5 Things I Know About That I Will Share With You

Beautiful Readers!

Don’t know much about history
Don’t know much biology
Don’t know much about a science book
Don’t know much about the French I took.

Thanks to outstanding  Soul Music pioneer Sam Cooke, not only have we been graced with bone-chillingly-awesome songs like The Chain Gang and A Change is Gonna Come, but also a whole big list of things it’s ok not to know about.  

In a universe is full of things I often feel like I don’t really understand–here are 5 things I’m pretty sure I do understand. Dig ‘em.

1.  Life will always make sense if your goals are based on taking care of other people.Somewhere in the 60s and 70s the whole notion of living for others got kind of a bad rap. Mostly because it was associated with martyred and unhappy wives and mothers who went through the motions of selflessness while all the while feeling needy. In every bowl of slow-cooked oatmeal was a little need-vortex that took something from the eater. This oatmeal, though hot, was strangely unnourishing.

However, now that we’ve all investigated the idea of Women Who Love Too Much, perhaps we can get on with the notion that living for others is the most normal things us social animals can possibly do. And that includes taking care of ourselves so that we have the maximum capacity for healthy giving and creating the minimum of burden on others.

2. The natural world is absolutely incredible and you should feel grateful for it every day!  Think about it. Make the most of it.

3. You can not tell if something is going to be easy or difficult for you until you try it.  Eg. Meditation – looks easy, actually difficult., Doing your own taxes - seems difficult, actually easy. Cooking Healthy- seems difficult, actually easy. Getting through normal day to day adult life – looks easy, actually difficult. Managing stressful situations – seems difficult, usually easier than it seems.  You see what I mean.

4. Happiness is very much your own doing. As far as I can tell happiness has absolutely nothing to do with anything external to yourself. Fortunately I was given a bit of advice early in life that has been invaluable to me ever since. I was told at age 8 that the world was essentially grey and that everything was pretty much just what you made of it. I was slightly bummed out by the idea at first–but all in all-knowing this has been a great asset–I see people who still don’t know this as adults-and frankly, I’m a lot happier than them overall. I plan to bum out my kids with this bit of info very soon. Though, I wouldn’t be surprised if they already know it.

5. The things that bring you happiness (or don’t) might surprise you.  Read a book!  The Happiness Equation: 100 Factors that Can Add to or Subtract From Your Happiness Or for immediate gratification read this list.