Smile and be happy
"Hello, how's your day?"
"Not bad."
"If it's not bad, why isn't it good?"
The man stares at me, not quite sure what to say.
"Not bad."
"If it's not bad, why isn't it good?"
The man stares at me, not quite sure what to say.
In Maltese, we even have an expression in response to the common "How are you?" question: "Niġġieldu mal-ħajja," translated as "Fighting with life."
How terrible! If that is your mind set, no wonder you are having a bad day! Imagine fighting with life, always a struggle. This kind of negative thinking is what puts a damper on your mood; it's hardly putting you in a positive frame of mind to appreciate the good things, is it?
I often reply to that, "Tiġġieled? Għaliex ma tippruvax tiżfen magħha minflok?" - "Fighting? Why don't you try dancing with it instead?"
How terrible! If that is your mind set, no wonder you are having a bad day! Imagine fighting with life, always a struggle. This kind of negative thinking is what puts a damper on your mood; it's hardly putting you in a positive frame of mind to appreciate the good things, is it?
I often reply to that, "Tiġġieled? Għaliex ma tippruvax tiżfen magħha minflok?" - "Fighting? Why don't you try dancing with it instead?"
Indeed, resistance is a big barrier to contentment in the here and now; gratitude is the antidote. Even in many martial arts, the rule of thumb is to welcome the energy of the opponent's punch, only to harness the energy and send it back; you resist, a bone breaks.
it is all about attitude. Little sources of happiness are everywhere to be found and, if we look out for them, we can see many of them throughout the day. Today I found joy in a very simple thing, and posted it on my facebook status:
it is all about attitude. Little sources of happiness are everywhere to be found and, if we look out for them, we can see many of them throughout the day. Today I found joy in a very simple thing, and posted it on my facebook status:
Today's simple pleasure ... from my Facebook status.
I always relish how quickly people respond to a bit of optimism and gratitude for the simple pleasures I sometimes point out, and I thank them for sharing my enthusiasm. Then there are a few cynical ones, of course, yet I also thank them, for inspiring me to think, and to write this post.
"When there's a garden full of flowers, why are you looking at the pile of rubbish?" and old Indian sage once said. Focus on the flowers. And if we cannot find them, change something.
Here's a really fun infographic by Barbarian Group co-founder Rick Webb to help you see what I'm getting at:
"When there's a garden full of flowers, why are you looking at the pile of rubbish?" and old Indian sage once said. Focus on the flowers. And if we cannot find them, change something.
Here's a really fun infographic by Barbarian Group co-founder Rick Webb to help you see what I'm getting at:
Happiness infographic, created by Barbarian Group co-founder Rick Webb
I choose to look at the flowers, and I hope this has inspired you to find your happy too, if you haven't already found it that is.
If you haven't, meanwhile here's a smile or two for you (smiles are contagious, did you know?).
If you haven't, meanwhile here's a smile or two for you (smiles are contagious, did you know?).
 |  |  |
Smile at the world, and it smiles at you!
Have a nice day.
Have a nice day.
RSS Feed
