Terry Paul Choyce
June 8, 2008, Brunswick Street United Church
This is the time of year when everything is green and growing, and with the warmth of the sun and the longer days, we all feel a bit of rejuvenation happening. A friend of mine recently sent me a list of 40 things I can do to feel even better about about life. I'm not going to share all 40 of them with you, but some of them are really important to keep us feeling good about our lives.
Number 1 is "Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy." Empathy is really important for us to have healthy relationships , and to understand some of the difficulties people live with. Enthusiasm is priceless, since it helps us to enjoy all aspects of our lives. And for some of us, energy is in short supply at times, but if we use what we have to being of service to others, and enjoying the present, we will be happy.
Another is to "Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6." We can learn so much from the wisdom and life experience of older people, and from the wonder and exuberance of children. We are never too old to play and laugh and be silly. Even at 90 there is an inner child in us that needs to have fun. And as we heard in our New Testament lesson today from Matthew 19:14, Jesus said "Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
I like this one. "Try to make at least three people smile each day." When the people around us are happy, we are happy. Smiling is contagious, and you should carry the smiling germ with you, and give it to everyone you know.
"Don't waste your precious energy on negative thoughts or things you cannot control." Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. Our thoughts control our moods, and our moods affect our interactions with others. And our thoughts and moods eventually affect our health. It has been proven that people who think negatively and complain alot end up with severe physical and/or psychological problems. We all at times have problems and illnesses, but we have to try as hard as we can to put a positive spin on them, and to keep our spirts high.
"Life is too short to waste time hating anyone" and "Forgive everyone for everything." These two can be extremely hard at times. When we have been wronged, or someone we love has had an injustice done to them, it is human nature to feel extreme anger, and even hatred. My belief about this is to feel that anger, try your best to understand why the other person did what they did, have compassion, forgive them, and let the emotional hurt go. Often we need the help of our faith to do this. Jesus, when painfully dying on the cross, said "forgive them for they know not what they do." Ours is a God of love, and while anger and hatred are part of human emotions, our souls long for love and compassion. As Christians, we strive to love and forgive.
"No one is in charge of your happiness except you." No one can make you happy. It is an internal condition based on your thoughts and actions. My daughter who is working in an aids orphanage in South Africa talks about the joy she sees in the people who are living in atrocious poverty . But they delight in the small things that bring them joy. I have friends who live in a mansion and drive a new BMW, who are mostly miserable. It is not what you have that will make you happy. It is how you think and how you open your heart to others and to the simple pleasures in life that will determine your happiness. As we heard in our reading from Ecclesiastes 3:12 "So I realised that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive."
Saying this line will help with your happiness: 'In five years, will this matter?" Having perspective on your problems is very important. So much of what we get upset about or worry about is temporary and trivial. Try to look at the big picture of your life. Treat most of your problems like an annoyance, not a catastrophe. Solve your problems in a relaxed way.
"God loves everything." This is perhaps the most important statement in this list. God loves you. And God is compassionate and forgiving, so when you mess up, as all of us do, know that you can never anger God. Forgive yourself and try better the next time. Your faith will get you through all of your hard times. God is always with you.
"Each night before you go to bed complete the following statement: I am thankful for __________." Living with gratitude is one of the secrets of a happy and successful life. When you count your blessings instead of dwelling on your problems, your outlook on life completely changes. Your cup becomes full, not empty. Your attitude about everything improves. Give thanks, and give praise to God like the Psalmists did. Everyone single one of us has much to be thankful for.
I'm going to end with this poem by e.e. cummings:
I thank-you God for this most amazing day;
for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;
and for everything which is natural
which is infinite, which is YES!
©Terry Paul Choyce. Used with permission from the author.
