WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2023 - THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS - 1

 WEDNESDAY, JULY 5TH, 2023 - THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

If we accept the Declaration of Independence, we have: “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”.

We have the RIGHT to LIFE

We have the RIGHT to LIBERTY

But, we can only PURSUE HAPPINESS

My illustration today is Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh.  “Eeyore is a fictional character in the Winnie-the-Pooh books by A. A. Milne. He is generally characterized as a pessimistic, gloomy, depressed, old gray stuffed donkey who is a friend of the title character, Winnie-the-Pooh”

Eeyore seems to enjoy being sad.  Life isn’t fair.  

Or from Hee-Haw:

“Gloom, despair, and agony on me
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all
Gloom, despair, and agony on me”

*****

C’mon folks - WE GET TO CHOOSE OUR ATTITUDE.  WE CAN CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY!!!  

*****

True story:

About three years ago I caused a little accident.  I was second in line to get onto a road.  It was slightly downhill.  I was maybe four feet behind the car in front of me.  And, I had just been to the grocery store and had the groceries on the floor on the passenger side of the car.

Well, in the process of stopping, a jar of peanut butter fell out of my bag and was rolling around on the floor.  My foot was on the brake - but I wanted to corral that errant jar of peanut butter.  I had to reach to grab it, and in doing so, my foot came ever so slightly off the brake - and - boom - I hit the car in front of me.  (I was going all of 2 miles an hour sliding down the slight incline).  But, yes, it was my fault.  The police came.  They didn’t issue a ticket but I gave my insurance information to the other driver.  My front bumper got some damage as well.  OUCH.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks.”  

IN EVERYTHING!!!  Even when I rear end some other car!!!  I didn’t allow myself to have a “pity-party” that day.  I was on the side of the street giving THANKS!!  (Really Karen?)

That day, I chose to be happy - to give thanks.  (I don’t always do that).  Like the Declaration of Independence - I can PURSUE happiness.  It is a choice!!!

Okay - some ideas to PURSUE happiness:

1. Attitude of Gratitude:

Research studies “has shown that taking the time to give thanks is directly linked to increased happiness.” (In everything, give thanks?)

2. If you want to be happy - do the things you enjoy!!!

I like to walk, I like to write - so those things get done on a regular basis!!!  (I don’t enjoy cleaning my apartment quite as much <grin>)

3. Learn to love your job!
Okay, I have (generally) learned to love my job.  I love being with my senior clients and trying to love them, encourage them, and make them smile or laugh.  Yes, it isn’t a joy every moment, but I know I have to be positive - I have to pursue happiness at my job!!!

(With pretty much all jobs, there may be times when it isn’t all fun and games.  I loved my teaching, my students, and I wasn’t always happy when I spent hours grading term papers and final tests)

4. Celebrate

I like to celebrate.  I’ve had “hat day” with my senior people, I wear my clown wig, I blow up balloons (and let them go).  Parties are fun - and fun and happiness go together.  

5. Spend on experiences, not things.

Things get in the way - but experiences stick in our brains.

6. Buy time.

Find shortcuts that give you more time with the things that you love.  As a professor, I learned to find time to play with the pep band, with two symphony orchestras, be an advisor to two campus groups, 

7. Invest in others.

There is a concept “You can’t outgive God”.  And, “God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).  Andrew Carnegie (American entrepreneur) said “The sole purpose of being rich is to give away money”.

And, always - CHOOSE HAPPINESS AS A MENTAL INVESTMENT.

LOVE WINS
LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, JULY 5TH, 2023