creativity

If you’re unhappy where you are, chances are you’ll be unhappy wherever you go. It’s a fact. Happiness comes from within. Often times it’s a matter of changing an attitude toward what’s in front of us. We may be unhappy at work, yet, if we were watching our worksite on reality TV we might be laughing. This morning a country western song (is there any other type of song in Texas? LOL) where the singer spoke about a baby boy crying with a fury showing he was ready to take on the world. Happiness comes from within and is filtered through our attitudes and the way we look at world. If you’re happy now, chances you’ll be happy tomorrow.

Each day is an open book. We may have plans, checklists, and goals set for the day. Sometimes, the day listens to us and lets us think we’re in control. Other times, the day laughs at us and lets us know we were never in charge. Our day is filled with interruptions, unexpected events, and all sorts of upheaval. However our day plays out, we can make the most of every moment whether we intended the moment or not. 

One of my earliest memories is my mom taking me to library and getting me a library card. I’ve been a friend of libraries and books since that moment. I read for ideas, knowledge, and entertainment. The more I read, the more I learn about others and myself. I have my favorite genres and authors. I’m always on the hunt for something new. The more we read, the more we become connected and the more we have our set ways of thinking challenged.

Life seems to continually offer us a choice, give up or keep on going. There is no place to hide from life’s choice. Life seeks us out and asks, do you have the courage to keep fighting? Do you have the courage to push on through the pain? Do you have the courage to face another sunrise. When we say yes, yes, and yes, life smiles on us and we get a respite in a springtime mountain valley.  Don’t quit. Don’t ever give up. 

Don’t let criticism knock you down. Similarly, don’t let praise inflate your ego. When we take another’s criticism or praise too seriously we cede control to that person. When we cede control, we exchange our creative spirit for another’s direction. Be yourself. Trust yourself. 

Every once in a while, if we’re fortunate, we’ll meet someone who’s highly successful who freely passes along the secrets to be successful. We don’t have to ask him or her to tell us the secrets. They offer them to us on a clean plate.  If we’re wise, we listen and apply them. We’re grateful. And, we do the same thing for others when it’s our turn. 

Turn off the music. Turn off the computer. Set the smart phone to do not disturb. Dare to be alone with your thoughts. Dare to be alone in the silence. It takes courage to walk in the silence. Once you become comfortable walking in the silence, you’ll discover the amazing and wonderful person you’ve always been.