Blog 1991 – 03.08.2021

If You’re Happy and You Know It

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AuqANp-WQpH2K3V_2sTAquQDn_EPZWlD/view?usp=drivesdk

If You’re Happy and You Know It

Today’s musical treat is one of my favorites, the pursuit and expression of happiness being in my mind not just a childish but very adult endeavor. We’re all here to be surprised by joy and happiness around every corner. To quote some of Abraham Lincoln’s last words to his dear wife, “ We have, the both of us, been miserable too long, we need to try harder to be happy.”

Not just the Lincolns, but many people find themselves in that downward spiral that ends in utter depression. I suggest as the crazy anchor man in the old movie Network did that it is high time we got angry and stuck our heads out the window and shouted, “I’m mad as (well) and I’m not going to take anymore.” Anger they say is indeed a step up the latter from depression. Climb higher up, all the way to the top where rapture resides.

We were all once children at play with no other thought on our minds than having fun. It seems like so many of us have forgotten just how to do that. But as the saying goes, “It’s just like riding a bike.” Once we thrilled at achieving the correct speed and balance to stay upright and enjoy the ride even to letting go the handle bars and shouting at the top of our lungs, “Look, Ma, no hands.”

Shame on us for letting ourself forget how easy it is to be happy. It frankly takes a lot less effort than staying angry and unhappy all the time. I saw a Teddy Roosevelt quote recently that went, “To complain about a problem without offering a solution is just whining.” And how depressing is that. Let’s get back up on that bike and go for a ride. It always makes me feel young again and happy. Most mornings immediately after casting one of these love notes in a bottle out to sea I take myself a little spin around the neighborhood wherever I am. Not a biker yourself, how about a nice walk? It is a great way to start a new day by reminding ourselves, “Life is meant to be good.” So let’s get moving, it is so much easier to maintain our balance that way.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David White

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5UGucaz8iwNeVNKTWwxQ2lXaDg/view?usp=drivesdk

Amarillo By Morning

Busting broncs, riding bikes, or just taking your puppies for a walk, put on a happy face, and start each new day doing something fun. But, I warn you, it can be habit forming. I have heard it only takes twenty-one days to make a new habit. Old ones can be recovered even quicker. What are you smiling about, you ole Cheshire Cat, you?