The article was entitled "Are you tired of waiting around for happiness to find you? Stop waiting and start getting happy with these tips," written by the Mayo Clinic staff. Because I love mayonnaise, I read the article. I particularly like a good swab of mayo plastered on toasted tomato sandwiches. It doesn't get much better in the summertime and juicy tomatoes, particularly from my garden, certainly make me happy; nevertheless, I remained intrigued.
The article continued: "Do you know how to be happy? Despite what the fairy tales depict, happiness doesn't appear by magic. It's not even something that happens to you. It's something you can cultivate. So, what are you waiting for? Start discovering how to be happy." Something I could cultivate. Like tomatoes! I really didn't need any extra mayo promotion, but there it was. I read on: "Only 10 percent or so of the variation in people's reports of happiness can be explained by differences in their circumstances. The bulk of what determines happiness is your personality and - more modifiable - your thoughts and behaviors. So, yes, you can learn how to be happy - or at least happier." What a surprise; it wasn't about food at all, yet food tends to make me happy, especially peanut butter. The good people at Mayo continued: "Although you may have thought, as many people do, that happiness comes from being born rich or beautiful or living a stress-free life, the reality is that those things don't confer lasting happiness. Indeed, how to be happy can't be boiled down to one thing. Happiness is the sum of your life choices." Aha, I felt like Ponce de Leon suddenly discovering the fountain of youth. The Mayo gang suggests that the following are keys to our happiness: devoting time to family and friends; appreciating what we have; maintaining an optimistic outlook; feeling a sense of purpose; living in the moment. I will deal with these items in two installments, so this week you may start to get happy and next week, your demeanor will approximate bliss. Mayo claims that our choices, thoughts and actions influence our level of happiness. Remember the song by Bobby McFerrin: "Here's a little song I wrote, You might want to sing it note for note, Don't Worry - Be Happy, In every life we have some trouble, But when you
worry you make it Double, Don't Worry - Be Happy, Ain't got no place to lay your head, somebody came and took your bed, Don't Worry, Be Happy, The landlord say your rent is late, he may have to litigate, Don't Worry - Be Happy, Ain't got not cash, ain't got no style, ain't got no gal to make you smile, Don't Worry - Be Happy, Cause when you worry your face will frown, and that will bring everybody down, Don't Worry - Be Happy." It seems counterintuitive when something goes terribly awry, but McFerrin and Mayo are on to something. Here are some strategies for seniors, the first thanks to the lyrics of Johnny Mercer: "You've got to accentuate the positive, Eliminate the negative, And latch on to the affirmative, Don't mess with Mister In-Between." This means that one must associate with happy people so surround yourself with cheerful types. Stay away from the poisonous crowd. Friends and family help one to enjoy life and they support us in difficult times. Nurture these relationships. Next, learn to express gratitude. Yes, even when you get a speeding ticket, say "thank you." Don't wait for something awful to happen; cultivate wonder, appreciation and thankfulness for life. Every time I see a young child, a sense of awe pervades me. They are such incredible inventions. I know that they get noisy and even poopy at times, but when they smile, they are pure delight. Start thanking people and appreciating people. Yes, even that cop who was doing his job. Next week: more strategies.
The article was entitled "Are you tired of waiting around for happiness to find you? Stop waiting and start getting happy with these tips," written by the Mayo Clinic staff. Because I love mayonnaise, I read the article. I particularly like a good swab of mayo plastered on toasted tomato sandwiches. It doesn't get much better in the summertime and juicy tomatoes, particularly from my garden, certainly make me happy; nevertheless, I remained intrigued.
worry you make it Double, Don't Worry - Be Happy, Ain't got no place to lay your head, somebody came and took your bed, Don't Worry, Be Happy, The landlord say your rent is late, he may have to litigate, Don't Worry - Be Happy, Ain't got not cash, ain't got no style, ain't got no gal to make you smile, Don't Worry - Be Happy, Cause when you worry your face will frown, and that will bring everybody down, Don't Worry - Be Happy." It seems counterintuitive when something goes terribly awry, but McFerrin and Mayo are on to something. Here are some strategies for seniors, the first thanks to the lyrics of Johnny Mercer: "You've got to accentuate the positive, Eliminate the negative, And latch on to the affirmative, Don't mess with Mister In-Between." This means that one must associate with happy people so surround yourself with cheerful types. Stay away from the poisonous crowd. Friends and family help one to enjoy life and they support us in difficult times. Nurture these relationships. Next, learn to express gratitude. Yes, even when you get a speeding ticket, say "thank you." Don't wait for something awful to happen; cultivate wonder, appreciation and thankfulness for life. Every time I see a young child, a sense of awe pervades me. They are such incredible inventions. I know that they get noisy and even poopy at times, but when they smile, they are pure delight. Start thanking people and appreciating people. Yes, even that cop who was doing his job. Next week: more strategies.
