While I was cleaning house the other day preparing for my overnight “guests”, I had a mindless television show on while working. I wasn’t particularly paying attention or so I thought until I heard the young man say, (paraphrasing) “You know what your problem is? You have a happy life, but you are afraid to admit it, because it isn’t what you had pictured in your head for yourself. So if happiness is what you really want, change that picture.”
Here I am several days later, and this phrase continues to resonate in my mind. Even at my age, I continue to question what I will be when I “grow up”. How I can make a difference, better myself and help others. Would “changing the picture” be giving in to mediocrity? Or would it simply be accepting happiness and life as it is?
Perhaps turning the channel is the better solution?
I don’t know. Just thinking outloud…..because of a thoughtless tv show.
What do you think? ♥
stuff i tell my sister 
Hmmm? Let’s see: “make a difference, better myself and help others” – I think you’ve found your niche right here, girlfriend! And I don’t believe I know anyone who has accepted “happiness and life as it is” as well as you. I know that you have made a huge difference in my life (as well as many, many others) and for that, I thank you! Have a great rest of the week!
Awww Christi ~ thanks so much. Blogging is good therapy because of sweet folks like you. 🙂 So good to know you!….ready for round 2 at TK’s soon! 🙂
Nice thought! Sometimes I complain about the quality of tv shows nowadays, but every once in awhile you get a great idea from them… This is one of them! great post
I’m with you…..not too often……:) Thanks ~
I also agree with that statement on some level. Usually young people have a good picture about how they want their lives to be when they’re 25,30,50, whatever, but rarely does that come true. I know I had a plan, but I ended up having a child early, and my plan changed. Am I where I thought I’d be at 29? Not even close. Am I happy? Yes, because I changed my mental picture of my future to accommodate the wonderful changes in my life.
Does that mean I stop having goals, stop trying to better myself, stop trying to reach higher? Nope. I still have the forward momentum, just on a different track.
Your attitude is terrific! Thanks for that!!! ♥
I think there’s a bit of both. I think you can choose happiness by having a positive attitude – I love the phase from the Bible “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” – I think contentment can allow for happiness. You never want contentment to transition into complacency though – we can always do, serve, give, achieve more. I like to think I am happy in either case.
oh very good points!!! I love that verse too. We have lived in so many states. The KJV says “to be content in whatever state I am in” so we always laughed about that. I have been content in AR, MO, OK, & TX….well….not so much TX! lol!
Haha! Never thought of it that way! I have found contentment in NV, OR, OH, & AR – and have always dodged TX:)
You are one smart cookie!
🙂 You too
“Changing the picture” wouldn’t necessarily mean giving in to mediocrity. Sometimes, we stick to a picture that we developed through our childhood but isn’t really valid any more. Maybe you’ve outgrown the picture you had and changing it would allow you to feel more grateful and happy on a daily basis?
I think you are right. It’s so easy to be “set” and not want to change. Even when it is better for you!
You’re not giving yourself enough credit! Easier said than done, I know…but sometimes our paths take on a life of their own, right?
that they DO! 🙂
In the end we make ourselves into what we really want to be.
we try, don’t we???!!! 🙂
I think a lot of times we don’t realize how blessed we are and that there are so many people who trade lives with us in a heartbeat, without a second thought. 97% of the world would see north americans as millionaires. My bathroom is the size of most family homes in the rest of the world. I have had some struggles for sure, but for the most part I do not have to continually think about where my next meal is coming from or where I will sleep tonight.
Blessed indeed. Wonderful view ~
I think that we’re always striving for better and happier; that’s what makes life worth living. If we just sit back on our laurels, we’re in danger of stagnating. As long as we always remember to be grateful, blessings will come to us. 🙂
Be grateful and pay it forward…for sure ~
Happy is good. If you can make a difference to someone or the world along the way, it can also be even more fulfilling. I have no doubt you do that, Paula.
Thanks Naomi. I certainly hope to do that ~ ♥
As we all know, acquiring “things” don’t make us happy. I’ve never seen a U-Haul behind a Hearse, have you? What you have stuffed in your closets will probably go to the GoodWill store at some point. I think we all are happier than we believe we are. Good health is taken for granted, until you don’t have it any more. Learning to let go of old grudges and learning to forgive, is a big happiness spreader. We all have the ability to “change that picture” every day. Thanks for bringing this to mind, Paula.
As always….a wonderful insight, Ms. Delores ♥
You have been nominated for the Liebster Award. To learn about the rules for this award, please go to http://changeforbetterme.wordpress.com/. Congrats!
Thanks so much~ 🙂
You’re welcome! 🙂
I really do think sometimes we try too hard. And in the trying, maybe we’re missing out on the happiness of the day. Every day that my family is healthy is an excellent day…and that’s all I need. Anything else is the whipped cream with the cherry on top! But it’s still okay to dream. Just don’t work at it! 🙂 Debra
You are right….and I love the analogy….”the whipped cream with the cherry on top”….perfect! 🙂 Thanks Debra!
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Diana sent me – love your blog!
Diana is a sweetheart….thanks so much for the visit!! 🙂 paula
Diana sent me 🙂
And, I visited a nutritionist for the first time yesterday and she suggested that I find ways to ‘reward’ myself — instead of beating myself up for not being perfect, or not accepting the things I do that make a difference.
It was a novel idea — to ‘reward’ myself with mini-breaks during the day, or simply to appreciate where I’m at, without constantly striving to do more, be more, create more. 🙂
Love your blog.
What a uniqued idea from your nutritionist! To reward yourself. Who does that? Great thoughts to process!
Diana is a doll for sending you my way. Thanks so much for the visit. I visited you blog and got lost in it. (In a GOOD way!) Awesomeness. ♥
Embrace happiness and you will vibrate into the Universe and cause love and happiness, if even for a moment to everyone you come in contact with. Be grateful for every moment of happiness.
Appreciate the visit and your sweet words ♥ paula
At 52, the picture on my TV is in black and white; and thank God for remotes because my fat butt can’t get up and change channels no more. 🙂
You are a young en still…same age as me. But agree about the remotes!!! 🙂