Key Ingredients To Have A Happy Life!
These are the key ingredients to a happy life. At least that is what I have found in recent months. In light of how my life has gone lately, I had to sit back and evaluate some things. It is so easy to put up a wall, to judge others, to put others down so that you make yourself feel better. To always compete with yourself and others.
One thing we forget is that we are not the only people on this planet. We are surrounded by people from all walks of life daily. It is essential to look at life from a different perspective sometimes. One main thing I have noticed lately is that perception is a tricky thing.
I will self admit that I am a stubborn person who loves to put walls up. I want to strive my hardest to prove I am enough. That I can conquer the world while holding everything in and not allowing any of my weaknesses to show. But, what I have learned lately is that putting those walls up and closing myself off makes me lose out on some incredible experiences.
I recently moved to South Florida. This was the first time I moved from home. My small town of Morriston is all I have known for the majority of my life. I was excited about the change. I had played, raised my children, and walked those dirt roads most of my life. I will always cherish those memories, and I really wouldn’t want it to have been any other way, but I was very excited to try something new.
During a flight back to Ocala from Fort Myers for work a few weeks back, the pilot and co-pilot were looking out after taking off in Ocala, and they could not stop talking about how beautiful the horse country was. How they wished they had fields all around and dirt roads to drive down. That got me to thinking. Here I am excited to leave this comfort zone that I have had for so many years, and here are two gentlemen from South Florida, where open land is sparse, who wish to know that lifestyle. It is all perception and perspective. If you just look at things differently, it could change the whole view. For years I looked at their town thinking I wish I could live in a big city and see how it goes. Now I am living out that dream.
One of my favorite stories to share is the meeting of Mike. Living in Cape Harbour, there is music every few nights. One night me my daughter and Wayne were downstairs listening to a band. Mackenzie and I went to look at some of the shops for a bit. When we came back, there was someone else at our table. No worries,, I said hello and joined them. My first impression was that he had one too many drinks. But I thought no worries and joined in on the conversation. Who am I to judge. Well, my life has been changed since meeting Mike. He is an incredible human. He makes the world a better place. He is so happy every time I see him. Mike was a very successful businessman in another state. He was minding his own business one day when he was robbed and shot in the head. He Survived! God had a plan for him. He was in a coma for two months, and when he woke up, he was unable to walk, talk, and had many more obstacles to overcome. He has fought hard; he never gave up. He is so free-spirited living life on his sailboat. Each time we spend the evening with Mike, he reminds me how important it is to be happy and thankful for each and every moment we are given. Life is not promised, and we must make the most of it. The part that gets me is the other guest, waitresses at the restaurant, and those just passing by, pass judgment about Mike. Their perspective is that he is drunk. They do not even take a moment to speak to him. But what encourages me is that he doesn’t care. He just lives his life for himself and that’s it. I strive for that liberating feeling. I am still a work in progress in that department.
The biggest lesson I am learning is that you can live a happier life if you just live life to the fullest. Stop making assumptions. Stop judging a book by its cover. Just because you think the perception of someone is one thing does not make it accurate. Stop and smile at someone, talk to them, and give them a fighting chance before deciding how you perceive them. We must love more. Let go of hate. Let go of fear. Let go of the Past. Live in the moment and embrace it with LOVE!