Being HappyWritten by Jerry Lopper
Some people seem happy all time. Why is that? We may think they have fewer problems, an easier life, more help from others, or other advantages; but that’s not it. What sets happy people apart from unhappy people is that happy people have discovered a great secret of life. And strange thing is that we all know this secret--or rather, we’ve all heard it. Happy people accept and incorporate this secret, while rest of us pooh-pooh it as too simple to be secret leading to happiness.The secret is this--to be happy we must choose to be happy. That’s it! Just like picking out our favorite brand of peanut butter at grocery store, to be happy we must simply choose happy from other states of being available to us. But how can you be happy when your job is in jeopardy or you’ve lost your job? How can you be happy when your health is poor, your spouse is angry, and your children think you’re an idiot? Why is it we refuse to accept that happiness is a choice we may make at any time? The deadly illusion of need and its accompanying emotion of fear keep getting in our way. Now, I’m not referring to a want or desire when I use term need here. I’m referring to need as in must-have-in- order-to-be. Such as, I must have a six figure income to be successful. Or, I must have status symbols (home, car, trophy spouse) to be happy. Or, I must have a million dollars to be secure. When we predicate our desire for happiness upon circumstances external to us, we just about guarantee that happiness either will evade us altogether or will only grant us fleeting glimpses.
| | Seven Reasons to Visit an OceanWritten by Jerry Lopper
One of my very favorite places is beach. Sure, three S’s are an attraction: sun, sand, and seafood. But main draw is ocean. The ocean symbolizes all of life, carrying many analogies that help me stay in tune with meaning of life.Reason One: The ocean calms. It infuses with peace and tranquility of understanding and insight. Subconsciously we say, "Oh, this is what life is all about. It isn’t so mysterious after all." Someone recently said to me, "It’s natural to be at ocean." What that means to me is that ocean is one of places my soul wants me to be-- because there I can more easily see my truths about life. Reason Two: The ocean is vast, mysterious, and multifaceted. It can be peaceful one moment and terrifying next. The ocean is deep, unexplored at its deepest reaches. Filled with an incomprehensible array of life, it is simultaneously complex and simple. Our lives are also vast, mysterious, and multifaceted--we’re peaceful one moment, terrified next. Seeing a reflection of life outside of me helps me to accept many unknowns about life. Reason Three: The ocean reminds me that life is eternal. The ocean is relentless, ever changing yet always same. Each moment of ocean is different from moment before. Colors change with shifting light. Waves change with shifting wind. Water temperatures fluctuate, sometimes abruptly. Yet with constant change there is also a familiar continuity. This reminds me that life goes on. Though a wave may crash upon beach and appear destroyed, inherent life force of wave silently retreats to eventually form a new wave. Reason Four: I remember that to co-exist successfully in life I must join an oncoming force at just right time. Waves can batter or propel, as can life’s new circumstances. Standing firm in face of a wave requires me to be rigid, muscles tensed, and body braced against battering onslaught. I can stand firm against each wave, but energy required eventually takes its toll. Or I can catch a wave at its peak, join with it, and ride it out. The ride can be exhilarating and joyous. Such is life. Accept and join with force of a new life circumstance--the ride can be exhilarating and joyous.
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