Tag Archives: Joy

Peter Pan

7 Oct

As we grow and go through our lives we learn new things and develop new behaviors.  As we get older if we want to succeed we must mature and take on the attributes of fully capable adults.  We must learn how to reason and make adult decisions, and exercise self-control to help us manage all kinds of different situations.  If we neglect to mature we may find ourselves stuck in situations that hold us in place and bring us hardship.  Like Peter Pan if we refuse to grow up we will be unable to move forward.  If we can’t commit to relationships, or can’t perform in a steady work environment, or can’t behave rationally when things go wrong, we’ll get stuck.  Childish behavior is appropriate for children but will generally impede our progress as adults.  People with childish tendencies may be difficult to work with and if we’re involved with them may complicate our lives.  If we don’t have these characteristics it’s probable we’ll meet someone during our lives who does.  And if we must work with them or have a relationship with them it may be turbulent and difficult to navigate.  If we fall in love with them we will probably be disappointed and hurt.

When children don’t get their way, they may stamp their feet and march off in disgust.  They may refuse to talk, or voice their dissatisfaction by screaming and yelling.  Because they don’t have adult understanding, when they are furious they may display that fury in a number of difficult ways.  As adults, when things go wrong we may certainly do all the things we did as children to express our unhappiness but those behaviors won’t allow communication and resolution.  Even if the answers seem obvious to other adults, if we’re stuck in a childish pattern we may not see them.  But we certainly have the ability to change and we can learn how to effectively manage conflict and disappointment.  We can learn how to be capable adults and manage our problems and challenges well.  Learning to be fully functioning adults will help us move forward more easily and open doors to success.

Becoming a true adult doesn’t mean we have to let go of childlike wonder or the pure joy of life.  We can still enjoy fun activities and need not restrict our ability to try new things.  But acting like an emotional child when we’re fully grown will only impede our progress and complicate our lives.  Being a true adult helps us change when we need to and embrace growth as we move forward.  We have all the courage we need to allow ourselves to grow and are capable of becoming truly functioning adults.  We can recognize what we need to change and do what we must to facilitate the growth we are seeking.  There isn’t anything too difficult for us to understand and we can succeed.

Today if you see behaviors in your personality you want to improve to become more successful you can begin to change them.  You know what’s important and you can change anything in order to succeed. You have all the courage and understanding you need to become the person you most want to be.  Be the best you can be and all the doors ahead will open for you.

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No End

23 Mar

There are times in all of our lives when something terrible happens and we don’t think we can survive it. It may be the sudden death of a loved one, a crushing professional disappointment, the betrayal of someone close, or other things that are extremely hard to face. Nobody has a blissful, perfect life all the time. Things go wrong and sometimes they go very wrong. When we’re in the throes of these experiences we may feel so overwhelmed we can’t see the end. We can’t imagine how to navigate the situation and we may feel sure it will overcome us. But then a day goes by and we are still here. And then another day goes by, and then another. And as time passes and we find our way through each moment, we get a little stronger, and a little braver. There isn’t anything we can’t face. Even if we are convinced we can’t face it, we can. We are far more resilient than we believe we are, and as strong as we need to be. We don’t have to see the end at the beginning. All we need to do is get through today. We might have to take it one breath at a time, but we will take it, and we will manage. Each moment that passes moves us along a little bit. And bit by bit we will overcome.

There may be times when our decisions bring the walls crashing down around us and if that’s the case, we can accept our role in the disaster. We can learn from it and take all the lessons forward with us. We learn by doing and sometimes that means making mistakes. Even if they hurt deeply, mistakes teach us important lessons. We know more after than we knew before. It’s impossible to go through life without doing some things wrong. This life is all about learning, and even when it hurts, it’s important. We don’t know everything and even if we try to do everything right we’re going to stumble from time to time. We can take ownership of our actions, look at the situation clearly, learn all we can, do what is needed to make things right, and forgive ourselves. The road is long and there is time to correct our course.

If we’ve suffered a terrible blow because of decisions made by others, we may be devastated. Serious hurt takes time to heal. We have to take it as it comes but eventually it will ease and we’ll move forward. We may carry a scar with us, but a scar is just a reminder of where we’ve been, and not an indicator of where we’re going. Day by day, step by step we’ll find happiness again. There are a lot of ups and downs in life. The hard times hurt but they give us a deeper appreciation for the times when things go well. Joy is the absence of sorrow, but to feel true joy, we have to feel true sorrow. Painful days hurt but they carry blessings with them. As we navigate them, those blessings will become part of who we are.  Each blessing takes us closer to the person we most want to be.

Today if you’re going through a difficult time and feel overwhelmed, hang on. You really do have everything you need to succeed. There is nothing too difficult for you. Take it one step at a time. You have so much going for you. You can manage anything. Happiness is just outside the door. Open it. It’s waiting for you.

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Being Happy

27 Sep

Most of us want to be happy in our lives. We try to do things that will bring us happiness and avoid things that will make us miserable. But being happy is more than just a state of mind. It’s important for our well-being, and there are studies that show happy people have better health. Some even suggest happiness may improve our immune systems. A strong immune system would certainly be beneficial. We are calmer when we’re happy, and more apt to be aware of our bodies and what’s going on around us. And happy people tend to make better decisions. Given these benefits, it seems not only desirable to try to be happy, but essential for a strong, and healthy life.

One way we can open the door to feeling happier is to learn to be grateful. We all have a lot to be thankful for but we take so much for granted. It’s wonderful to have clothes to wear and a place to live. It’s good to have food available to us, and fresh air. If we’re tired, a nice, comfortable bed is nothing short of a blessing. But we get used to these things and we can forget how much comfort they bring into our lives. If we try to remember to be thankful for everything we have, we’ll find more joy in our lives, and more happiness. If we’re feeling low, just writing down all our blessings at the end of each day, will remind us of how much we have and how blessed we are. Those feelings will bring joy into our hearts.

We have a lot of influence over others we come in contact with every day. If we are glum and grumpy, we may negatively impact their lives. But if we’re positive in our interactions with them, and express an attitude of happiness, we will brighten everyone we meet. Happiness is highly contagious. If we smile, most of the time the person we smile at will return one right back to us. If we share some positive message with them, they are likely to share it with others, and embrace it in their lives. Of all the things we can do to impact others, perhaps the easiest thing is to share joy with them. If we all tried to be more grateful for what we have, and share more happiness with those around us, we could change the world.

Today as you go about your tasks, remember how much you have to be thankful for. Remember all the positive things you have that bring you joy and comfort. And share a positive attitude with those around you. You’ll be amazed at the responses you’ll get. People will be drawn to you, and want to share their lives with you in return. Recognize your blessings. Rejoice in them. And share them with everyone you meet. Be happy.  You have the power to change the world.

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