Sally Huss - Addicted to Happiness!

Could We Have a Better American Idol? by Sally Huss

"A significant other is anyone in your presence."

 

(Happy Musings is a newspaper feature syndicated by King Features that I create each day to remind us all that “Life is wonderful!.”

 

As our latest American Idol stood on stage, humbly and graciously accepting his title, he revealed his generation's Achilles Heel.  "ME and Adam (the runner-up) decided we would just..."  It went something like that.  But it's the "ME and anybody" that concerns me.  I'm old enough to know and remember that "anyone comes before ME" in a sentence or a thought. 

 

This phenomenon of "ME first" in colloquial speech is everywhere today.  I've heard it standing in line at a lunch counter.  I've heard it in movies.  I've heard it coming out of the mouths of young people who work in my business.  And, when I correct them, they don't get it.  They don't get the deeper meaning implied, or the civility missing.  Then I stopped correcting these people and just listened to this pattern.  Even yesterday in my gallery an elementary school teacher was saying, "ME and my daughter came to town to..."  Ugh!

 

Then, as so often happens when one is not expecting it, the answer came.  I flipped on the TV while I was having breakfast.  Not a usual thing, but an unusual thing happened.  There on the screen was a woman, Jean Twenge, explaining this very phenomenon.  She was speaking about her new book THE NARCISSISM EPIDEMIC and it was all about "Generation Me."  I had not known technically there was such a thing.  But, besides being an author, Twenge is a psychology researcher with a Ph.D., a professor and speaker. She had research, statistics, antidotes, and everyday common sense to explain this trend. 

 

Dr. Twenge spoke of how all this self-centeredness got started, the emphasis in our homes and schools on self-esteem with our children, and the lack of allowing our young to understand where they truly stand in the scheme of things, whatever the scheme.  By giving everyone a trophy in a competition or not grading in school an unrealistic self-image is created, which is sure to be a set-up for failure in the real world.  It is important for us all to know the truth, from small children to adults.  If a child does not excel in sports or mental activities, he or she might be good at being a friend.  And, if he or she wishes to pursue an area in which he or she is not the best, that person can get better through work. 

 

The other interesting point Jean Twenge made was that there was no evidence to support the previously accepted idea that a high degree of self-esteem or self-importance leads to success in life or even happiness.  Better that each person know their true capabilities and their value to the whole of any group.  And, as far as happiness goes, her suggestion was to emphasize gratitude.  Those who are most grateful around the world seem to be the happiest.

 

There is so much to this area of study, it is wonderful that it is coming to light.  Our desire to have everything and give everything to our children might just have led us to the economic crisis we find ourselves in.  Now we are doing without, learning to appreciate and enjoy what we have, not moaning over what we do not have.

By Twenge's estimation, we are just about the most narcissistic society on the planet.  I say we need to have a better American Idol, an American Ideal.  That  would be a society that promotes wholesome values -- truthfulness, goodness, kindness, effort, gratitude, selflessness, etc.  Perhaps it could be called "Generation You First."           

 

Smiles, Sally

 

“Life is wonderful! Don’t forget it.”

 

Please make a comment if you like.  The more happy people, the better!   

To view my gallery of original art and peek at my extensive lines of bright and happy products, including THE HAPPY BOOK, bibs, nursery wall décor, totes and purses, and gifts with thoughtful thoughts, go to:  www.sallyhuss.com.)

 

Email: sally@sallyhuss.com

 

Sign up for our Happy News at:  http://www.sallyhuss.com/signup.htm

c 2008 Sally Huss

Who Wants to be in Love? by Sally Huss

"Goodness matters, for goodness sake!"

 

(Happy Musings is a newspaper feature syndicated by King Features that I create each day to remind us all that “Life is wonderful!.”

 

          Everyone wants to be in love!

 

          I live in a little coastal village in California and work in my own gallery/studio on a quiet street, off the beaten path, yet still in the village.  Everyday people wander in an out and reveal their lives as they look through the happy things they see.  It is amazing to me to observe how many men and women seek love and the benefits they hope it will bring to their lives.  It is amazing to me to see how many people are lacking that love in their lives.

 

          When I ask people what they really want in a loved one, some of them can describe the person, some cannot.  Some believe their right person exists, some do not.  Some are looking to fill a void in their life, some are looking to make an addition.

 

          But, when it comes down to it. everyone wants to be in love.  Love seems to be the answer to all kinds of questions, the solution to all kinds of problems.  Fine!  Fine!  But how to get that right person, the one to be in love with, is the secret.

 

          After a bit of study, lots of observation and a good deal of experience it seems to me that a person has to know for sure what they want, rather than who they want.  They need to know the qualities they want in another.  To me high on that list is goodness.  It is a great quality to insist upon in a loved one.  I don't know how many people think of this, but it is extremely important.  It covers a whole group of things like kindness, truthfulness, politeness, graciousness, unselfishness, generosity, and wholesomeness.   To be good is more than following the rules.  It is a sincere and essential quality of the heart.  It lasts.

 

          Not everyone is in love, as we think of it.  That is, in love with another.  But it is possible to be in love with the idea of being in love and stay there until that loved one shows up.  Surely he or she will.  

           

Smiles,

 

Sally

 

“Life is wonderful! Don’t forget it.”

 

Please make a comment if you like.  The more happy people, the better!   

 

To view my gallery of original art and peek at my extensive lines of bright and happy products, including THE HAPPY BOOK, bibs, nursery wall décor, totes and purses, and gifts with thoughtful thoughts, go to:  www.sallyhuss.com.)

 

Email: sally@sallyhuss.com

 

Sign up for our Happy News at:  http://www.sallyhuss.com/signup.htm

 

c 2008 Sally Huss

FORREST GUMP'S MOM WAS RIGHT by Sally Huss

"Guilt is the guilty party.  If it shows up, send it packing!"

(Happy Musings is a newspaper feature syndicated by King Features that I create each day to remind us all that “Life is wonderful!”  I offer it here to brighten your day.  Please share it with your friends.)

 

          I want to resurrect the place of "stupid" in our lives.  More precisely, I want to raise "stupid" to a place of prominence, put it up there on a pedestal where I think it belongs. 

          This is what I mean.  There is something that goes on in many of our lives for which "stupid" could be a big boon.  And, that is guilt!  Guilt is stupid, no question about it.  But to know this and get rid of the feeling of guilt is another matter.  That's where "stupid" comes in. 

          As we look back at our lives, whether we are 20, 40, 60 or 80 there are many stupid things we have done that may have caused hardship to ourselves or others.  Naturally we can rationalize our past behavior in any of these activities by saying we didn't know any better or if we knew then what we know now, etc.  Blah.  Blah.  Blah.  All this is true, of course, but it doesn't necessarily get rid of that awful feeling when the mind wanders back to those times or something trips us into remembering our faults or faulty actions.

          This is the beauty of "stupid" that I am trying to explain.  I say, take the word "stupid" and apply it to all those guilt-ridden memories of the past, distant or otherwise, for surely they were.  Then all lumped together, but still open for additions, and with their proper title, place the lot behind your back where you can't see it. 

          Now here's the best part.  Love "stupid!"  Love the whole thing with all your heart.  Love "stupid" along with all the regret associated with it.  Love all that it represents.  Put your loving arms around it, if they can reach, and hug "stupid" with all your might.

          As you know, love is the great problem-solver.  Let  it clear the air here.  Love the word, love the contents and love the place you have put it, behind you.  What relief you will feel!

          Love is normally associated with the present or future.  Why not have it behind you too?  All those stupid things in reality were just a lack of love in the first place, even tough love.  So this way it puts things right.  It sets things straight.  Let love show its stuff and triumph again.  This time over guilt.  Forrest Gump's mom was right that stupid is as stupid does.  In that case we have all been stupid at one time or another, but we don't have to stay that way.  Love is the answer, as it always is.

Yep, you gotta' love "stupid!"  Not to would really be stupid!

 

Smiles,

Sally

“Life is wonderful! Don’t forget it.”

I would like to add you to my friends’ list.  Please make a comment if you like.  I am trying to connect with as many like-minded people as possible. 

(To view my gallery of original art and peek at my extensive line of bright and happy products, including THE HAPPY BOOK, bibs, nursery wall décor, totes and purses, and gifts with thoughtful thoughts, go to:  www.sallyhuss.com.)

Email: sally@sallyhuss.com

Sign up for our Happy Musings at:  http://www.sallyhuss.com/sallyhuss_signup.htm

c 2008 Sally Huss

Less Might Just be More!

"Things are never the way they were.  They are simply, the way they are."

(Happy Musings is a newspaper feature syndicated by King Features that I create each day to remind us all that “Life is wonderful!”  I offer it here to brighten your day.  Please share it with your friends.)

 

            We are in a different world.  Perhaps it's the same world with a different perspective.  We are no longer as a country sitting on a pot of gold, leisurely indulging ourselves or following our every desire without concern.  These desires might have been homes, cars, boats, travel, education for our children or grandchildren, causes to help the poor, solutions to help the sick.  Now we have concerns, things to be attended to.  Our priorities have changed.

            What amazes me in this change of scenery is that there is still the hopefulness that things will get back to the way they were.  Politicians and pundits argue on how to do this.  But, things never get back to the way they were.

            Our planet is sailing through space at an enormous pace and each moment we are in a different place with different influences.  Nothing is ever the same, no matter how similar it may look.  This is a moving, changing, evolving environment we live in.  Everything in it is changing, as are we.

            My answer to this wish to return to the past, even if the past is just a year ago, is to give it up and deal with what is here now.  There is really no other choice.  There may be a wish to have it so, but not a choice. 

            The one choice we do have is whether to enjoy the state we are in or not, again, no matter the state.  Who is to say that going to a public school is not as good as going to a private school?  There are lessons to be learned everywhere.

Who is to say that living in an apartment with roommates is not as good as living in your own home?  We may learn to get along with each other better.  Who is to say that eating at home is not as good as eating out?  Perhaps we will learn a new talent.  Perhaps we will learn to nourish ourselves better.

            Yes, already I've seen concerns take the form of conservation.  "No, I don't need a bag for my greeting cards," a customer will say.  "Thanks for the break in rent."  "Let's drive together." 

            Yes, less might just be more!  It's all in how you look at it.

 

Smiles,

Sally

To view my gallery of original art and peek at my extensive lines of bright and happy products, including THE HAPPY BOOK, bibs, nursery wall décor, totes and purses, and gifts with thoughtful thoughts, go to:  www.sallyhuss.com.)

Email: sally@sallyhuss.com

You may receive FREE Sally's Happy Musings weekly by e-mail and previews of Sally's new self-help downloadable books (10 GREAT THOUGHTS ON LOVE and 10 GREAT THOUGHTS ON FRIENDSHIP) by going to http://www.sallyhuss.com/sallyhuss_signup.htm. Also you may download her Have-It-All Formula FREE

Happiness: Need money? How about a Blessing? by Sally Huss

"Give a quick thought to your concerns, but a longer one to your blessings."

(Happy Musings is a newspaper feature syndicated by King Features that I create each day to remind us all that “Life is wonderful!.”

 

Well, we can't forget about our everyday life and our everyday demands and our everyday bills, but we mustn't let them consume us.  Yes, a quick thought devoted to our concerns, then a plan of action, and then the best part -- thoughts about our blessings.  There is no end to those.

At one point in my life I was gone.  I was lost.  I was on my way out.  There was nothing left of me.  I was on the verge of death.  Then through a miraculous healing I was on the mend.  I got better and better until I reached the point where I was well again.  I was so grateful I vowed never to complain about anything from then on.  I had dissolved to where there was nothing left of me but consciousness.   I could see what was important -- life!  Not things or circumstances, but life!

So, I remind myself that during these difficult times, it is more important than ever to be happy and grateful.  If you're alive, it's enough.  Anything on top of that is a bonus.  This may be as good as it gets circumstance-wise.  But there are still big areas of growth we can attain with our hearts and minds. 

"Blessings" sounds like a religious term or a spiritual term.  To me it is simply a life term.  There are naught but blessings.  These are gifts.  When you have nothing, everything is a gift.  Yes, if you really think about it, everything is a gift.  From having family and friends to having a job or the possibility of a job to having something to eat, a few clothes to wear and a place to sleep.  These are the outside gifts, but there are the gifts inside --  our ability to love, our ability to reason and our senses, sight, hearing and so forth, which we would not trade for a million dollars.  Blessings do come in all shapes and sizes. 

I'm not being passive about the circumstances we find ourselves in these days.  It is just that I have always found that circumstances improve tremendously when a happy and grateful attitude is maintained.  And even if those circumstances do not improve, the time working to improve them is so much more enjoyable when the heart is happy and the point of view is positive.

So, I've come to the conclusion that the best way to circumvent the present circumstances we all find ourselves in is to see them as blessings, ones that forces us to stretch our collective smile!  

 

Smiles, Sally

“Life is wonderful! Don’t forget it.”

To view my gallery of original art and peek at my extensive lines of bright and happy products, including THE HAPPY BOOK, bibs, nursery wall décor, totes and purses, and gifts with thoughtful thoughts, go to:  www.sallyhuss.com.)

Email: sally@sallyhuss.com

You may receive FREE Sally's Happy Musings weekly by e-mail and previews of Sally's new self-help downloadable books (10 GREAT THOUGHTS ON LOVE and 10 GREAT THOUGHTS ON FRIENDSHIP) by going to http://www.sallyhuss.com/sallyhuss_signup.htm. Also you may download her Have-It-All Formula FREE

TOES ARE PEOPLE TOO! by Sally Huss

"The need to express kindness is as great as the need to receive kindness.  Kindly do your part."

(Happy Musings is a newspaper feature syndicated by King Features that I create each day to remind us all that “Life is wonderful!”  I offer it here to brighten your day.  Please share it with your friends.)

            It was a cold, rainy day in  La Jolla.  Unusual, although it was winter, it was still unusual for the area.  That's why I figured my son ended up coming into our art gallery one morning with a big bulky jacket on and nothing to cover his feet but sandals.  He always wears sandals, as do many young people in this beach community.  It's part of the dress code here.

            But, as I looked at his feet, beginning to turn blue, I wondered why he had left them out in the cold.  The only explanation I could come up with is that they were too far away from his thinking center or that he couldn't be bothered. 

            I had oftentimes in the past failed to care for parts of my own body, even my feet, because I was doing "more important things."  And, at the time they had seemed so far away too.  They could take care of themselves.  They were easy to forget.

            But now that I think about them, they do so much good.  They chip in every day, all day long, getting me from here to there, hopping over things, hardly tripping on any path I take.  They should be cared for.  They should be revered.

            Yes, I could understand my son's disregard for them, but also his need to care for them.  Now I've decided to look at this slight of foot issue and see where it takes me.

            As children we are taught to be kind, to care for one another.  It is part of society's civilizing process.  It goes on in homes, schools and churches.  Without this kindness and care in our lives we would disintegrate as a species, as a society, even as a nation, which is really what we are seeing now. 

            But also this kindness and care must be present to remain as an intact, healthy human being.  Fortunately we have the "ouch" syndrome that keeps us in check.  When we cross this threshold, of not being careful, and parts of us get hurt, we hurt.  Cutting a finger, getting too close to a fire, tripping on a step and falling, going out in the snow without a jacket and catching cold, lying in the sun for hours without sun protection and getting burned are all indications of a lack of care.

            Also there are the hurts from a lack of care that take longer to manifest like smoking and cancer, poor eating habits and heart disease, etc. 

            The value of being careful cannot be over estimated not only personally, but also nationally and internationally.  The lack of care has now affected our financial stability, not only locally, but globally.  The government was not careful.  Its regulators and legislators were lax.  Companies were less than careful.  In many cases their CEO's were greedy and morally remiss.  Individuals were also not careful, trusting their stability on unstable practices.  Banks gave in to the demands of want-to-be homeowners and their own desire to make deals.  Care was not taken here.  Ouch!

            Back to feet and kindness to the body.  Cold feet know their limits.  Coldness stresses the kidneys and challenges the immune system.  If that system is not strong, invaders waltz in and a throat becomes sore.  Ouch!  Sinuses become infected.  Ouch!  The head throbs.  Ouch!

            I was once playing tennis with a friend of mine, Stu Marshall, one of the top orthopedic surgeons in the San Diego area.  On this day he mentioned that he had not gotten much sleep the night before.  A special case arrived that he had to attend to.  A guy had severally damaged his back riding one of those bucking bull machines in a local bar.  He had no insurance and no one would help him.  Stu took the case, did the surgery and put his back, back in order.  I said, "Doesn't it just irk you that a perfectly healthy person would go out of his way to put himself in such danger?"

            Stu's response was, "I learned long ago not to judge situations, just handle them."  I guessed so.  But for the one hurting it is a hard way to learn. 

            In most cases, without carelessness there would be little need for the services of someone like Stu.  How many businesses have grown out of lack of care?  Much of the health industry is just that.

            Now back to personal care.  Why take care again?  Because of the "Ouch!" if you don't.  But also on another level -- the answer is kindness.  Kindness is a loving quality that resides in all of us and we need to bring it out more and more.

            Again, as young children we are taught to be kind to one another and to all that is alive -- our cats, dogs, turtles, birds, frogs, etc.   Yes, we need to be kind to everything that is alive.  But in reality isn't everything alive?  Isn't everything made up of this mysterious, miraculous energy we call life?  And as such, it is alive and therefore, most worthy of kindness. 

            If we lived with this awareness how would it change our point of view in regards to care taking?  How about it in regards to those cold feet with their active, work-horse toes?

            The cells of the toes and rest of the feet come in the form of muscles, ligaments, bone, cartilage, blood and even nails.  Each cell is an individual doing his part for the betterment of the whole.  He is complete yet dependent upon those around him.  He does his job and he appreciates any kindness shown to him.

            Now the foot too, as a whole, certainly appreciates kind gestures, i.e. a warm pair of socks on a cold day.  The foot with its toes even has friends who will send a message to someone who can help when he is in trouble.  But it is for that someone to hear the message, know the foot, including the toes, is cold and in need of covering.  And then, it is for that someone to act out of compassion and self-interest to fix the situation.  When the one in charge of the big picture fails to hear and heed the voices of the little people, the cells, the one in charge will pay a price and suffer as the lowly toes may be suffering.  Ouch!

            I have one friend who epitomes kindness in all its forms of caring.  Carmen is harmonious in everything she does and beautiful in every way.

            Carmen cares for herself, from top to bottom.  She does yoga for her body, plays bridge for her mind, studies and invests her money for her financial stability.  She has a wonderful husband, but maintains her own individuality, not melting into him.  She travels often to far places to feed her curious nature, expanding her knowledge and adding to her life experiences.  She is a gourmet cook and charming hostess.  She is as adept on the internet as she is comfortable in a roomful of guests.  She is someone full of kindness for herself and others.  Besides this, she cares for her feet, always providing the best shoes for her walks around town or around Europe.  She knows her toes and looks after them. 

            But how to get a young person like my son to hear the callings of his feet and pay attention to their needs before he ends up with the flu?  He is one of the kindest people I know.  Everyone agrees.  Nope, a mother can't do it.  A mother can't bring this to her son's attention.  As always, the feet have to fend for themselves.

            Why can't we treat our toes like people?  Why can't we love them and care for them as if they were our best friends?  After a round of tennis, a walk in the park, a twirl on the dance floor, or a wiggle in a bathtub full of bubbles we might just think that they are.

Smiles,

Sally

“Life is wonderful! Don’t forget it.”

You may receive FREE Sally's Happy Musings weekly by e-mail and previews of Sally's new self-help downloadable books (10 GREAT THOUGHTS ON LOVE and 10 GREAT THOUGHTS ON FRIENDSHIP) by going to http://www.sallyhuss.com/sallyhuss_signup.htm. Also you may download her Have-It-All Formula FREE.            

Email: sally@sallyhuss.com

Blogher Blog: http://www.blogher.com/blog/sallyhuss/

Website: http://www.sallyhuss.com/

Way Beyond Words is the Heart by Sally Huss

"Way beyond words is the heart.  Fortunately, it's so close."

(Happy Musings is a newspaper feature syndicated by King Features that I create each day to remind us all that “Life is wonderful!.”

 

It is now that seems to be difficult.  It is now that seems to be messy.  It used to be before that people thought times were difficult, but now it's now.

          People are scrambling to find a safe haven.  They are gathering their goods and loved ones and holding on.  They are fearful of a future that is not here but pretends to be here and is forecast to be coming. 

          People are hopeful that their world as they have known it will not end.  They need hope.  They need direction.  They need help.  No one who is in charge is really in charge, but they are looking for someone to be in charge who will fix it.

          Sometimes it cannot be fixed.  It can only be lived through.  And the best way to live through anything is -- happily.

          Where in the world can people turn for hope, for stability, for peace?  Within!  That's the only place of true solace.  That's the only place of true joy.

          Now, how to get there is the trick.  Try this:  Release all that you see -- by closing your eyes and being in a peaceful mode.  Release all that you hear -- by being in a quiet space.  Release all that you know -- by being in a humble state.  Release all that you want -- by being in a grateful place.

          Then enter the heart.  That's home.  That's where you are loved.  That's where you are at peace.  That's where you know you belong.  That's home now and forever.  Once there, never leave.

          You may open your eyes.  You may move into noisy spaces.  You may listen to lofty words.  You may feel needs.  But never leave home.  It is the only place where you can help yourself and in turn help others.  It is the place of true understanding, true gratitude, true rest.  Never leave home.  Home never leaves you.

          Remember, way beyond words is the heart.  Be glad it's so close!

Smiles,

Sally

“Life is wonderful! Don’t forget it.”

Please make a comment if you like.  The more happy people, the better!   

(To find out how you can send and receive my Happy Musings daily to brighten your day and others, go to www.happymusings.com.  To view my gallery of original art and peek at my extensive line of bright and happy products, including THE HAPPY BOOK, bibs, nursery wall décor, totes and purses, and gifts with thoughtful thoughts, go to:  www.sallyhuss.com.)

Email: sally@sallyhuss.com

Sign up for our Happy News at:  http://www.sallyhuss.com/signup.htm

c 2008 Sally Huss

What is the Most Important Thing to know Right Now? by Sally Huss

"Goodness matters, for goodness sake!"

(Happy Musings is a newspaper feature syndicated by King Features that I create each day to remind us all that “Life is wonderful!.”

  

 

As I woke up this morning with the remnants of a mildly disturbing dream lingering in my head, I thought that it would be nice to have a perfect bedtime story to read to myself every night before dropping off to sleep.  It would set things right for the mind.  Naturally a prayer or two are helpful as is the practice of counting one’s blessings.  But I thought that a magical bedtime story would be wonderful, one that went deep into oneself and planted the perfect thoughts.

Then I wrote it. 

Here it is:

There is a wonderful plan of which you are a part.  It is to bring goodness into the world, into your country, into your town, into your home, into your life.  You, like all people, are the container of this goodness.  You have the ability to spread goodness wherever you go and wherever you are.

The plan includes you, but is not about you.  It is about goodness, and the more you realize this, the better you feel.  The better you feel the more goodness you spread.  When you think of yourself, think of goodness.  When you think of your work, think of goodness. When you think of the people around you, think of goodness.  When you think of the circumstances in your life, think of goodness.

This is why you are here – to be good, think good, do good and feel good.

What could be better than that?  

That is my story.  I’m going to read it every night and see how it affects my life.  I invite you to do the same and then let me know how it affects your life as well.  It is based on the absolute truth.

 

Smiles, Sally

“Life is wonderful! Don’t forget it.”

Please make a comment if you like.  The more happy people, the better!   

(To find out how you can send and receive my Happy Musings daily to brighten your day and others, go to www.happymusings.com.  To view my gallery of original art and peek at my extensive line of bright and happy products, including THE HAPPY BOOK, bibs, nursery wall décor, totes and purses, and gifts with thoughtful thoughts, go to:  www.sallyhuss.com.)

Email: sally@sallyhuss.com

Sign up for our Happy News at:  http://www.sallyhuss.com/signup.htm

c 2008 Sally Huss

Want to Stop Worrying? by Sally Huss

"If worrying did some good, everything would be worth worrying about."

(Happy Musings is a newspaper feature syndicated by King Features that I create each day to remind us all that “Life is wonderful!.”

 

Worrying has become a popular pastime lately.  With the economy the way it is, the job market the way it is, the housing market and the stock market the way they are worrying has become epidemic in our society.  As unpleasant as it is, it is not easily gotten rid of or let go of.  But it must.  And to do so requires some information.

The first is to understand what it is.  Worry is the fearful concern for something or someone or of something that might happen.  It has to do with the future.  It is the continual mental action of fear.  And like all fear, it is based on the lack of something – usually knowledge.  Worrying grinds away on a subject, turning it over and over again, trying to make some sense of it or even trying to make an outcome come out in a preferred way.

The second thing to understand is that it is useless.  It is not only useless, it is detrimental.  It is pours negative energy on the subject and the one worrying. 

So it is not helpful in any sense.  Once you understand this, then the next step is to figure out how to get rid of it.

This touches on one’s core beliefs.  If you are a person who believes, and better still, knows that you are standing in the essence of God at all times, you can easily pass the buck and hand off your concerns by putting them in God’s hands.  Then relax and wait for answers and time to resolve your concerns.

If your beliefs do not include a Higher Power presence, but you are aware of the newly popular Law of Attraction that is eternally operating, you may wish to consider worrying in this light.  As you can imagine and even look back over your own life, you will see that worrying gets you more of what you worry about.  Focusing on the negative hardly ever leads to positive results.

Or, you may simply wish to use common sense and realize that worrying interferes with your ability to think clearly and solve problems effectively.  If your mind is being used for one activity, it can’t be used for another.  So practically speaking, worrying proves to be useless here again.

When you add all this up it is easy to see the benefit of letting go of this activity.  Yes, it is a habit whose time has come to be put to rest.

The most extreme case of worrying I know is my mother-in-law.  She worries at the drop of a hat.  The rest of the family dances around her in conversation trying not to hit a subject she can get her worry tangs into.  God forbid if someone should have a cold!  We deal with it, but don’t worry about it.

Worrying is somewhat like the most extreme case of motherhood.  It is like a mother who runs around protecting for every possible danger her child could get into.  She is constantly out in front of the child’s movements, trying to assess potential dangers and thwart them ahead of time.  It is as tiring to be such a mother as it is to be a worrier. 

If worrying did some good, everything would be worth worrying about.  But it’s not, so don’t!

Yep, give it up, this bad habit, if you have it.  Trust yourself, the light you stand in and the law that brings you your own.  Then let your brightness lighten the way for others to give up their worrisome concerns.

Remember the words of the great MAD magazine cartoon character Alfred E. Neuman, “What -- me worry?”  Let “Never!” be your answer.

 

Smiles, Sally

“Life is wonderful! Don’t forget it.”

Please make a comment if you like.  The more happy people, the better!   

(To find out how you can send and receive my Happy Musings daily to brighten your day and others, go to www.happymusings.com.  To view my gallery of original art and peek at my extensive line of bright and happy products, including THE HAPPY BOOK, bibs, nursery wall décor, totes and purses, and gifts with thoughtful thoughts, go to:  www.sallyhuss.com.)

Email: sally@sallyhuss.com

Sign up for our Happy News at:  http://www.sallyhuss.com/signup.htm

c 2008 Sally Huss

To Know But Not To Judge by Sally Huss

(Happy Musings is a newspaper feature syndicated by King Features that I create each day to remind us all that “Life is wonderful!.”

 

 

One of the kindest points of view to have is summed up in this saying.  It is a motto worthy of living by.  The first part -- to know -- is to understand or to be acquainted with a person.  But then to know without judging, that’s the trick.  We are limited many times by our own experiences and tend to slap judgments on what we see.  Our vision is limited.  When we truly want to know, we must see clearly and that can only be done without judgment

 

Now the next part of this wonderful aphorism – to love, but not to keep – is also very useful in realm of people and kindness.  When the word “mine” is not in the equation, we can enjoy and love everyone.  And everyone who is loved enjoys the benefits this kindness allows.  This is particularly true with family members – children and spouses.  When others are seen as “mine” a person can get very possessive.  But when seen as “mine to love” there is greater freedom enjoyed by all.

 

The last part of the verse -- to be, but not be asleep – takes into account the idea of being aware, but not being passive.  We’re here to act, to help out, to make things better, to participate.  We’re not here to find a comfort zone and sit in it. 

 

These three ideas provide a description of a particular way of life – one that gives a sense of purpose, a sense of freedom and one that has kindness at its core.      

 

 Smiles, Sally

“Life is wonderful! Don’t forget it.”

 

Please make a comment if you like.  The more happy people, the better!   

 

To view my gallery of original art and peek at my extensive lines of bright and happy products, including THE HAPPY BOOK, bibs, nursery wall décor, totes and purses, and gifts with thoughtful thoughts, go to:  www.sallyhuss.com.)

 

Email: sally@sallyhuss.com

Sign up for our Happy News at:  http://www.sallyhuss.com/signup.htm

c 2008 Sally Huss