Happy/A Few Complaints

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”

G. K. Chesterton

“Your happiness is a gift because it literally brings out the best in you.”

Robert Holden

“Happiness depends upon ourselves.”

Aristotle

I am so glad to be here.  Today has been a good day, but I have a lot of work to do.  I’m not sure how well I used my time today and there is a part of me that wants to talk about that and beat myself up over it.  And that is one of the Enemy’s favorite tricks, to get me to focus on a few complaints.   No, not a few complaints.   It likes to point out every single area of failure, every fault, shortcoming and sin.  It seems there is no end to this list.  How many times and ways have I failed myself and others?  When will I learn?  When will I get it right?

Here are some ways I can get it right:

·      I can stop focusing on what’s wrong with me.

·      I can stop focusing on how I wish I were different.

·      I can stop focusing on mistakes I’ve made, whether I made them this afternoon, yesterday or twenty years ago.

·      I can look at the good I’ve done.

·      I can look at the lives I’ve affected positively.

·      I can look at the growth I’ve made in every single area of my life.  There is not even one area, not one, where I have not grown in the last year.

·      I can forgive myself.

·      I can be joyful. 

·      I can be grateful that God loves me and calls me His child.

·      I can be grateful that some amazing people love me.

·      I can be grateful (period).

·      I can look at what I have accomplished in the last year, the last six months and in the last three weeks.

·      I can be amazed at my ability to completely turn my attitude around in just a few minutes.

·      I can be thankful for the friend who told me to be positive.

·      I can be thankful for the people who have told me I will reach my goal.

·      I can be thankful that I have some money in the bank.

·      I can be grateful that I had a good dinner tonight with some good friends.

·      I can be grateful that I can choose any attitude I want.

·      I can be grateful that a task that seemed impossible just a little while ago seems completely reasonable and realistic now.

·      I can be grateful for the warm cup of coffee and the soft music playing while I work.

·      I can be grateful for all the books I’m surrounded with and can read at any time.

·      I can be grateful that I live in the United States.

·      I can be grateful that I have a working cell phone and computer and can talk to almost anyone in the world through them.

·      I can be thankful for my freedom.

·      I can be thankful for the people who made me laugh today.

I’m feeling really good right now.  When I started this blog I had a completely different introduction and idea, but then I remembered someone telling me to focus on the positive in my life.  The truth is, for many of us, there are more positives than negatives going on in life.  But most of us focus on what’s wrong rather than what’s right.

Being positive takes focus, commitment and courage.  So many of us want to be unique because we want to be remembered and loved.  If we really want to be unique we should, each of us, focus on being the most positive, most grateful people we can be.  That is something others will remember.

That reminds me of something I learned long ago:  People may not remember the things I’ve done or said, but they will remember how I made them feel.  I want people to feel good when they’re around me.

One of my commitments is this:

            I will be peaceful and joyful as long as and as often as possible.

Tonight, I remembered that commitment, thank God.  I feel great.  I may have had a few complaints, but for the life of me, I really can't  remember what they are.  I’m ready to Get Started and to Keep Going…and to be thankful.