Perfectly Positive Pollyanna Get's Real

Last night I was thinking about the big disconnect between my desires and where I really am. For me there's this huge gaping valley that at times seems impossible to traverse.

Here's what I mean:

• I want to be positive but I tend to be critical and judgemental.
• I want to be happy but don't always seem to have the best attitude.
• I want to be unaffected by my circumstances, but tend toward frustration.

Now I understand that life isn't perfect and that we are all our own biggest critics, yet it would be wise to include a lot of grace in the mix. Not only when dealing with others, but also when dealing with ourselves. I think it would go a long way.

Anyway, I found this great article by David Leonhardt entitled simply "Happiness" that really encouraged my heart-it adjusted my perspective in a way that I desperately needed.

His website is: www.thehappyguy.com and you can get his "Daily Dose of Happiness" email, where I got this piece. I've taken the liberty of emphasizing key points.


"Happiness
Are you happy every day? Are you happy every hour? Are you happy every minute? Me neither.

Happiness is not about wearing a 24/7 grin across your face. Happiness is about being comfortable with who you are and where you are, and feeling that your life is good.

There is room for frustration in happiness.
There is no room for being ruled by frustration.

There is room for sadness in happiness.
There is no room for being ruled by sadness.

There is room for anger in happiness.
There is no room for being ruled by anger."
What a refreshing perspective!