Just this past week I fractured and dislocated my Fibula. Needless to say, I felt very sorry for myself when I heard that I would not only have to have surgery, but also stay off my ankle for eight weeks. I wish I could at least have had a story that I was heli-skiing down the north face of Mt Everest. But, in truth, it was something far less adventurous. (Read: a nasty fall over my flip flops running to get the phone.)
Of course, December is not a great time to not be able to dance around the Christmas tree. But in speaking with others, a surprising number claim that the sweet silver bells all seem to say: Holidays, please go away. Now we’ve all had days when we get so overwhelmed that we don’t know whether to tear out our hair — or stick our heads in the oven. But sometimes this month brings out depression, rather than joy.
I was feeling particularly sorry for myself yesterday when I had to endure yet another day of elevating ‘toes above the nose’ as the doctor told me to do till my ankle started to heal. I just so happened to open a book and a paper fell out. It was something that my amazing and beautiful mother, Emily, an award winning fashion designer and syndicated beauty columnist had written before she had been diagnosed with the severe Alzheimer’s that would ultimately take her life. I would like to share parts of it with Intent readers. It may have been written many many years ago, but I’m sure you’ll find that it still holds true to this very day:
It is entitled: People Aren’t Born Happy.. They have to Work at It.
Emily writes that happiness and beauty go hand in hand; bitterness, hostility, anger and depression are the enemies of loveliness, while laughter, joy, contentment and peace are beauty’s best friends. My mother proposes that it would be wonderful if we could simply push a happiness button but that’s not reality. She says that if a happy disposition doesn’t come easily to you, conscientiously practice the art, just as you would a musical instrument.
My mom claims happiness is making the most of every second. She wonders why anyone would waste time on ridiculous petty quarrels and malicious gossip. She advocates enjoying life now and suggests that happiness is having a goal, and contentment comes from having an objective and ultimately realizing it.
She contends that happiness is believing in yourself, in spite of what others say and do. It is following what you think is right. She feels happiness is leaning to laugh about situations, even when the joke is on you and that you should try to find humor and wit in the things around you.
According to her, people respond positively to a happy personality. In her view, happiness is also reliving pleasant memories through reviewing old photographs, rereading a favorite book contacting a friend who you haven’t seen for years and laughing over old times.
Finally, happiness is enjoying the little pleasure in life — the first snowstorm, a log fire, a delicious meal, concluding you can’t start a malady in a happy body.
So in the spirit of the season, I send wishes for the happiest of holidays — from my mother and me.
PHOTO (cc): Flickr / ambako the Jaguar
This is so lovely – I 100% agree. Strive to be happy in this present moment. Don't waste a second with drama, darkness and bad energy. Life's too short. My intention is set: be happy now. Happy Happy Happy holidays!
Beautifully worded. Happiness is so simple.
Joy to Jane Michael.
I actually dedicated my website to my mom, Elsie. She like your mom was particularly tuned into the beautiful mindset of life in thought. I never knew before this posting that i was the "Better than before" alumna though. I guess i have to sit with that one for a while, in my mind, and bask in the gratitude to have had such a gentle expression of love that Elsie was for a Mom. I am sure your Mom is looking upon you with such pride that you would honour her with such warm loving thoughts. What more could a Mother ask for as a Christmas present. Merry Christmas right back at you. Joy to the world!
I just realized that I used the words Merry Christmas, in my closing salutations in my above posting. I should of written holiday seasons greetings I see, for a more respectful inclusion of everyone enjoying the holiday spirit and season. Im not completely to blame though, because I am watching out of the corner of my eye (whilst on the computer) the charlie brown christmas dvd that i bought today with the Vince Guaraldi – A Charlie Brown Christmas music, and with that I guess you clearly recognize I am in the spirit. So, just happy holidays & seaons greetings to you and all I share this posting with and happy new year too, 2012! rc