Putting perspective on life

[widgeon13]

I happened to watch CBS Sunday Morning news this past Sunday and caught a commentary by Joel Sartore. He is a professional photographer for National Geographic. He lives in Nebraska. I had never heard of him but his story is very moving and in such contrast to what we see and hear in the normal nightly news.

It put things in the proper perspective for me. I wrote him a brief email with my comments and he was kind enough to reply. He indicated CBS had posted the commentary on the web so I thought I'd place the link here for others to appreciate.

I know I will try to take his message to heart.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/23/sunday/main2115594.shtml

[livi]

That covers my personal mantra. I see suffering from serious, chronic disease every day at work. To make it even worse its children. I repeatedly try to put myself in the families life situations in order for me to be able to better appreciate how lucky I am - or ought to be.

Unfortunately, the human design does not seem to grade the level of suffering in comparison to how we feel. If we donīt suffer from a deadly disease, we complain about the spouse. If we have a loving spouse, we complain about the economy. If we have enough money, we complain about our work load. If we are happy with our work, we complain about the weather. And so on.

No matter how good a life we lead, we always seem to find something to ruin the good feeling with. Obscuring the wonders of each and every day.

I should be happy every day leaving work. Recognizing I am blessed. Instead I frequently feel miserable for one reason or several. Sad really.

[89911]

I respect your compassion, Markus. Maybe its my age (45), the fact that my kids (14,10,7, and another soon) are growing up, or just the circumstances surrounding me, but I feel so fortunate everyday. Some need a crisis to bring them back to what is important. It is too easy to go about you daily business, playing whatever "role" you have chosen for your life. That was my life from about age 25-40. It's not all our own faults. Everything is the US is geared to equating having money and possession of material good with being happy. I've found surrounding yourself with love ones has been my most rewarding accomplishment to date. Because, in the end, what else do you really have? Hopefully this will happen for you. (Sorry to sound perhaps too deep, I'm usually posting one sentence, sarcastic comments.)

[widgeon13]

I didn't mean for the posting to be depressing. From my own prespective, I'm just trying to make some small changes in my attitude and go a little more in the positive direction. Probably spend less time here (PPOT) as well, this IS depressing.

Heck, I'ts sunny here in New England, just took the pcar out for a spin and coffee Starbucks, now have to do some work.

Life is good!

[wludavid]

Markus, I agree. I think that's true for two reasons - (1) even people who are generally happy need something 'bad' in their lives in order to have contrast with the good things; (2) Successful, happy people get that way because they're ambitious. If we didn't have something that we didn't like (ie, wanted to improve) we wouldn't have gotten as far as we have.

Happiness, to me, is striking a balance between what you have and what you desire - and then finding a way to get to what you desire.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by livi
...Unfortunately, the human design does not seem to grade the level of suffering in comparison to how we feel. If we donīt suffer from a deadly disease, we complain about the spouse. If we have a loving spouse, we complain about the economy. If we have enough money, we complain about our work load. If we are happy with our work, we complain about the weather. And so on.

No matter how good a life we lead, we always seem to find something to ruin the good feeling with. Obscuring the wonders of each and every day.

Personally, I think you're right on with this observation. I am one of those people that frets. I wish I didn't and I try not to. So what I have resolved to do is the best I can with the information I have at the time....always. Sometimes I succeed, many times I do not.

I keep telling myself like Jim Morrison said, "Nobody gets out of here alive". Better make the best use of it. It ain't a dress rehearsal.

I did this when I went through my divorce after 20 years of (I thought) happy marriage. I printed out a sign and put it on my office wall. It said, "I am having a WONDERFUL day!" Of course every day then was absolutely miserable. I was near tears for a long time. I'd see that sign and think how goddamned stupid it was and the ridiculousness of it would make me smile. There! it made me smile, and my day got just SLIGHTLY more bearable... until the next day. It worked for me.

[89911]

Having a sense of humour never hurts also!