The more I see some frowny faces in my travels each day based on depressing economic news, the more I am convinced that people need to take on the attitude that they will
LET NO ONE SPOIL YOUR HAPPY DAY.
So much of happiness is about perception. About perspective even. How about choice? You really do choose to be happy you know. Sure things happen to you. People hurt you. You get disappointed.
Imagine yourself metaphorically at least as a young child. What about that tree you were going to climb today? Why were you going to climb it? Because it was fun silly. And it brought you joy. You felt feelings of happiness within.
So what is wrong with you? The tree is still there. You are still a climber. Get out there and stop thinking about everything else that is wrong in the world and go climb that tree.
People forget that they do control MUCH in their life if they will just focus on the parts that they do control. That's where controlling your happiness is.
Find happiness. Choose a happy path. Much happiness is found in simple and free activities.
Have you walked your dog lately?
Have you played with your children?
Did you enjoy your hobby?
Isn't there that good book to read that you've meant to get to?
Have you kissed the one you love?
Never, ever....
let anyone spoil you having a happy day!
Gary - You have the most incredible knack of always knowing just the right thing to say. Our philosophies are so similar it's scary!
Gary, I have always believed that when we let other circumstances control our emotions, we give our power away, rendering ourselves powerless. We also control whether we are sad. Great post
Bo
Gary, seems like we adults are in too much of a hurry sometimes. Thanks for the advice.
Gary...
I used to love to climb trees as a child, and we had some great trees for climbing! I would love to recapture that special kind of joy again!
I appreciate your message. The pictures are very sweet!
Hi Gary, I NEVER let people spoil my day. I figure they have issues at home or personal issues or maybe jealous that they have to be hateful. I could care less to be honest. Only I can spoil my day!
Gary - so glad you pointed out that it is a choice. We can let the news, wall street, or anyone else steel our jou - or we can choose to notice all the little things that happen each day to bring us joy. Thanks for the reminder.
Sue White
Hi Gary, I think you captured this idea very well. We each get to chose how we respond to life's situations. Some seem the same event as an obstacle while others see it as an opportunity. Both get have to have their own way.
When I am facing trying circumstances, I say to myself "I am blessed and highly favored, and things always work out great for me!" over and over again.......and guess what......Things really do ALWAYS work out great for me!
There is ALWAYS something in life to be happy about.
Gary - Happiness should never be controlled - You right! Happiness can be found by just doing the things you pointed out.
Gary - Your post made me feel like you had embraced me! I needed a hug today! Thank you - it was very uplifting!
Gary if anyone spoils my day I just smack-em:)
Days are like that. There's good parts and bad parts. I don't dwell long on the negitive. No time for that!
Hi Gary,
I am in control of my emotions and I choose to have "good days".
Gary, I love your posts ! Very inspriational. I agree that everything is based on perception and gratitutde. Sometimes I can let someone spoil a day... and I realize that I am too emotional over a deal or how someone reacts instead of less emotionally tied into it... when I take a step back and know that I did the best I could, I feel a lot better. There are a lot of drainers out there, the trick is to not let them drain you !
Life is what you make it....Make it good! Make it happy! But make it anything but miserable!
Gary, thanks for the inspiration. I remind myself often that I do make that choice each morning when I get up... somedays the choice lasts all day .. other days I have to remind myself to keep choosing it. I find when I need a lift I can't be unhappy if I'm singing... which I do poorly but with much joy.
Gary, this is a philosophy I've had for a long time but sometimes I let circumstances fog it for me.....thanks so much for the clarity!
Gary
I suppose one thing that has helped me through 30 years in this business is that each day should be treated like a new dawn (which it is! both realistically, and metaphorically). I really do try to look at the world through the eyes of a child, with wonder. Otherwise what is the purpose?
Gary...thanks for a great post! Just what we needed....check out mine for a good laugh!
Gary...if we lok at the world in a depressed way...it's going to look depressed. We need to hold our heads up and move forward!
Gary, You are the best! After a long day, I stroll over to your blog for my daily "lift". Thanks Gary!
Hi Tom: Glad we are kindred spirits. Very scary ; )
Bo: The control does relate to our power. Don't give it away.
Tim and Pam: Slowing down definitely helps in the happiness area.
Richard: Find yourself a tree. I'll hold your camera for you.
Mel: Thanks. Sweet pictures picked for a sweetie like YOU!! : )
LaNita: Great attitude to not let their problems bother YOU!!
Sue: It is all about OUR choice.
William: Pereception is EVERYTHING.
Pam: Blessed and highly favored - a great affirmation. And you are Pam.
Petra: Simple things can definitely make us happy.
Hello Carol: BIG Carol ((((((((HUG)))))))) Come and get one any time.
Hi Pat: Your digging up my old posts. : ) Very cool. You can't climb trees? I'll get you a ladder to join me in the tree house. Walking a dog should unstress anyone I would think. Thanks for thinking of me today.
Charles: Smacking em, very good. I am going to start doing that! Thanks.
Lizette: No dwelling on the down time, just move on.
Cynthia: Choosing the good days is the way to live!!
Christopher and Stephanie: Do your best and stay away from the drainers. Good advice.
Sherry: Life is too short to be miserable.
Gail: Keep singing. The world needs more singers.
Hi Colleen: No fogging allowed !!! : )
Hello Trey: Child like wonder is a natural gift. We share that.
Thom and Ray: Will do.
William: Look sunny and it will be bright.
Hi Elizabeth: Glad a little lift came your way. Pass it on.
Gary, I was having such a good night tonight before some of the things I saw on AR--I KNEW exactly where to go and this timing is perfect!!!!
Hey Carole: Don't ever let the world stomp your spirit out. Glad you found an oasis here.
Hi again Pat: I'll order in the wine and chocolate for the treehouse : ) Thanks for the great Willie tune!!
Gary,
Good point. Everyone can make a decision to be happy or not. I guess, sometimes we let the little things bother us and we forget, we do have the power to make that decision.
I still haven't read the book I've been meaning to read but I took a wonderful bike ride today and it was beautiful outside, a perfect fall day. It's amazing what you can miss around you if you don't slow down to pay attention!
You always have such positive messages....
Gary,
How Great! Climbing trees is fun...my limbs get a little sore at this age though...but it's still a lot of FUN! (0; Smiling tends to change the moods of those around you too! I love the pictures in your post the little girl walking the dog...priceless!
Gary-Somedays I would love to go climb a tree and get away from all the negativity. They say words can't hurt, but they do and they can turn your HAPPY day into a NIGHTMARE. Thanks for being so encouraging.
Every day is a good day, even when your market is 'less than inspiring!'
I think I'm going to go find me a tree..:-)
hey Gary, what a lovely post with an important reminder, not to let anyone or anything, take away our joy... No matter what, it's still there, somewhere, and doing something like playing or walking the dog is a good way to lead you back to that field of joy.
I believe that happiness is in the genes.
My mother in law could not have been happy no matter what.
And it would always have been my fault somehow.
But, I'd still be happy which drove her absoluty bonkers.
Good morning sir,
It is like you have been in my back pocket for the past two days. Thank you for the post.
Amen, Gary! This is common sense advice for those of us getting bogged down by the bad news. There is good news all around us too...and you are right, we can control our own lives in a good way by doing what makes us happy.
Gary - excellent point. In fact last night my daughter and I had this same conversation about not giving energy to any negativity, and to focus on what is good in her life. It was really a wonderful evening, just the two of us, talking, no TV.
Gary ... today is one of those days I didn't wake up so happy ... I NEEDED TO READ THIS ... thank you!
HI GARY!
Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I come straight to your blog!! I so appreciate that. You know and understand the trials & tribs we agents face and that so helps!
Thanks,
I used to climb trees for one reason. Because they were there.
If I have a particularly stressful day or need a break, I go out into my yard with my binoculars and watch the birds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAVlk4F2qkw
I'm gonna live and live NOW!
Get what I want, I know how!
One roll for the whole shebang!
One throw that bell will go clang,
Eye on the target and wham,
One shot, one gun shot and bam!
Hey, Mr. Arnstein Woltal, here I am ...
Nobody, no, nobody, is gonna rain on my parade!
Gary, I enjoyed reading your blog, and I also enjoyed reading the different comments posted by your readers. And I agree with you, if we chose to embrace life once again the same we did when we were kids, I believe we would be so much happier. Regrettably, we spend so much of our life worrying about what others think of us and or second guessing the choices we've made or the choices we are about to make.
Sharon: The power for our happiness is a choice for us.
Hey Patricia: A bike ride sounds like tremendous fun. Good for you.
Sally: Thanks. You are pretty positive yourself.
Michelle: I agree that the smile can change the mood. It is being friendly and open.
Laura: Words do hurt but we can lessen their impact by our reaction to them and our positive self talk.
Susie: Every day is a good day is definitely the way to think.
Liz: I'll join you up in the tree.
Hello Mara: Always find that field of joy. EACH DAY too!!
Lenn: So true. Some just want to be miserable for whatever reason.
Hi Don: Glad this post meant something to you. Thanks for your call too.
Chris Ann: Do what makes you happy. You DO have control over that.
Sharon: Glad you are not giving your power for negativity to others. Super!!
Pippa: Hope you have a good day from this point forward.
Yvette: Glad the pick me up was there for you.
Hello Elizabeth: Bird watching will really make you happy. Very cool.
Hi Susan: A classic Streisand pick. Thanks. I know you never let anyone (most days) mess up your day.
Hey Tracy: Great thoughts about looking back or forward or worrying about others.
Gary - You are right. Happiness is a choice. Thanks for the reminder! :)
I refuse to let anyone spoil my "happy" days! Love the little girl walking the dog picture.
Hi Gary - I just loved this photo the cute little girl walking her cute dog. Brought a smile. Thanks~
Hi Debi: Choices are what make up life. We need to tell ourselves that each day.
Teresa: Very good on your part.
Hello Shirley: That little girl is focused on having a good day. We all should too.