on what you’ve done the last day, week, month or year. How you’ve treated people. What is your passion? How do you want to grow personally? Don’t judge yourself. Let your thoughts flow and try to avoid any distractions. If you’re in a busy household, try waking up a little earlier to find some quiet time.
- Stop caring what people think – Stop being a people pleaser! Do what makes you happy.
Focus on what brings joy to your life. Be unapologetic. Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated emotionally. Surround yourself with people that appreciate you. Exclude toxic people from your life.
I’ve found far too many people bend over backwards for others at their own expense. It’s time you start doing things for you. And if people are offended, who cares? One day when you look back on your life, you want to say you’re glad you lived your life for you.
That you were true to yourself.
~~~
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”
Epictetus
~~~
A man is having a problem with his son and goes to see his rabbi. “I sent him to Hebrew School and gave him a very expensive Bar Mitzvah,” says the man, “and now he tells me he’s decided to be a Christian! Rabbi, where did I go wrong?”
“Funny you should come to me,” said the Rabbi. “I also brought my boy up in the faith and gave him a fancy Bar Mitzvah. Then one day he, too, tells me he’s decided to become a Christian.”
“So what did you do?” asked the man.
“I turned to God for the answer,” replied the Rabbi.
“And what did He say?” pressed the man.
Rabbi sighed and said, “God said, ‘Funny you should come to me…’ ”
~~~
I finally did something about my weight: I stopped getting on the scale.
~~~
A man who had just undergone a very complicated operation kept complaining about a bump on his head and a terrible headache. Since his operation had been an intestinal one, there was no earthly reason why he should be complaining of a headache.
Finally his nurse, fearing that the man might be suffering from some post-operative shock, spoke to the doctor about it.
The doctor assured the nurse, “Don’t worry about a thing. He really does have a bump on his head. About halfway through the operation we ran out of anesthetic.”
~~~
Obesity has now been linked to religion and to the number of hours you watch TV. And all this time I thought it had something to do with food.
~~~
“Say, Bill,” a man said to his pal, “how do you like your new job?”
“It’s the worst job I ever had.”
“How long have you been there?”
“About three months.”
“Why don’t you quit?”
“No way. This is the first time in 20 years that I’ve looked forward to going home.”
~~~
“I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.”
Lily Tomlin
~~~
A barber gave a haircut to a priest one day. The priest tried to pay for the haircut but the barber refused saying “you do God’s work.”
The next morning the barber found a dozen bibles at the door to his shop.
A policeman came to the barber for a haircut, and again the barber refused payment saying “you protect the public.” The next morning the barber found a dozen doughnuts at the door to his shop.
A lawyer came to the barber for a haircut, and again the barber refused payment saying “you serve the justice system.” The next morning the barber found a dozen lawyers waiting for a haircut.
~~~
A man whose actions leave his wife speechless has really done something!
~~~
An amateur photographer was invited to dinner with friends and took along a few pictures to show the hostess. She looked at the photos and commented “These are very good! You must have a good camera.”
He didn’t make any comment, but, as he was leaving to go home he said “That was a really delicious meal! You must have some very good pots.”
~~~
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Dr. Seuss
~~~
Ray Mitchell
Indianapolis, Indiana
Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.
Ray’s Daily has been sent for more than fifteen years to people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@gmail.com. Back issues are posted at http://rays-daily,com/ currently there are more than 2000 readers from around the world.
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