The month is coming to a close. We have been focusing this month on giving ourselves permission to be happy. One of the things I like to do is leave myself little notes where I can see them, usually around my computer. For example, I have my word of the year “Yield” posted in several places. And another reminder “Live it – then teach it.”
Are there any quotations, Bible verses, thoughts, insights that speak to you about giving yourself permission to be happy? This might be a good time to think of some reminders as a way of reinforcing the good habits we have been establishing this month.
One of my favorites is Fun is good. My son’s doctor said this to me to remind me to let James have fun instead of always focusing on therapy for his autism.
Buddha said There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.
The joy of the Lord is your strength. Neh. 8:10
One gently walks with you who answers all your fears with one merciful reply, “It is not so.” –A Course in Miracles
And of course this classic by Eduardo Galeano–
The church says: The body is a sin.
Science says: The body is a machine.
Advertising says: The body is a business.
The body says: I am a fiesta!
What about you? I’m hoping that we can collect a cornucopia of inspiration in the comments. Something for everyone!
I always have to stop and think when I come here (I mean that in a positive way). It's easy to be glib and sail about not really focusing on things that make me think but you bring out the best in me. I went away after i read this post and Googled quotes about being happy because all I could think of were songs. I found these which I liked:
ReplyDelete'Each day do something to make you feel happy, until this becomes a habit'
'Choose happiness, concentrate on happiness and you will find it everywhere.'
It's like everything in life you have to choose to be happy. Some days you just can't be but if you learn to appreciate life, nature and people then I expect happiness will follow.
I'm worn out now with all this thinking! Many thanks for dropping by my blog yesterday. I wanted to say that your kind comments always make me feel happy :)
Carol
Happiness is the way...I caught a blog the other day that listed things to say unhappy...they were spot on....I say the way is happiness, and being remarkable! Just as all your great words of wisdom, and happiness your blog is remarkable...do they have an award for that....yours would get it hands down!
ReplyDeleteGalen, I don't know that you can just pinpoint it to one verse of the Bible, but the law of the Old Testament is loaded with commandments (yes, that's right) that everyone would take one day each week and celebrate. This is what Sabbath was all about. And they were instructed to celebrate festivals all throughout the year. Learning to enjoy life seemed to be at the core of the Scripture. Yes, there was a lot of work to be done, but they were instructed NEVER to overwork.
ReplyDeleteThere are 2 stickies on my work computer: "Life is a pure flame, and we live by an invisible sun within us." (Sir Thomas Brown) And, "There is a sweetness at the closing of life's circle. That sweetness is love." I don't know who originally said this, but I found it jotted on a 2002 calendar page by a friend who died of uterine cancer last October (I moved into her office). She had just turned 50, and only had 4 months from diagnosis to death, so that thought in 2002 was from a time when she was still in full bloom. Notes regarding her kids' schedules are also scribbled on the page.
ReplyDeleteAs I approached 45 then surpassed it I began to love this Irish saying more and more..."Beautiful young people are acts of nature, But beautiful old people are works of art." It makes me smile and reminds me that age is more a state of mind than a state of being. Have a wonderful weekend!! :)
ReplyDeleteCorny and unrefined as it may be, the words from the Monty Python movie, "The Life Of Brian" always come to mind when I need to put myself in a more positive mode of thinking..."Always look on the bright side of life..." When coupled with the tune playing in my head, this song has a way of putting some happiness back.
ReplyDeleteGP: Like all humans, negative thoughts do enter my mind as I go through life. When they do, I sometimes say out loud, "NO!" I refuse to let them in. It works, and it keeps me happy.
ReplyDeleteFacing50--Great idea to look up some quotes, and you found some good ones!
ReplyDeleteKaren S--Better to focus on things that inspire happiness, not unhappiness. I wonder what the point of the other blog was. Thank you for the kind words!
Bryan--There are so many Bible verses that inspire happiness. You could pick several and rotate them or put them in different places!
Anonymous--How bittersweet to see these joyful notes before things became more difficult. I hope she was able to sustain some joy in her final months.
Coupon Queen--Works of art! That's great!
JackSamMum--A quote with a tune is much easier to remember!
JJ--I do that, too, only I say "Stop!"
I'm here from Friday Follow and your place looks like a great uplifting place to visit!
ReplyDeleteAfter my hubs lost his job and we found ourselves in financial trouble I put a sign above my bed:
ReplyDelete"Learn From Yesterday - Live For Today - Hope For Tomorrow"
I am your new follower from Never Growing Old blog hop
www.dailyorganizedchaos.com
Brenda and Ms Bibi--Welcome and thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteHi Following with GFC through Follow Friday Over 40 please follow back
ReplyDeletehttp://40plussinglebbw.blogspot.com/
your site is beautiful!
One of the realy nice things that has happened to me recently is that I have started to pay attention to quotes. I first noticed ones that seemed to apply to the current situation of my life, then I began to notice the "human factor" -- things in quotes that we all sharewe all share. I even started reading the little quotes attached to my tea bags with a staple.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the messages simply draw us together in our humanity and hopes for happiness.
So... my current, favorite tea bag quote:
"When the mind is backed by will, miracles happen."
This phrase has so much direct impact on the current events of my life that I am emboldened by the sheer hope of it.
Thanks to you, Galen, and all of you other wonderful people, for giving me hope and a smile.
Galen - What a wonderful blog you have here. Happiness is a constant theme of my blog too. I'm following you now and have also signed up for email updates. Looking forward to reading more.
ReplyDelete...so happy I found your blog! Mine, called "Scattered Joy" is a play on the quote by Ralph Waldo Emmerson, "Scatter Joy" and although our blogs are very different from another, I believe our goal is very similar.
ReplyDeletehttp://scattered-joy-blog.blogspot.com
Welcome to new followers and thank you for your comments. I look forward to visiting your blogs. It's wonderful that some of our blogs share the same theme with different approaches.
ReplyDeleteHi Galen,
ReplyDeletehere's a few of my personal favorites:
"When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way." Wayne Dyer.
"Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give."
Eleanor Roosevelt
I hope you're having a fantastic weekend!
Hi Galen, As promised in the previous comment here is the second quote :)
ReplyDelete"Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties."Helen Keller
So much love,
Z~
I've always used this and still do. It helps sometimes:
ReplyDeleteThis, too, shall pass.
Take it for what it's worth.
Here are some happiness tidbits from a quotation journal I used to keep (and should start doing again!):
ReplyDelete"Happiness is the light on the water." (William Maxwell)
"A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures." (Irish proverb)
"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet." (James Oppenheim)
"The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for." (Allan K. Chalmers)
"All things work for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose:)
ReplyDeleteHi Galen,
ReplyDeleteHere is my happiness quote:
True happiness arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of one's self, and in the next, from the friendship and conversation of a few select companions. -Joseph Addison
Thank you for sharing this article! :)
Irving the Vizier
Galen,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea and what fabulous quotes. Here one from me: “Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you you’ve decided to look beyond imperfections.” – T. Bernard
Many thanks for all the inspiring quotes! Not only are the quotes terrific, but I really like the variety of sources. Thank y'all very much!
ReplyDelete