Catch the Dream. Used with permission. Owner reserves all rights.
bikehikebabe sent me these words of wisdom from the internet:
How to Stay Happy Always
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them, this is why you pay them.
2. Keep only cheerful friends… The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, art, history, gardening, whatever! Never let the brain get idle. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s!
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with him or her!
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve. Then go on. The only person who is with us our entire life is our self. LIVE while you are alive. Those who loved you but are gone will understand and applaud!
7. Surround yourself with what you love. Whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies or whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
The end of the e-mail added, “And if you don’t send this to at least four people – who cares? But do share this with at least someone.” So I’m sharing the list with you. 🙂
What About You? Do you any of these sentiments resonate with you? Are there any you disagree with?
Wow, Did I send you that? That’s a helpful one to keep. How about no. 10. Tell the people you love that you love them. How about I love you.
bikehikebabe,
Yes, you did send me that list. In general I’m good about No 10. I do believe you’re on the list of people I’ve told. If not, I’m telling you now. I love you, bikehikebabe! I’m going to miss you when you’re on your India trip. 🙂
Everyone,
Does saying or hearing “I love you” make you feel uncomfortable? I know some people have that reaction. I sometimes don’t say it because I think the other person might feel uncomfortable, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel it.
I must say I feel a little uncomfortable when one of my daughters always says, I love you, after every phone conversation. I think that goes without saying. BUT now I think it’s better if you say it.
No. 11: Spend time with little kids.
Terros last blog post..More Play Days!
bikehikebabe,
I prefer to say it when the other person likes it. My husband is a bit uncomfortable with the phrase so instead I tell him how much I appreciate him. That works fine.
Terro,
I’m still a kid at heart. That works too. 😉
Every one of them is a gem. I agree with all of them and disagree with none.
I too feel odd when people end their conversations with “Love you”. It is worse, when I am expected to respond with “Love you too”. I think that this bit of wisdom from bikehikebabe has given me an idea for a post.
rummusers last blog post..Never Born, Never Died, Just Visited This Planet. – Osho.
rummuser, Saying “Love you” is a girly thing to say; said in a casual light-hearted way. “I love you too” (tee hee) would sound funny coming from you. If you looked deep into their eyes & said in a deep voice, “I love you” to your father or son, that would really have meaning.
Actually rummuser, don’t do that. That would make anyone uncomfortable. They know you love them.
bikehikebabe, you are a treat you are. I love you.
rummusers last blog post..Never Born, Never Died, Just Visited This Planet. – Osho.
rummuser and bikehikebabe,
This business of saying “I love you,” is a hard one for me. I feel love a lot more than I say it because I know it would make some people uncomfortable. I think it’s a sad commentary that anger is a more socially acceptable emotion than feelings of warmth, affection and love.
Just in case you haven’t figured it out, I love you both.
rummuser,
When you think the other person expects you to respond, “I love you too”…if you feel affection for the person what if you just smiled and said, “That goes both ways.” Would that work for you? It would return the warmth without having to use the L word.
Jean, you are a treat too. I have indeed figured that out alright. No problem responding with the L word for me. The problem is in initiating it. With the kind of practice I am getting here, I am sure to be able to handle that too! Thank you.
rummusers last blog post..Never Born, Never Died, Just Visited This Planet. – Osho.
Thanks bikehikebabe for sharing that and Jean for publishing it!
In reading the comments about love, I starting thinking of the saying “actions speak louder than words” and became momentarily overwhelmed from my wife’s actions of love for our daughter and me. She fights off pain and fatigue to try to be a mom and wife. I suspect rummuser need not say to his family “I love you.” He tells them that through actions everyday.
Square Peg Guys last blog post..Blah Blah
Square Peg Guy,
“Actions speak louder than words.” Yes and no. I know people who use the L word but their actions don’t congruent with the words. And I’m sure rummuser’s family knows he loves them, but I’ll bet it’s more than just what he does for them. It’s his nonverbal communication as he does it. But I also know a lot of guys whose fathers cared for the family and worked hard to provide for them, but the love didn’t come through to the kids. Presumably the mother knew the father cared, but I’ll bet she wished he could have communicated it better, either verbally or nonverbally.
The words ‘I love you’ were not used very often when I was a child. Living all my married life in a troubled Northern Ireland, I was conscious that when my husband left for work each day there was always the chance he would not come home. That alone made saying ‘I love you’ very important.
Grannymars last blog post..24th March
Grannymar,
I’m with you. I don’t live in a dangerous area, but I’ve always been conscious of how fragile life can be. Thank you for coming by and commenting.
hearing someone says ‘i love you’ makes you feel appreciated…which also makes you happy..
i simply loved dis……..thank u
You must always take good care of yourself coz no one will.
I hate being happy 🙁
If it works or you, go for it. 😀