best of times, it was the worst of times." Truly, these are
the best (and the worst) of times. The Good News is that
you get to choose!
Watching television indicates these are clearly the worst
of times. Economic stagnation threatens our homes, our
jobs, our retirement, and Europe. Our health is threatened
by a new flu from China, just when our system is adapting
to "Obamacare." There are reports that nerve gas has been
used in Syria, there's Iran and North Korea to ponder, and
we all know about the bombings in Boston. "They" say global
warming is going to drown us all--unless an asteroid strikes
and blows us up first. And perhaps worst of all, the FAA
has furloughed air traffic controllers, so our flights are
even later than usual. Folks, things are really, really
bad!
Or not. My tomatoes (and my crab grass) are coming up right
on schedule, there's food in my pantry, my truck is full of
gas, my neighbours and my clients still seem to like me, and
Mary hasn't left me (yet). My dog is at my feet, the sun is
shining and robins are singing in the trees. I just enjoyed
a great cigar and a good book. Surely, this must be the
best of times????
Who’s to decide?
Here’s the nugget: YOU DO!
This week I read one of Dean Koontz' recent books, Odd
Hours. Koontz is a prolific writer with a delightfully
twisted perspective and his hero, a guy named Odd Thomas
(who sees dead people), avoids "contemporary TV,
contemporary politics, contemporary art: all too frantic,
fevered, and frivolous, or else angry, bitter." Apparently,
when your job as a short-order cook is frequently
interrupted by the spirits of dead people needing help,
life is complicated enough without watching the news.
While Koontz' whimsical perspective is fun, it contains
much truth. If a fry cook's life is too complex to tolerate
the news, how about yours (and mine)?
I've been struck, and troubled, by what President Carter
once called a spirit of "malaise." I can't speak for the
nation, much less the world, but I can report that I've had
too many conversations with folks who are worried, anxious,
distracted and fearful. Even my spam has turned negative!
Instead of telling me I've inherited millions from an
unknown relative, now I get warnings about the flu or
promising help with my debts! When spam turns negative, I
know the world is going to hell in a hand-basket.
Don't you believe it! I once heard the Dalai Lama say that
the basic desire of all human beings is to "be happy." We
long for peace, contentment, satisfaction, love and
happiness, and the truth is, it's all around us.
In many of his programs and presentations, Tony Robbins
talks about people who say the one thing they want is peace
of mind, even while they live hectic lives that leave no
room for a peaceful moment, much less peace of mind. He
points out that peace of mind is available any time we want
it. Soak in a hot-tub, take a walk, read some poetry,
meditate or pray. Peace of mind is available, but not while
watching the news or arguing with the kids.
I suggest that happiness largely results from an attitude
of gratitude. These truly are the best of times if we
choose to make them so. Most IMPACT readers are healthy. We
are educated. We have friends, and opportunity is all
around us. We are, by any reasonable standard, wealthy. We
can travel, or read the best books ever written. We can
start businesses, learn new languages or other skills. We
can change our minds, and our lives.
This week, as an experiment, turn off the news and have a
conversation. Instead of television, turn on Mozart,
Beethoven, or Streisand. Worry less, laugh more, and take a
nap! Leave work early and invite a friend to dinner, play
catch with your kids or walk the dog. Give thanks for the
roof over your head and a soft bed at night. Pass out some
balloons at the local hospital. I think you'll find your
life is richer and much better. You may even find yourself
being happy and feeling good!
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