The Path to Happiness
“The path to happiness is forgiveness of everyone and gratitude for everything.”
-Jonathan Lockwood Huie
“The path to happiness is forgiveness of everyone and gratitude for everything.”
-Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Why is it that we care so much about what others think about us? Why is it that even if we don’t respect someone else that our feelings are still hurt when they don’t like us? Why is it that we can’t focus only on those in our lives that like us for who we are instead of wasting our emotions and energy on people that don’t really matter?

Photo: Gay Mayer
I so want everyone to love me!
Heck, I would love it if most people even simply liked me. Alas, that is not how the world works.
I have strong opinions and emotions that keep me from being able to simply blend in with those around me. I don’t mean to be different or not completely accepting of people as I try my best to accept people for who they are. The problem seems to be that I may be able to accept others for who they are but not agree with or understand their choices. And, as I, evidently, wear my feelings on my sleeve no matter how hard I try not to (and I have been trying ALL my life!), people think that I don’t like them instead of it being the fact that I don’t understand or simply disagree with their choices or views on life. If I simply don’t know the person yet, my insecurities seem to cause them to think negatively of me.
No matter what the reason for someone not liking me, it still hurts. It doesn’t matter how old I get, inside I am that insecure teenager who longs to fit in and be liked. I wish that I could figure out how to make a better impression upon people so that they would take the time to get to know the real me!
As I strive to be more accepting and open to others, I hope that my imperfections don’t overshadow what I have to share in a friendship. I thank God every day for the wonderful people that He has brought into my life who love me and accept me for who I am. It is for those people that I strive to be an even better friend for they are some of the biggest blessings in my life!
Do you ever feel lost in your own head?
That is how I feel.
It doesn’t matter which way I turn, I seem to run into a dead end.
I can’t seem to find my way home.
A map wouldn’t help me navigate as you must first know where you are in in order to plot your coarse with such a tool.
Sure wish they made a GPS for your mind!
Photo: Giampaolo Macorig
As the day unfolds before us, we have but two choices:
Rejoice in the blessings that we have received or wallow in self-pity.
I choose the former. Life is too precious to be wasted on the “should-av’s” in life.
WHY is it that we spend so much time worrying about other people???
WHY are we so concerned the choices that others make that have nothing to do with us?
WHY should we be upset about how they are acting, what they are doing with their time, or how they are spending their money?
WHY can’t we just accept others for who they are and support each other as best we can?
If I don’t make the decision to enjoy what God has given me but instead complain about what I am lacking, I am foolish.
If I deplete my energy being a busybody, how has that served me or my family?
As every moment on Earth is a wonderful blessing from God, I am going to try my best to focus on my blessings and be supportive to those around me.
“People with great gifts are easy to find, but symmetrical and balanced ones never.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson