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Sequoia

Senior member
Joined
Sep 19, 2010
Messages
841
Reason
PALS
Diagnosis
08/2010
Country
US
State
Washington
City
Seattle
Hello folks, when I read this it kind of gave me a key to happiness, this staying in the moment and praising God for what we have rather than letting our attitude drift to "what could have been"...I hope you find it hopeful. And we could post here the things we are appreciative of TODAY. (but this is not to say that are not very tough times for pals/cals, but for the most part they do pass...)


How to Be Happy Anytime


Post written by Leo Babauta.

My friend Barron recently asked, “If you could be anywhere right now, doing anything you want, where would you be? And what would you be doing?”

And my answer was, “I’m always where I want to be, doing what I want to be doing.”

I’ve notice that in the past, like many people, I was always wishing I was doing something different, thinking about what I would do in the future, making plans for my life to come, reading (with jealousy) about cool things other people were doing.

It’s a fool’s game.

Many of us do this, but if you get into the mindset of thinking about what you *could* be doing, you’ll never be happy doing what you actually *are* doing. You’ll compare what you’re doing with what other people (on Facebook and Twitter, perhaps?) are doing. You’ll wish your life were better. You’ll never be satisfied, because there’s *always* something better to do.

Instead, I’ve adopted the mindset that whatever I’m doing right now is perfect. If I’m writing a post, that’s amazing. If I’m reading blog posts on the Internet, that’s interesting. If I’m doing nothing but hanging out with my family, that’s incredible. If I’m walking outside, enjoying the fresh air, that’s beautiful.

There’s nothing I’m ever doing that isn’t the most incredible thing on Earth. If I’m doing something sucky (I can’t remember doing that recently), maybe that’s an invaluable life lesson. If I’m with someone boring or obnoxious, it’s a lesson in patience, or empathy, or in learning to understand people better.

The Now Mindset, In Practice

Let’s say you’re washing the dishes. Wouldn’t you rather be having a delicious meal instead, or talking with your best friend? Sure, those things are great, but they’re only better if you believe they’re better, and more importantly, the comparison is totally unnecessary. Why should you compare what you’re doing now (washing dishes) with anything else? Wouldn’t almost anything lose out if you compare it to something you like more? Will you ever be happy with what you’re doing if you always compare it with something you like more?

Washing dishes can be as great as anything else, if you decide to see it that way. You’re in solitude, which is a beautiful thing. If you do it mindfully, washing dishes can be pleasant as you feel the suds and water in your hands, pay attention to the dish and its texture, notice your breathing and thoughts. It’s meditation, it’s quiet, it’s lovely.

You can say the same of anything. Driving to work? Enjoy the solitude, the chance to be alone with your thoughts, or to listen to music you love, to see the world around you. In a meeting with co-workers? Pay attention to how people talk and interact, learn about the human mind, see yourself in everyone around you, learn to love anyone no matter who they are, practice giving up expectations of who people should be or what this meeting should be like.

I’m always happy with what I’m doing, because I don’t compare it to anything else, and instead pay close attention to the activity itself. I’m always happy with whoever I’m with, because I learn to see the perfection in every person. I’m always happy with where I am, because there’s no place on Earth that’s not a miracle.

Life will suck if you are always wishing you’re doing something else. Life will rock if you realize you’re already doing the best thing ever.
 
Well said, Sequoia!
 
So this is what i am happy about today. I had a good friend who went thru a crisis and i was able to help her.
I got fitted for a powerchair that makes me long to hit the road leaving a dusty trail behind me. It can go inside and outdoors on rough ground, has front My ALS clinic rushed it thru wheel drive, which will take the hills here, and it has suspension for climbing thru potholes and those places in sidewalks which are like crators! The ALS clinic is rushing it thru even though i can still walk a little, because the government here is trying to cut back on Medicare and Medicaid, so there might not be the funding. God is good!
 
I was just telling my husband this morning the I want to enjoy life. I'm so thankful for my wonderful husband and kids. We live in an area that I love and is beautiful. I'm focusing on what I can do instead of what I can't and I'm not going to worry about things to come.
 
Hi Sequoia,
At my last clinic visit I spoke of discovering that putting a chair in front of the kitchen sink enabled me to wash the dishes. I remarked that washing dishes was now a joy. The doctors and nurse looked at me in disbelief, but you and I know this to be true.
Joe
 
That is sooo true Joe, anything that we can still do is a miracle of blessings! I am learning so much to enjoy everything: the feel of warm water and tiny little bubbles from the liquid Joy that have rainbows in them! My legs are pretty shot, but i can still stand and take a few steps, and now i am getting cramping and twitches in my hands...so I am now thanking God for being able to type, tie my shoestrings, button my shirt, brush my own teeth, etc....but when these things go, i will hopefully have eye gaze and will be able to still type. I will have to be more sustinct in chosing my words, so as not to waste energy, but get thing down to a one line essence, the golden kernal.. some of my friends will be glad for this..lol...
 
Very true Sequoia,
Everything I do now that I took for granted before is appreciated. From being able to adjust my pillow to taking my daughter to the mall.
 
Today I am happy for sunshine and low humidity! :) But I am most happy that I was able to get out of bed and enjoy an apple fritter with iced tea without a single choking episode. Of course, Tim had to feed me the fritter and I used a straw for the tea. We sat on the deck for breakfast and watched the horses in the pasture run and run.. Life is good and I am blessed.
 
Today I am happy I woke up..:),
I am happy for.....
The air I breath, sunshine, for my families health, all of you here..:)
 
Today is a good day, and as my husband said after being diagnosed, "From now on, Everyday is a Good Day!"
 
I woke up today to sound of rain on my window, I love the sound of rain, although right about now I would love to see sunshine. But that sounds is so cozy that it made me wake in such a state of joy. And right now, while I was typing this, the sun just broke through the clouds in hues of golden pinks...an amazing sunset!

Today a dear friend gave me a simple little gift: a beautiful small branch of an evergreen tree with a cluster of cones. She wrote a prose piece about our friendship and it warmed my heart so much. A friend is a wonderful gift: all of you are such gifts. Have a good night!
 
I am happy for a rest filled night and another day of sunshine and no guests!
 
I am happy to have Today! :) I am happy for morning coffee on the porch on a beautiful day!
 
Today my whole family, nephews , nieces. grandpaps, aunts, uncles and assorted friends went out to breakfast after church. Did we have fun!
 
Today I am happy that my hubby and I are hanging out on the patio. Swimming off and on in the pool to cool off! The sky is blue as blue can be, with big puffy, cotton clouds! Our faithful, friend Sampson (Golden Retriever) is hangin out too taking turns laying near us. Ice tea, lap top, cool breeze now and then, so Life Is Good!
 
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