NO EASY RIDE
Saturday Aug. 30, 2014
We don’t get what we deserve.
We usually get what we bargain for, what we negotiate.
The more we express needs/wants/wishes, better is our chance of getting what we want.
Which guarantees nothing.
It clears our mind, concentrates our focus on what is most important.
Easier, always, to negotiate with some honey than with a dose of vinegar.
Easier to please someone when doing what they ask for pleases them.
Which is fine, if it pleases you too …
Getting things on track, back on track or out of that ditch is more than hard work – it is a relentless struggle with ourselves.
Do good.
Do right.
Do what is expected.
Do what someone else wants us to do …
None of which makes everyone happy. Rather than making everyone happy, I think we should focus on #1. Make ourselves happy.
For some that is a giving process. For others, a taking one.
I’ve been on both sides of that fence. By choice and by circumstance.
I prefer the giving mode – but I understand people who are in a take-place, a victim-space, a nega-tive place.
I choose not to be them, with them or hang out with them.
So, is happiness a choice, a circumstance or a state of mind?
There is no rationality to it – just how we feel. Write or wrong – weak or strong, I cannot right something that has tipped over. Not by simply wishing it so, or wishing it would go away.
Happiness is mine.
Yours is yours.
Think of it like balloons, don’t walk around (or run) with sharp objects and chances are best that nobody will prick your balloon on purpose. Or by accident.
Beware of self-inflicted accidents.
Is happiness my goal?
That’s hard to answer – it seems some days it is the only thing that is important but getting it to show up is challenging.
Some days, making someone else happy is the most important and delivers a level of happiness we didn’t first imagine.
Or even second.
Happy Saturday. Happy long weekend.
Mark Kolke
column written/ published from Calgary
morning walk: 9C/49F, mostly clear sky, easy breeze and traffic quiet, Gusta was hot on the trail of something we never found – Magpies were amused as she went right by them without noticing (some days she seems to not see, or maybe she’s too obsesses to look up)
Reader feedback / comments always welcome:
I liked your art/life analogy this morning, CM, Calgary, AB
I would describe my life art form as expressionistic abstract., GW, Bon Wier, Tx.
Hi Mark.....perhaps my interpretation of your "Pathfinder" musing was different. New wheels? I didn't read this into it. Albeit a new Nissan Pathfinder would be an excellent choice. A great vehicle. (as is the 370Z). Cheers, TL, Calgary … p.s. Hope you get time for some golfing this weekend!
