BLOG 205—Happiness vs Misery

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life.
I want to inspire you to see life in a different and/or better way.

*** To read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** If you are not my Facebook friend yet, please, befriend me.
*** Thanks to my wife, Beth, for editing and adding to each weekly blog.
*** I was hit by two different trucks, one involving a 37-day coma.
*** The happiness I am experiencing in my life is a marvelous thing!
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** Secrets to unfold and good news!

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK >> Joy as opposed to sadness.

A constant choice, to be happy and joyful, or sad and miserable.

I have to admit, at times, I have been quite down, but then I remembered that I was the one to decide how I felt.

The good
Myself >>
>>From the joys of, in high school, pole vaulting over 18’6”, a record, to
>>Getting first place on “The Gong Show.” A national show like “Americas Got Talent”, to
>>Excelling at juggling and keeping up 7 clubs, a record, to
>>Getting booked as a featured performer at Ballys in Atlantic City, to
>>Recovering from a 37-day day coma, to
>>Writing and self-publishing, Juggling with Finesse, over 25,000 sold, to
>>Traveling the country, inspiring as I go, to
>>One year ago, I met and married Beth, and we are very happy together, to
>>Keeping moving forward with a smile on my face.

The bad
Myself >>
>>At the height of my juggling career, being hit by a truck and going through a 37-day coma, to
>>Because of brain injury, losing my ability to juggle, to
>>Having an accident while mountain biking, injuring my back in two places, to
>>A guy was helping me to publish “Juggling with Finesse”; he scammed me out of much money, to
>>Hit by a second truck, much of my body broken, to
>>Knowing that these bad things that happen are temporary and life will go on.

The good
Yes, I have found that being joyful is a choice.
Always make the right choice of happiness.

The bad
Keeping a sad face will make you depressed, don’t do it.

The good
You can boost your happiness by focusing on positive things and reducing negative thoughts. This week, follow every negative thought with a positive one. This practice will help to retrain your habitual thought patterns to bring more positive thoughts into your life. Remember, a choice; you control what you think.

The bad
Misery has many aspects to it. While there can be a positive spin on misery as an emotion, the same cannot be said of miserable people, even though, ironically, they are the ones who bring on their emotions of misery.

The good
Being positive will improve your relationships: People like being around happy people (you?) Happier people give more to others. Joyful people are also more productive: You produce more when in a positive mood.

The bad
Misery is a part of human life, like other emotions. While no one wants misery to make a permanent place in their heart, in a way, it is something that we all need from time to time to gain a little perspective and to appreciate all that we have that is good.

The good
There are many physical health benefits surrounding happiness, including>>
A more robust immune system.
A stronger resilience in the face of stress.
A stronger heart.
Less risk of cardiovascular disease.
Happiness predicts greater longevity! Yes – happier people live longer!
It can enhance your productivity: You produce more when in a positive mood.
It can promote better health behaviors: Happier people take better care of themselves.

The bad
Misery is simply an emotion that everyone has experienced at some point or the other, but rarely does one think of the varied meanings that it holds within itself. We go through it, then we must move forward again with a smile on our face.

The good
Being positive can promote better health behaviors. Happier people exercise more, which can lead to better immune functioning. Also, happier people are more resistant to colds and experience faster injury healing. Being joyful will add so many good things to your life.

The bad
Misery is as much a part of life as other emotions we feel. While no one wants misery and sadness to have a permanent residence in their heart, at times, we must go through misery to gain a little perspective and appreciate all we have.

The good
Being positive can improve your relationships.
People like being around happy people.
Happiness will give you a better life! Guaranteed! (but not a money-back guarantee.)
Happier people give more to others.

What new stories are you ready to write?

********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>
Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

I find them so interesting, challenging, and essential on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves and others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas give us a quick and timely burst of wisdom to get our focus back, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion.

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

How you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible for you, determines everything that happens in your life. It all derives from your quality of thinking.

When you improve the quality of your thinking,
you change the quality of your life—sometimes instantly!

Just as positive words can make someone smile, and/or a well-timed amusing quote can make someone laugh, your thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

You have complete control over only one thing in the universe — Your Thinking — and that’s where motivational quotes come in!

To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!

Self-talk is so essential—THINK RIGHT!
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!
Don’t forget that you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
REMEMBER, VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

********************
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>
“Happiness depends upon each of us.” ― Kit Summers
“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. ― Ashley Montagu
“Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it.” — Jacques Prevert
“A little misery, at times, makes one appreciate happiness more.” ― L. Frank Baum
“There is always more misery among the lower classes than there is humanity in the higher.” ― Victor Hugo
“Nothing is miserable unless you think it so; and on the other hand, nothing brings happiness unless you are content with it.” ― Boethius
“I’ve learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition and not on our circumstances.” ― Martha Washington
“There is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the time when we were happy.” ― Dante Alighieri
“People label themselves with all sorts of adjectives. I can only pronounce myself as ‘nauseatingly miserable beyond repair’.” ― Franz Kafka

COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
And time seems to be going faster all the time.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Do this for a few weeks, and you will see your time differently.

1/21—Continuing to prepare the garden. Our collection of seeds is getting bigger. I will be planting the seeds soon, then, after there is enough growth, I will transfer the small plants to the garden.

1/22—Already starting on this blog for you. I often put it off until the time gets toward Friday. I will be starting today and working every day on words. Good to have much of the blog already written; hope you are enjoying reading my words.

1/23—Today, Beth received the book she ordered for us, written by our friend, Mea Stones’ friend, Chris McLaughlin. Now Beth wants a Hori Hori gardening knife. Thank you, Chris McLaughlin, for suggesting another tool for my wife to do harm! We recommend that you buy this book.

This an excellent book; if you take up gardening, you need this book.

1/24—Jemma, our dog, is modeling a hat my wife made for our friend, Nancy. Another hat attempt was made but did not turn out quite the way Beth had hoped. She now has a bag to hold her extra yarn. At the Summers’ house, we aim to learn new things!

1/25—Beth and I took a walk, with Jemma, of course. Out to the wilderness behind the house, looking for wood, we could use to fuel the fire. It turns out, when a tree or branch dies, it quickly reverts to dirt again. We did not find much we could put into the fire.

1/26—Off I went to the dentist I found who is down in Augusta, Georgia. Quite a drive from here, but they do excellent work for a low price. Don’t get stuck with an expensive dentist, they are so many out there; find another for a better price if you need one.

While down there, I stopped by for my weekly trip to Costco to pick up some things we need. Yes, we are stocking up on food and other necessities. Things are changing in the world, getting more expensive and harder to get. You must prepare.

I was gone most of the day. When I got home, Beth said she missed me so very much. She said that in the old days, when she was living alone, she had no problems being by herself. Our lives have changed–for the better.

1/27—Stayed around the house today and worked on one of the rabbit hutches, making a better home for the little critter. I could make a better home for you, too, should I stop by?

Is it time to “make” things happen and live a fuller life?
“Make” a great week for yourself.

******************
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK > >
Do you use a mouth covering (mask)?
I only wear one when it is mandatory.
Your mouth is hidden; no one can see your mouth.
SO I >>
Smile at some people.
Stick my tongue out at various people who deserve it.
I play games with my hidden mouth.
Try it; you will have fun!

Do something new, daily, then keep doing it for the rest of your life.

*******************
NEXT BLOG
I just got my planting mix for seeds, (ie. dirt), and they will go in in the next few days. You will learn of my planting. Have you started your garden yet? It is necessary, to start today.
*******************

THIS WEEK,
MAKE YOUR LIFE
SOMETHING
THAT YOU CAN
WRITE ABOUT!