Sunday, June 29, 2008

Psalming-Off

I don't know, but I think Myfanwy (Myfanwy the reader, not Myfanwe My Woman) seems, by pulling out "I lift mine eyes unto the Mountains" (sorry for the King James speak) to have challenged me to a Psalm-Off.

So next I am going to pull out one of my oldies, but goodies. (The emphasis and comments are mine.)

THIS is the day that the Lord has made. [Not yesterday, not tomorrow. Today. Got that? Now LIVE it.]
Let us rejoice and be glad. [You think you've got it bad? You oughtta shut up and put on your party face. There are people dying in Zimbabwe just 'cuz they voted.)
Give thanks to the Lord, for G-d is good, [Damn good, actually.]
And His mercies endure forever. [We could be looking at a third Bush term. THAT's merciful.]

Yes, my friends. This is the day.

My Myfanwe and I saw the Sex in the City movie today. One of the characters asks "How often are you happy?" And Charlotte, never my favorite, says "Every day....Maybe not all day, every day, but I'm happy every day." And I thought, "Good for you, Lottie. Not many women in your shoes would have the guts to say it."

I think it is easier to be miserable. It doesn't take nearly the emotional discipline to be miserable that it does to be happy. And it certainly requires less introspection and less honesty.

I'm not saying that everyone should be happy all the time. And I'm not saying that things don't happen to bring profound sadness for long periods of time. I'm saying that, with a little more work and a little more thought and a little less self-involvement, happiness isn't out of reach. And, while requiring a little more effort to achieve and sustain, happiness really kicks misery's ass.

Have a good day, friends. This is, after all, the day.

8 comments:

soxanne said...

Amen

Leslie said...

And say AMEN again!

Angie said...

Very well put. Thank you for putting it so eloquently. I feel a rant coming on so I'll leave it at that.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm... How true! I have a coworker who is what I would call "toxic". Even when she's excited about something, she finds a way to be miserable about it.

I never could figure that out. What I DID figure out was a way to move my desk so that I don't hear about it all day long and I have to say - it's just what the doctor ordered. I feel better, already!

Here's to hoping that YOU have a good day. Oh, and Happy Canada Day (I know, I know...but I figured it's like saying "Happy Channukah" to a Catholic - who cares if you don't practice, it's still a nice thought).

Danielle

Lynda said...

Thank you for reminding me of the joy of just being alive! Praise the Lord and pass the amunition!

Anonymous said...

back in the day, I was a miserable so-and-so.

then I got some therapy.

and I found out that people like you much better when you are cheerful.

"poor poor pitiful me" doesn't cut it - they drag you down with their negative energy. I avoid such individuals like the seven plagues.

Chicago Jen said...

May I use your statement:
"It doesn't take nearly the emotional discipline to be miserable that it does to be happy. And it certainly requires less introspection and less honesty." ?
I think it speaks perfectly to my life and it is beautiful and brave to take such an open stand.

Amen to the lot!

Aidan said...

Jen: Fell free!