“Are YOU… HAPPY NOW” 2017
Unlocking the Happiness Built into Us
- Ben Fuchs
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
―Confucius
We humans make things so complicated.
Take the subject of happiness, which can be as elusive as it is desirable. According to an online Harris Poll of 2,345 U.S. adults, only one in three Americans say they’re ‘very happy’, as has been the trend since 2009.
Even worse, our drive to be happy may interfere with achieving the goal. When we strongly want to be happy we may create a standard that can’t be met. Thinking: “I must always be happy” can result in disappointment and guilt, which ironically can prevent the happiness we so desire.
According to happiness researcher Brett Q. Ford of the University of California at Berkeley, “Part of the reason that wanting to be happy backfires in the U.S. is that people get down on themselves. Also, wanting happiness can make you self-focused and disengaged, and then you’re kind of lonely, and that interferes with feeling happy, too.”
Yet, as it turns out, happiness is built into us and we all have access to it, all the time, at any time. The problem is we believe that happiness is the result of an outward focus. The fact escapes us that happiness is an inner condition that involves our thoughts, feelings and biochemistry, which are obviously INSIDE us.
Once we understand the internal nature of the condition we can take this happiness horse by the reins and be happy whenever we like.
Instantly!
Here’s the secret, and don’t be deceived by its utter simplicity.
If you want to be happy all the time: find something to be happy about all the time!
At any given moment, you can choose dozens of things to be happy about. No matter how bad things seem to be, like the man who complained about having no shoes, until he saw another man with no legs, there is always something we can be happy about – a warm bed, a friend, spouse, lover, child, pet, job, not being in pain, eyesight, hearing, hands, feet, fingers, toes, ability to walk, no deformities etc.
The bad news: our brains are hard-wired for survival which is the primal imperative. Thus, the default perspective of the human brain is on what’s wrong, not what’s right. After all, what’s wrong can kill you, what’s right probably won’t.
The good news: we can only think one thought at a time.
In other words, if you are thinking a good thought you CANNOT at the same time think a bad one. Thus, to be constantly happy, be constantly thinking good thoughts.
Because our brains can’t tell the difference between what we’re thinking in our heads and what’s really happening in our physical, real life experiences, by placing attention on what’s right, we’ll be upregulating and enhancing the activity of dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin, which are the brain correlates of contentment and satisfaction. As far as our bodies and its biochemistry are concerned, we really will be happy!
If you’re spiritual, you’re lucky. That means you can focus on spirit, or, if you prefer, GOD, or All That Is, or Jesus, whatever moniker you want to use for the nameless Force that drives creation. This, by the way is the true meaning of Paul’s New Testament admonition in Thessalonians 5:17 to “Pray without ceasing”.
Is that too simple?
Well maybe it is but don’t be fooled, the greatest ideas usually are. As playwright Clare Boothe Luce wrote in the 1930’s “…the height of sophistication is simplicity”.
If you’re feeling less happy than you’d like, give it a shot. Write down 10 or 20 or even 100 things you appreciate in your life. Then, every time some unpleasant thought arises, redirect your attention to something on the list. Over and over and over use all negative thoughts as a signal or cue to return to something you’re happy about. Try and see what happens. Chances are it will be much harder to stay with negativity, and even if you only manage to catch yourself and redirect just a few times a day, you’re going to find yourself a lot happier than you would be otherwise. If you keep at it, eventually you may very well find yourself happy most, or even all of the time!
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“Another CHRISTMAS CARD — Others were sent earlier”
Christmas Card…from GUIDEPOSTS…
Your Friends at Guideposts Have Sent You a Christmas Greeting.
To view your Merry Christmas eCard, please click the card above or
copy and paste the link below into your browser:
http://info.guideposts.org/
Check out this Christmas CARD…
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“Christmas EVE – – EXTRA SPECIAL”
This is a real old PHOTO – – when we were in the “German St. Vincent’s Orphanage” – at 7401 Florissant Road, 63121 – – just in case you would like to take a tour of the Place – – and or volunteer – – as they always have activities requiring some help with taking the children to different events.
“Christmas Eve at St. Vincent’s…”
Do you remember what we did… or even WHAT you were doing… and even if you were alive – – so far back in TIME… when we were all little children… way back and into the 1940’s and even into the 1930’s… like ME?
As you look at this scene of our procession of bringing the “Infant Jesus” to the crib area and placing HIM there on this evening – – certain children were chosen to partake in this – – and this completed the four weeks of ADVENT services – – and after this – – we would then proceed to the class rooms to finish this day of special activities.
This was German St. Vincent Orphan Home…Normandy, Missouri… and we had the Christmas Eve serveries before going to the Class Rooms to see what SANTA could have brought to us – – and the best part of all this – – would be… our PARENTS would come to the ORPHANAGE the next day – – to take us home for a couple of weeks – – and that was the best part of CHRISTMAS… for ME.
Remembering… there were some children that never got to go HOME with their PARENTS – – they may have lived out of STATE — – or had other things to do – – but as I remember – – some children never… ever receive “VISITS” from any of their FAMILY – – and until just now – – thinking about a child never seeing their own FAMILY – – on HOLIDAYS – – and not even on their BIRTHDAYS – – I am surprised that the “ORPHANAGE” did not make arrangements for them – – in some way or the other… have some kind of special VISITS or other kinds of OUTINGS – – – – “How do you let a small child feel so lonely – – with never a personal VISIT – – from someone?” D.V.
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“Merry CHRISTMAS” to all those at the PARTY”
“Is this a PHOTO of HAPPY PEOPLE – – or WHAT?”
This is a pre- destined – – by extra special arrangement – – by the Almighty – – WHO would have ever guessed… that the youngest “GRAND-DAUGHTER, JAIME ” would find a perfect match for her husband, TYLER – – and that ‘he’ would have the exact “BIRTH DATE” as her good ole GRANDMA – – which… would be only ole ME!
“Just let the “SUNSHINE” – – shine on in!”
“DADDY-O…HIMSELF” – – one of the working “ELF’S” that is getting a big “Surprise” – – something highly unexpected!” ?????????
“WOW” WHAT a big surprise – – a little something for the “New-born BABE-to-be” in the… first quarter… of 2018???”
“WOW” – – “What a terrific smile on the face of my “A #1 GRANDSON, Alan” – – I am so LUCKY to have such a great “GRANDSON” – – because… he set up this “fourgrandmas.com” web-site for me – – and is always there to give me the help I need – – to make it such a great “HIT” for all of the wonderful followers – – and family that like the stuff I post about them – – and all of the old FAMILY HISTORY – – that I put out there for them – – and for all time.”
This is the best couple of youngsters – – – – both so creative and so full of energy – – always ready to help and take terrific PHOTOS – – of the FAMILY get togethers – – so that I have new and up-to-date stuff to write and POST!”
This is my “A # 1 Grand-daughter Alyssa” and NEWLY expecting MOM – – with her husband , ANDY – – with a new gift from “SANTA” – – that will be very helpful – – when the “NEW-BORN” baby – – decides to appear on the ‘best day’ of 2018!”
“Santa Al, himself – – and his “A #1 HELPER, Tyler” – – flies thought the air – – with the wings of “MERCURY” – – everyone knows – – that everything arrives on TIME – – with the wings of ‘MERCURY, the Messenger’ – – “Western Union” uses the very same messenger!” D.V.
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“Live in MISSOURI – YOU NEED TO KNOW”
Thought you’d enjoy this!
It’s one you want your Children and Grandchildren to read.
They won’t believe this happened, but it Did.
Harry & Bess
(This seems unreal.)
Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made as many, or more important decisions regarding our nation’s history as any of the other 42 Presidents preceding him. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.
The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri. His wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there.
When he retired from office in 1952 his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an ‘allowance’ and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.
After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them.
When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, “You don’t want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it’s not for sale.”
Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, “I don’t consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise.”
As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.
Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale.
Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, “My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there’s hardly any difference!
I say dig him up and clone him!
If you agree, forward it. If you don’t, delete it. I don’t want to know one way or the other. By me forwarding it, you know how I feel.
Enjoy life NOW! — it has an expiration date!
IN GOD WE TRUST…GOD BLESS AMERICA
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