Sunday, June 26, 2011

Not in a time to come

Never, in peace or war, commit your virtue or your happiness to the future. Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment “as to the Lord.”
(CS Lewis, Weight of Glory)

Friday, June 3, 2011

Granting happiness.

Somehow, something that eats at my happiness is rugby at Loftus Versfeld.

Loftus is the home stadium of the Blue Bulls. It’s just down the orad from where I live. When there is a match on, and I have to drive through the masses of cars and ‘freelance parking assistants’ and pedestrians, I immediately feel very annoyed and aggressive.

This does not happen every day, of course, and most of the time it has no effect on me. But when I do get mixed up in it, I get annoyed.

I’m not a rugby fan, and much less a Bulls supporter, which doesn’t help. But why can’t I relax and join the people in their enjoyment?

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Maintain

In the 2011 Happiness Challenge, the theme for the month is Resolutions, and the last video suggested that we select a one-word theme for the year.

I watched the video, but at the time I didn’t think much about it.

This morning, I had a happiness-reducing experience, and the theme for this year floated into my mind: “Maintain”

If things work out as planned, this is going to be a busy, busy year. If I don’t maintain, next year, which might be even worse, will start with a deficit.

Maintain does not imply that there will not be growth, but that the growth will build on a well-maintained environment.