Wednesday August 24 2016  WHAT HAPPY PEOPLE DO

My schedule is discombobulated due to the necessity for more rest in order to allow my injuries to heal.  Instead of my regular schedule of always staying home on my “WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS” I actually worked out today before going to the barber for a haircut.  And you know what; my Wednesday was still wonderful, sore ribs and all.

My workouts at present are physical therapy workouts ascribed by the doctor to assist in the healing of my strained ham string and broken ribs.  I go three days a week, with a day of rest in between as well as a two day rest on the weekend.  I am feeling a bit better each day.  I usually workout four days a week but will not do so until I can do more strenuous exercise.  In the mean time I will follow the instructions suggested to me by the doctor.  But, I discovered that even Wednesday is a lovely day after all, regardless if I workout or not.  I am just thrilled my injuries are healing. 

It doesn’t take much for me to be happy.  I simply enjoy life, wherever I am, whatever I am doing.  All of my moments and hours are adventures to me.  I know I drive some people batty with my zest for life, and I can be overpowering and probably overbearing to many.  As I go through my days I must TRY to keep myself focused on things that are time sensitive because it easy for me to forget to look at a clock. Siri who abides in my iPhone is one of my best friends.  I set timers by voice command and Siri keeps me on track.  I prepare for what must be prepared for and try to work on my projects when time allows.  I love people, enjoy going places, live in the moment, and am constantly pursuing goals.  And I have even discovered that I enjoy the hour when I must lie prone each day with my feet propped up.  I can read the newspaper, read a book, call a friend, or even watch an hour of television.  I have even viewed a couple of movies I “taped” last year. 

I actually called a friend this week and we talked quite a bit longer than an hour.  My friend Darlene and I go way back.  She was a local neighbor for the past 30 years but moved to Evansville a year ago.  We have only spoken a few times since she moved so it was really great to get caught up.  I realize I need to get reacquainted with my friends of old.  When I worked it was necessary to limit most relationships due to my overloaded schedule.  It felt like old times when we talked on the phone the other day.  She reads my blog so she keeps current with what is going in my life. The only social media that I do is read a couple of other blogs.  I never go on face book, twitter, or whatever else is out there.  Again, time is still the driving factor.

Darlene paid me a compliment when we spoke on the phone.  It was one of the nicest compliments I have ever received.  Darlene is much more subdued than I am and I fear I must tire her out when she is around me because I always want to be up and doing something.  Now that I am older I diligently try to act my age but sometimes it just makes me feel like I am going to pop!  I have often felt a little different than most other people.  I shared that thought with Darlene and her response to me was:  “You spend more time enjoying life than anyone else I know.  You get enjoyment out of every little thing, every minute detail.”

Note to Darlene:  “Darlene you will never know how much your comment touched my heart.  It was as if someone finally looked inside me and understood how I view life.  And believe it or not, I only show a subdued side of myself to others for fear of being thought of as wacky or immature.  For me, life is just so amazing that I don’t want to miss a minute of it.”

Later during a time of introspection I asked myself, “why am I so happy?”  I came to the conclusion that the reason I am so content and happy is because I am filled with the joy of the Lord and with a peace that only God can give.  And my greatest goal in life is to be in God’s will.

A couple of days after our above conversation I listened to a sermon online at www.southlandchristian.org preached on July 1, 2012.  The message series was “5 Easy Ways to Wreck Your Life”.  The Sermon title was “LET PLEASURE DRIVE YOU”.

The sermons are based on the book of Ecclesiastes written by Solomon at the end of his life when he realized he had failed God.  He looked back over his life and he realized that without God in his life, his life was just meaningless, like chasing the wind.  I have read this Old Testament book many times but only now have I truly been enlightened as to the point Solomon was trying to convey.  I have listened to three of the five messages in the series about “5 Easy Ways to Wreck Your Life” and look forward to hearing the last two.  This teaching about Ecclesiastes is excellent.  I highly suggest you look it up if it interests you.

Mike Breaux was the speaker and he used as a reference the book, “THE LAW OF HAPPINESS” by Dr. Henry Cloud.  I just looked it up online and purchased a hardback copy for $ .75 (plus $3.99 for shipping).  I found it on www.half.com which my favorite place to buy used books.

I took some rough notes of Mike Breaux’s message and I will share with you the abbreviated account of what makes a happy person.

HAPPY PEOPLE:

1.  …are givers, and give generously
2. …are not lazy about helping others
3. …live in the moment and live life intentionally
4. …pursue goals
5. …fully engage in what they do
6. …connect with other people
7. …don’t compare themselves to other people
8. …think well and have godly thoughts
9. …are grateful and thankful
10. …are forgiving
11. …have a calling on their life and have a sense of  purpose
12. …have a strong faith
13. …embrace every moment

The above were notes of Mike Breaux sharing another writer’s thoughts.  I identified with what Mike Breaux was passing on.  Ponder the above list for a moment and see how many descriptive phrases you embrace and identify as a trait you have.  For me, I don’t think so much in the term of “being happy”, rather I believe I am simply filled with the joy of the Lord and perhaps that is what other people translate into happiness and contentment.  I suppose joy and happiness are interchangeable if you look at the synonyms for each word.  Four words out of eight are the same. 

 

WHAT HAPPY PEOPLE DO

By Kathleen Martens

August 24, 2016

 

As I view happiness

I believe it’s a choice

As I decide how to live,

And how to lift my voice.

 

To give generously

Is something I chose to do.

And helping others

Is but my choice too.

 

To live in the moment

Is to not squander time,

And I choose intentionality

As I draw my line.

 

To pursue goals

Is a satisfying endeavor,

And to engage purposely

Should last forever.

 

Connecting with people,

Seeing how everyone is unique.

Enjoying God’s design

Without comparisons to seek.

 

To think beautiful thoughts

That God sends our way,

That which is just and pure

Throughout the entire day.

 

Think on things that are lovely

And are of good report.

And even the praiseworthy

Is meditative support.

 

Choose to be thankful

And forever grateful,

Always forgiving others

And never being hateful.

 

As you find your calling

And you hear God’s voice,

Your faith will increase

And your happiness is choice.

 

Embrace each moment

And live in God’s presence,

When you choose happiness

You live in God’s essence.

 

Thank You God for all the wonderful teaching I receive through Your scriptures.

Thank You God that my life is not meaningless when Your joy resides in my soul.

Thank You God for every moment I live.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU

 

P.S.  “A PICTURE INTO THE PAST” WILL BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.