Happiness Depends on Perception

Our happiness depends on our perception of the world.

Even on bleak days

there are certain facts that I stand on

I am alive,

healthy

not living on the street

but in a large old, quirky house

with acres of gardens, trees and meadows.

I am still married after almost 35 years

with 9 healthy, successful adult kids and 5 grandkids

loved by my family and God,

even if I drive them crazy with my eccentricity

I have a computer,

two hands with all my fingers to type

and time to write for the first time in three decades.

reasons to rejoice

reasons that I stand on every day’

even on bad days

How you answer the old question, “Is the glass half full or half empty” really does matter. It is amazing how I can turn my misery switch on and off and my joy button on and off. It really does matter how I view the world. It is a matter of taking a step back and looking at the big picture.

Do I choose to squint and focus on the thorns or do I step back and see the beauty of the entire bush. Do I focus on every miserable detail that goes wrong in my life or do I step back and thank God for everything that is right with it.

Gratitude: The Secret Key to Happiness

Once I start thinking of what I have to be grateful for, I could go on forever. Perhaps that is why I am basically joyful. Afterall that is what everyone from cognitive therapists to priests during sermons to self help gurus keep trying to get through our heads. When we are thankful and grateful, we are happier and more content. Period.

I even read a book, written by a monk, that claims that gratitude is the key to opening the door to the spiritual life. I have discovered that this is true. So come with me. Stop for a moment and think of just a few of the hundreds of things that you are grateful for and join us with a gratitude list of your own.I will help get your mind moving in the right direction..

My Gratitude List

• I am happy that I have all my limbs, that I breathe on my own, that I can see and hear and basically that my body is healthy
• I am of sound mind….. ummm . that depends on who you are talking to but from my perspective, I am in deed of sound mind.
• Somehow we managed to raise 9 great kids and I am proud of each one of them, even slightly flabbergasted that they turned out so well
• I am grateful to be the grandmother of 4 and three quarters grandchildren who are strikingly gorgeous!