I am happy.

Don't know how that happened. I have some "issues" like everyone in the world, but all in all, I am happy.

Let's see - a friend of mine suffers from severe depression. His wife is unable to have children but doesn't want to adopt. So it looks like unless he gets remarried he will be childless.

An acquaintance went through a bitter, paintful divorce with a trainload of baggage and unresolved issues.

An ex-classmate died at the age 31 of cancer.

Some people I know are stuck in long-term unhappy marriages with no possibility of getting out.

Need I go on?

Everywhere I look I see misery, disappointment, unfulfilled expectations -- you know, the usual condition of mankind for the last 10,000 years.

There are some ( many ) things I want and haven't been able to obtain them thus far. Nevertheless, I've become the glass is half full type of person, or will be full. If you want to see negatives you will, there are many, but every person is rich in his own way.

 

I've learned a few things in the short 22 years I've been here.

Never regret, just learn.

Putting a positive spin on something makes it look better.
Everyone can find the negatives, those who can find the positives are farther ahead.

Stop wishing, make it happen.

If you get knocked down, jump back up and try harder. You don't lose unless you give up.

"Every hand is a winner, just like every hand is a loser."

 

Look out for the guys in the white coats.

 

Or in Redneck speak: " 'could always be worse, Bubba."

(I R one, so don't cast no stones unless uns want 'em cast back)

 

Im with you.

Im happy, cause I won't owe a penny until january 2008.
I have a couple of really good friends, and they are always there for me.
I don't tell them enough but it is my understanding that we are happier when we just get along.

 

My dad always told me: " Son, if life throws you a lemon....get the salt and tequila ".

 

I am always regarded as somewhat crazy because of the undying conviction in my heart... I am HAPPY too. Every thing I have ever done has enhanced that happiness, and given me a perspective on things that has allowed for my happiness to expand. I have never been, and probably could never be, a negative person, as every thing in life is but an example from which to draw many strengths. I have lost everything in disasters that have confounded those around me, only for me to be smiling and happily imagining what I will do, have or see next. In times when death was knocking hard, with no particular exit in sight, I have happily wondered what would come next, so happiness is a nature given me by my maker, and I thank Him from the depths of my being - to be otherwise would be terrible - I see the results of misery all the time, and praise the Lord for not letting me see from the inside.

CD, I am truly happy for your realization, and count you as a blessed person: keep that in your heart, and nothing will shake it, because life can be a hard thing that you need a positive outlook to endure. Welcome to the happy world.

Theo

 

Theo, will you please come to my house and counsel me??

 

Any time you want.. I'll even pay to get there..

Theo

 

Theo is right on the money, as usual - see, what I am saying does not dimish the many serious "issues" I (and others) have. They are there, and will always be there in some shape or form. These evil things which happen to us are _not_ a good justification for feeling unhappy.

Every person finds his / her special place in this world, sooner or later. That is your calling. If you don't find it, you will be very unhappy, downright miserable no matter what you do or what your own. If you do find it, it will mean the whole world to you.

I've thought for a couple of years just what this "calling" might represent and my relationship to the world. This calling means fulfilling divine plan for your life - living a meaningful life.

 

Theo, hadn't heard much from you in a while. Did you go on the walkabout?

 

Yep, got 9500 miles in 3 weeks, and had to postpone the rest until I get a couple of things fixed on the truck... nothing too serious, but annoying all the same.. I will be going away soon, to help Greywolf in San Diego, in December, but we will take the other truck for that.

Theo

 

I love a good roadtrip. I did a 11,000 miler a few months back. It took almost two months as I stopped for a couple weeks here and there, but I did a few 850 mile days and one 960 on my way to Alaska. I can't wait to hear about yours.
Oh yeah my PSD yanked about $1800 out of me along the way for repairs. She won't be taking any more road trips.

 

The one thing that I do not understand is how so many people can be so unhappy.

Granted I have it better than many. I work hard and long hours but I have some money in the bank, my health, and a woman that loves me just as much as I love her.

Truth be told though even without those things I would still be happy. Just being alive should be cause for happyness.

I have been through some hard and trying times in my life and had to start all over again at the age of 18 due to losing evrything in a house fire but I made it through it and always looked at the bright side, I was alive. Six months later I was involved in a bad car accident and nearly died, still I was just happy to be alive.

No matter what life throws at you if you are around to look back on it you have a reason to be happy. You are alive.

I live each day like it will be my last, because it may be. Untill I do pass from this earth I will be happy. When I die I shall die with no regrets knowing that I did my best to be a good person.

 

the way i do it is not to worry over stuff i can not change.
i was golden young in life, no matter what i stepped in, it always smelled like roses. money was never a problem, i was making 54,000 a year when i was 19. i lived in beach houses and had the world at my feet. well times change, lay offs happen and people relocate. Now i live in iowa, in debt married two kids and only making 34,000 a year with 50,000 a year in debt lol. but it does not change my outlook in life. i let the little things fall where they fall, and tackle the bigger ones one step at a time. i can sit and laugh when others sit and cry. life is a challange sometimes but tommorow may bring a flower instead of a turd. gotta keep trying