Happiness....

Today I got chosen for Jury Duty.. The selection process took most of the day so I had time to read alot!

I was reading an article on happiness from the Reader's digest and I wrote things down that I really wanted to remember and share.

Eleanor Roosevelt said:

" Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness you are able to give."

Mark O'Connell says:
"Happiness is a by-product of a well-lived life and it is achieved through the pursuit of endeaveors that are meaningful and sometimes painful."

The moral of the story is that values and morals bring more happiness than people or things.

Economic, political and religous freedom bring happiness, moral freedom and lack of discipline doesn't and can't.

One of the things I tell my kids when they don't want to follow instructions, such as no hitting, punching, kicking, spitting etc. is "Can I do that to you?" If they say no, then the rule is don't do it to them. Well they were exerting moral freedom based on how they felt.

We can't just knock someone off because we don't like their opinion on something or take something that doesn't belong to us. Very simple concepts! There are written and unwritten rules for that sort of thing.(The ten commandments, our innate need for love) Why can't people put their brains around this!! Our society says, I want to do what I want to do!! I'll keep doing it until someone stops me. (jury duty on my mind)

When confronted with a situation, look at the facts not your feelings and ( As Hugh always says) " SAY THAT OUTLOUD and then form an opinion!! "

Ask yourself what kind of freedom do you want?

Are you happy?

Happy or Joyful - There is a difference. Happiness is circumstantial and Joy is everlasting! That is another post.

(My husband would get technical about joy and happiness, but in this post happy covers both definitions:))