Don't Worry Be Happy

If you really want to be happy, nobody can stop you. - Sister Mary Tricky

So often, we are afraid to risk being happy. Strange, itsn't it, thatbeing happy can be seen as a risk? There are all sorts of dangers involved.

We have discovered that there are people around us who are suspicious of happy people...they just can't be trusted. Then, there are others who seen openly to resent happiness and seem determined to squash it at every turn. After all, if one person is happy, doesn't this reflect upon those who aren't and, invisibly, put some kind of pressure on everyone else to be happy, too? At the very least, a happy person demonstrates that happiness is possible and, if it's possible, then isn't it available to everyone?

Then, there are our own qualms...it will do away...it won't last...it will make us vulnerable. By the time we get through all these issues, happiness has gone.

We do, however, as human beings have the potential and the right to be happy. Indeed, there's a rumor doing around that happiness is what the Creator had in mind for us.

My happiness is up to me. I don't have to make it happen. The potential is always there within me.

Judgement and Acceptance

I admit it! I can be selfish, inpatient, and whiney. I forget that “it’s not about me.”. I worry way too much about what could, should and might happen. I plan myself into a tight box too often. I can adopt an annoying “poor me” attitude over the littlest of things in hindsight. I can talk myself out of social situations because of my own awkwardness and shyness. I over analyze myself, and not in a helpful way. I can succumb to loneliness when in fact I know that I have people who care about me. I second guess myself. I feel guilty for asking for help.


I also know these to be true. I can be selfless and pathologically patient. I wear a shield of empathy and perspective with others who are struggling. I have faith and optimism in dire situations. My favorite memories are when I have been spontaneous. I pride myself in my perseverance and give myself credit for fighting big battles. I feel most confident when I reach outside of my comfort zone. I can laugh at myself and not take myself too seriously. I relish my alone time and time with dear friends. I know that I have intuitions that won’t guide me wrong. I’ve learned to reach out to others when I need help and have much gratitude for their assistance.

Often times, we forget that we possess the very strengths that are the antithesis of our weaknesses. It’s called being human - imperfect. I’m reminded that very little things in life are all black and white, or all-or-nothing. That includes me when I’m being one way or another. There’s this saying, “We judge others by their behavior. We judge ourselves by our intentions.” Humbly, this is a reminder to me that others are not all or nothing either. It is far better to judge others as having good intentions. I know that my behaviors don’t always reflect my good intentions. At risk of sounding corny, I am (we are) a human being not a human doing.

I pray that I can begin to be more mindful of being gentler with myself and others. We all are caring heavy burdens and are doing our best at this very moment.