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WHY is it that some persons are generally happy while
others can hardly enjoy the sunshine? Why is it that some keep
smiling day in and day out even when things do not go their way
while others who have so much seen to struggle to gain a measure of
happiness?
I have worked among the very
rich, the very poor and those in between, and I have found both
kinds of people everywhere. There are those among the rich, the
middle class and the poor who enjoy life and feel that they are the
fortunate ones. Then there are the miserable ones in the same
groups.
It isn’t, as we all know, money
and material things that make us happy, although they certainly
help. But neither does poverty cause people to despair. My wife was
born in a nipa hut and had a reasonably happy childhood until a
major tragedy struck. By American standards, my family did not have
very much, yet I can say that I was a happy kid. Perhaps happier
than most. Even if I had to work seven days a week on our farm and
had less play time than most kids, I can remember that I still had
lots of fun with the little that I had and would not want to
exchange places with anybody.
Marcus Aurelius wrote, “The
happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.”
Perhaps that is why I remained happy as a child and during the 13
long and difficult years of seminary life. Perhaps that is why I was
so happy working among the poor barrio people in Isabela province.
Maybe that is why I refuse to retire and instead work six days a
week at our Nazareth Formation House.
When you like what you are doing,
there is joy. When your mind is at peace; when you remain excited
and challenged by what is going on around you, then you are happy.
Happiness is not a place. Nor is
it a big house or a fat bank account. It is a state of mind.
Happiness is born in your head. That is where it is nurtured. It is
also where it is lost.
When you allow, yes allow,
adversity even pain, to overwhelm the happiness you have in your
head, you become sad, angry and envious. When all sorts of negatives
rule your mind, you cannot be happy.
Just as happiness is a state of
mind, so too is sadness, loneliness and anger. What is important is
to understand that, as Marcus Aurelius said, “The happiness of
your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.”
You need to guard your mind and
constantly work to stay positive especially when the negatives
threaten to overwhelm you.
If you have problems about
drugs, alcohol and behavior/attitude call my office at 820-6107 or
825-1771 or e-mail me at gvcbuenca@vasia.com or write me at P.O. Box
2099 MCPO, Makati City.
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