Happy Thoughts

What makes you happy? What helps you glide over the rough spots of life? How do you turn defeats into successes, or maybe just neutral happenings instead? If danger approaches, what do you do to avoid it? Anything?

Are you a glass half full or a glass half empty person?

All good questions. Especially at this time of year. Quick answers, even flip ones, are common. But what about serious answers? Why are they so hard to come by?

I admit to negative thoughts at this time of year. I have analyzed this behavior as peculiar during the Holidays, but I have found they are more common than most people realize. This is a happy time of year yet so many are in deep depression. Why?

Perhaps others have studied and researched this phenomenon? I have not researched such studies, but I bet they are out there. My own thoughts on this topic may be instructive.

America is the land of possible. The land of opportunity. The place where hope springs eternal and smiles abide. Yet year after year the disappointment appears. The hoped for happening does not emerge from the mist. The thing most wanted is beyond arm’s reach. Disillusionment is born. Loss is felt.

Time has taught me that wishing is not getting. Expecting is not fulfilling. No, the wanted must be worked for and earned. He who yearns must pay the price of effort and sacrifice to have what he seeks.

Perhaps the objective is unrealistic. Maybe the object of desire is unobtainable. Just maybe we want something that is not a proper reward?

Ah! There’s the probable answer. Right at the end of our nose. Let’s start small and work up to the larger targets. Perhaps with time those will be in grasp.

The simpler things. Clean air. Tempered warmth. Giggles and laughs from kids, yes, also from adults. Good food. Calm times. Shared time with loved ones. Ah! Love itself. Full and present.

Perhaps peace on earth, goodwill to all people is unobtainable. But then, that is not a happy thought and unworthy of this time of year. Or is it?

December 15, 2021

 

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