Be Happy and Contented!


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Be Happy and Contented!

I'll be happy and contented when...

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get... married, have a baby, then another.
Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are.
After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with.
We will certainly be happy and contented when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice vacation or when we retire, when we...
The truth is there's no better time to be happy and contented than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges.
It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy and contented anyway. Happiness and feeling contented is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with... and remember that time waits for no one.
Be happy! Everybody wants to be happy and avoid suffering. We all want lasting happiness and freedom from suffering and distress. Ask: What really brings that about?
- What You Plant Is What You Get!
- Remember the Kindness of Others and Notice the Advantages of Cherishing Others
- The Four Truths of the Noble Ones
  
  So, stop waiting ...
  Until your car or home is paid off.
  Until you get a new car or home.
  Until your kids leave the house.
  Until you go back to school.
  Until you finish school.
  Until you lose 10 lbs.
  Until you gain 10 lbs.
  Until you get married.
  Until you get a divorce.
  Until you have kids.
  Until you retire.
  Until summer.
  Until spring.
  Until winter.
  Until fall.
  Until you die.
  
  There is no better time than right now to be happy and contented! Happiness and contentment is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, and, dance like no one's watching.
In order to create a new future...

we need to leave the feelings and choices

of the past behind!

Kiss the Earth
By Thich Nhat Hanh

Walk and touch peace every moment.
Walk and touch happiness every moment.
Each step brings a fresh breeze.
Each step makes a flower bloom.
Kiss the Earth with your feet.
Bring the Earth your love and happiness.
The Earth will be safe
when we feel safe in ourselves.

Adapted from Thich Nhat Hanh: Buddhism in Action, by Maura D. Shaw (Skylight Paths, 2004). Shared by my friend Michelle.

Here are a few easy rules to remember and live by.
Wisdom by Rick

1. Keep in touch with the Child in U!
2. Go to bed thinking only happy thoughts.
3. Wake up remembering those happy thoughts!
4. Say NO to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is More; often if one's not enough, 2R often 2many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. If something arises over which U have no control; let it go: remember UR not the General Manger of the universe!
12. Have backups; an extra car key in UR wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
13. Enjoy the kid in you!
14. Get enough exercise.
15. Junk the junk food; eat less!
16. Get organized.
17. Everyday, find time to be alone.

The practical wisdom that is shared above is taken from e-mails that were sent to me. Original author unknown.

Explore also Make Your Mind an Ocean: Aspects of Buddhist Psychology for ideas about What really brings me lasting happiness and contentment? Also visit the Meditation Section.

A truly happy person is one who
can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Well-being is attained by little

and little, and nevertheless it is

no little thing itself.

Zeno of Citium (c.335-c.263 B.C.) Greek philosopher

This lovely book is from Running Press Book Publishers, in Philadelphia, (1995)

http://www.perseusbooksgroup.com/runningpress/home.jsp ISBN: 1-56138-516-6 it can be ordered from: www.buy.com and used at www.amazon.com

It's very CUTE and insightful!

Here are some excerpts:

Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have. Hyman Judith Schachtel (1907 - 1990)

To see a World in a Grain of Sand And a Heaven in a Wild Flower Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an hour...William Blake (1757 -1827) English poet

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile. Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997). I encourage you to extend this same consideration towards yourself when you are feeling overwhelmed and yucky! Bob

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. Helen Keller (1880 - 1968) American writer and lecturer.

Cultivate more joy by arranging your life so that more joy will be likely. Georgia Witkin (b. 1943) American professor of psychiatry.

In things pertaining to enthusiasm, no man is sane who does not know how to be insane on proper occasions. Henry Ward Beecher (1813 - 1887) American clergyman, editor, and writer

Scatter joy. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882) American essayist and poet

It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere. Agnes Repplier (1855 - 1950). American broadcaster and writer.

The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one has to do. James M. Barrie (1860 - 1937) Scottish novelist and dramatist.

What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner. Colette (1873 - 1954) French writer.

This book is not just for the children in your life. It is also for you! As you learn to guide your children's discovery of joy your awareness will expand and you will grow more in touch with your own inner joy. It is both a source and a resource book. Between its covers is a wealth of ideas and activities. In addition it is liberally sprinkled with quotations and references to lead you to a wide variety of excellent resources.

Visit Alan on his site: http://www.alancohen.com/online-store/books

When Self-Improvement Gives Way to Ecstasy

Welcome relief for those who have labored on self-improvement. Illuminating insights on quitting the fixing game, taking back your power, and getting on with the life you were born to live . Touching, humorous, and acclaimed as "the Bible for Self-Help survivors." This book will surely help you to take your power back and remember that what you are seeking already lives within you, as you.

Bob's review: This book is really FUN! It plants numerous nuggets of transformative thinking. I love the: Attitude Of Gratitude, Doors To The Light, I'm Off To Be The Wizard, Follow Your Spirit...well, really all of them! The book is FUN to just open any section and start reading! For a mind-stretching exploration visit: Are You As Happy As Your Dog? or Why Your Life Sucks (and What You Can Do About It)

Frolic in these sections!