Thread: Are you happy?

I can honestly say I am happier today than I've ever been in my entire life. The cloud or fog, of drug and alcohol abuse is gone, I am no longer depressed, and I'm able now to see the forest for the trees. Yes there's pain sometimes, but I can feel it...I'm not numb anymore. And I've learned that's not a bad thing...because I can also feel joy. I thank God and the people closest to me, that I am where I am today, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. I may have lost many years of my life, but every minute now counts tenfold. I'm living each minute to the fullest, and loving the people in my life with everything I have to give.

I am happy.

It is funny that you use that term. If you ask people what they want most in life, most will say "I want to be happy'.

But happiness is always hard to define. And it is something you can search a life time for. And materialism won't give it to you.

I love to learn. But I don't really like books yet I really like people. And I personally grow spiritually through other people. To me, we are all imperfect and that is why we need other people. It is almost like a barter system. Actually, to me it is a barter system.

I have healed so much from men's sites. I almost think I gain more than I give. But I will give back. And that is why I WILL and DO action. Because I want to give back in a way that is beneficial. I don't know if I ever help another through my writings. Yet, I know women are grateful for me to share what I learn from men's sites.

I had a major discussion with the council yesterday. I opened the eyes to someone who gives out the funding. How great that is for my community.

As for my life, well, let's see. I was told by one man the other day that I am a honey. And 2 days ago I found myself flirting with my youngest son's teacher.

But my time is focused on my sons. And working to pay the bills. That sucks in a way. So, I enjoy very much to be a part of other's lives even if it is online. It seems such a safe place to me.

Oh, oh, Tera. I think this is going to be a learning post in itself for you and I. How different are men than women and how much are we the same.

I am hoping many speak up on this. You see, in a way, this site IS group therapy.

Julie,

I agree...and when and if you really think about it, everything in life is (or can be) a learning experience. I prefer to look at the road blocks in my life that way. I don't think anyone has caused me more suffering than I've caused myself. What an epiphany it was, the day I figured that one out. I choose now to be my own best friend instead of my own worst enemy. May sound (oh what's the word)- l don't know...like a stupid cliche, I guess, but it's the truth. Some habits are truly hard to change and take an entire lifetime to accomplish.....but as long as I am still alive it's worth the struggle.

I never knew the depth of how much people cared about me until I stopped using drugs. I never understood it. I guess I couldn't see it because I did not love myself. And I never knew how much I robbed the people around me of feeling the love I have for them. I had a hard time showing it. NO more. Life's too short, it's too precious.

Julie,

What I've also had to learn is that happiness doesn't come to any of us on a silver platter. We have to work for it. We have to create it. No one else can do it for us. We can't be dependent on others for our own happiness. And we can't share what we don't have. Going into the relationship I'm in now, I went in being at peace with myself, being at peace with my past. Having built a foundation of happiness for myself before I got involved with someone new helped me to be able to give something- to share something (happiness) with my partner. Had I gone into this unhappy, needy, dependent, I think I would've been an unfair burden to him.

Two books that have been inspirational to me: "Ten Secrets to Success and Inner Peace" and "There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem", both written by Dr. Wayne Dyer. This is a man who grew up in an orphanage and various foster homes, overcame his own issues with chemical dependency, and went on to become a very happy, successful man. His journey inspires me.



Daily Inspiration


Monday, April 14, 2008 | Yesterday
True happiness resides within me.

Most people are searching for happiness outside of themselves. That’s a fundamental mistake. Happiness is something that you are, and it comes from the way that you think.

Tera, gosh how much I love to share this stuff with others. You are on a special journal like myself.

But what we MUST do, in the least to care for others.....

I think we (you and I should take a break from here for a week. This site is not meant for us to open up this way)

E-mail me on this site. We can discuss things off-line. If you want.

Okay, ladies. Cool it. Let the men talk now. TMJ.

How can a second class citizen be happy?

I voted: No, I'm not happy, and the future is looking pretty bleak.

I'm always miserable.

Quote from Billy

Brian I can certainly understand where you are coming from. You are already setting your future to be unhappy.
Life isn't always grand but we can make things worse for ourselves.

You obviously believe you dreams are impossible?
It is possible that reaching that dream wouldn't really make you happy for long. We have to find happiness wherever we are in life for nothing will really ever make us happy until we do.. Happiness is within you.

.

Hello Billy, maybe I should have modified the end of the statement to:

and the future is looking pretty bleak for me if I stay in the UK.

I'm planning on getting out. I hate the UK and London and can't wait to leave it. So maybe there is a glimmer of light on the horizon.

Quote from Billy

John what does TMJ mean? Too much Julie?

Usually it is used to refer to a medical condition that is essentially lock-jaw. It stands for "Temporomandibular joint." Women get it a little more than men do. Some people make light of TMJ and say that it means "Too much jabberin'." So I was telling those chatty Cathys that they were doing TMJ.

I have known happiness. I have known great happiness. I have known Joy. Currently, for what seems to be far too long, I am being acquainted with misery, poverty and dismay. I try to keep them at arms length but it comes on the form of a black dog. Worryingly, we get along well.

I could not, honestly, call myself 'happy'. It would be more accurate to call me a grumpy old sod.

But there is tomorrow - and the next day - and the day when the taxman comes and asks what happened to my tax returns for the past seven years.

I will unleash the dog on him.

(If it is a Taxwoman, I will cry 'Havok' as well)

"Are You Happy?"

No. Not at all.