Tag: “secret”

friday’s “secret” – “live in each season”

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“Live in each season as it passes; breath the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influences of each.”  – Henry David Thoreau

So, I haven’t had time to post these past few days; I have been very busy and sick. And at first I was upset that I hadn’t posted. I felt like I was messing up; not doing what I was suppose to be doing. But then I read the quote above and thought that this is yet another “secret” to happiness.

To be content, to live, to attempt to enjoy, each season:  busy, sick, healthy, whatever, as I am in it.  I have been busy these past couple of weeks, which is good. I had a tremendous sense of accomplishment of getting things done. Now I am sick, which is also good.  I have time to recover, time to read, time to watch a couple of movies, and time to post to my blog – some of the things that make me very happy.

So, what do you think? I am going to “live in each season” and enjoy life…

friday’s “secret” – “taking a genuine interest”

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“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in the details of daily live.” -William Morris

As I was perusing the book Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin (check the out the book here and where I talked about perusing the book here), I came across the above quote.

I am in total agreement with this statement.  I find that when I am particular, detailed, deliberate, and intentional, in almost all of the details of life, I enjoy life more.  When I know what I plan to accomplish that day and when I am methodical about making sure that I do it, there is a peace and satisfaction at the end of the day that leads to a feeling of contentment: a necessary element of my personal definition of happiness.

My personality lends itself to this type of “obsessive” behavior, however.  I love details, logistics, and planning.  But for others, I think, taking an interest in the minutia could  become tedious.  Thus, the quote could inspire them to take a genuine interest in those activities that they enjoy and not feel guilty about it.

What do you think? Leave your comments below.

friday’s “secret” – “surround yourself with precisely those things”

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How many, many times have I said to myself, “Self, I wish I had…” And I am not talking about a thing, necessarily; like a new car, a nicer house, etc. I am talking about wishing for things that I COULD have.

The quote above (and its author is unknown to me) speaks of leading  “fascinating life – one brimming with art, music, and intrigue, and romance.”  I do not necessarily want a life of “intrigue” but he or she does make an interesting point.  In order to have what we want, we have to be intentional about placing those things in our lives every day.

To use the quotes example,  if I want my life to be “brimming” with music, I need to turn on the radio, plug-in the iPod, do something to hear more music.  If I am wishing for a more peaceful existence,  I need to find an exercise that alleviates stress (yoga perhaps; there are routines on YouTube), and instead of watching that TV show which won’t matter in the morning at all, I should go to sleep.  If I wish for a more orderly home,  I should spend 15 minutes each evening, putting things back in their proper place.

It is a sad and pathetic thing, when I wish for things that I could have; especially things that cost little to no money at all and just require a little intention.

So what are you going to do, intentionally, this weekend…

enjoy life…