Happiness – Page 2 – SeasonedSistah

Handbook for Life

While purging files last week, trying to declutter my office space; I, came across the Handbook for Life (author unknown). A breast cancer support group friend sent it to me several years ago.

Rather than filing this document again and sending it back into hiding for another two years, remaining unseen until the next filing purge, I chose to share the 39 tips in this post.

After the last tip, I give an honest assessment of where My Life is in relation to the four categories presented in the handbook: (1) Health, (2) Personality, (3) Society, and (4) Life.

Handbook for Life

Health

Drink plenty of water.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
Eat more food that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
Make time to pray.
Play more games.
Read more books than you did last year.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day — Meditate.
Sleep for at least 7 hours.
Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality

Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Don’t overdo it. Keep your limits.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
Dream more while you are awake.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. PROBLEMS ARE SIMPLY PART OF THE CURRICULUM THAT APPEAR AND FADE AWAY LIKE ALGEBRA CLASS BUT THE LESSONS YOU LEARN WILL LAST A LIFETIME.
Smile and laugh more.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society

Call your family often.
Each day give something good to others.
Forgive everyone of everything.
Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
Try to make a least three people smile each day.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life

Do the right thing!
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
God heals everything.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
The best is yet to come.
When you awake in the morning, Thank God for it.
Your Inner Most is always happy. So be happy.

My Life in Relation to the 39 Healthy Living Tips

Of the 10 tips related to Health, I gave a positive response to 8 out of 10.

I didn’t fare as well with Personality, of the 14 tips, 9 still are a part of my life. In this area, I continue as a work-in-progress. But, less than five years ago, I lived with the negative thoughts and behaviors cited in all the 14 tips.

Of the 7 Society tips, I have overcome 5 and 2 still remain.

Only 1 negative remains of the 8 Life tips, I live peacefully with the remaining 7 positive thoughts.

Finally,

responding to the statements in the Handbook for Life;
acknowledging the negatives in my life; and,
establishing a plan to reduce and/or eliminate my negative behaviors

brings me closer to living life to its fullest with a healthy mind, body and spirit.

Wordless Wednesday – October 15, 2014

Wordless Wednesday – September 24, 2014

August 2014: Mother-Daughter Vacation in Martha’s Vineyard

Chronic Pain flare-up

Despite the fact that weeks before this scheduled trip, I was dealing with a pain flare-up in the right knee; I was going on the annual Mother-Daughter Vacation in Martha’s Vineyard.

I have struggled with chronic pain since 1993 related to diagnosed conditions of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyaglia. Over the years, I developed various self-management tools to control the pain levels. However, my bone-on-bone knee pain needed either an injection or surgery. And, neither was available before this vacation.

Since there was nothing I could do to make the “Pain Go Away”, my only option was to “Grin and Bare It”

Wheelchair Transport Through the Airports

Since Hubby was not going, he ordered a wheelchair to transport me through the Orlando Airport. This is a long walk through one terminal, a short train ride, and a longer walk through a second terminal. Trust me the need for a wheelchair was the topic of more than one discussion in the days leading up to my departure. Finally, I gave in.

My son picked me up at the Milwaukee Airport and we were off to meet-up with the daughters. After the traditional hugs and kisses, they said, “Mama, you are limping.” While the limp was noticeable, I am certain Hubby had telephoned with his concerns.

After discussing the pros and my cons of a wheelchair; I lost and they ordered one for the next leg of my trip.

When I arrived in Milwaukee, I was an “Unhappy Wheelchair Traveler”; but, I left as the “Grumpy Wheelchair Traveler” as my 14-year-old grandson pushed me through the Milwaukee and Boston Airports.

Was it not just a few years ago that he depended on me to push him around in his stroller? I was not ready for this.

Having someone push me around in a wheelchair was not a pleasant experience; and, I felt —

Stressed
Powerless
Depressed
Angry
Embarrassed

The Airline Flight

On the airplane and seated comfortably; I closed my eyes, breathed deeply, and let go of the negativity.

Through Self-Talk, Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance; I embraced and accepted the gift of wheelchair transports from my hubby, son, two daughters and grandson.

No longer did I feel —

Stressed, I enjoyed Relaxing
Powerless, I gained Power
Depressed, I discovered Peace
Angry, I achieved Happiness
Embarrassed, I reflected Pride

A Few of My Favorite Mother-Daughter Vacation Photos – 2014

The 14-Year-Old Grandson, CJ with His Friend – Lunch on the Ferry

First Night. First Order of Business – Glass of Wine

My Play Daughter from Another Mother, My Youngest Daughter, and Their Two Boys Playing Monopoly on a Rainy Day

Could This Be The Reason The Moms Won At Monopoly? IPhones, IPADS, Laptops, X-Boxes, etc.? I’m Just Saying!!

Love The Old Vintage Homes on Main Street – Downtown Oak Bluff – Facing the Atlantic Ocean

Lunch on The Upper Deck of Nancy’s Seafood with Grandson, Two of His Friends and the Daughters

Surprise from The Daughters – My Favorite Appetizer Before the Crab Leg, Lobster and Shrimp Boil

The Grandson CJ – Adding Crab Legs to the Boil

It’s Crab Boil Night – Because CJ Hates Seafood, He Had A Burrito. His Friend Enjoyed the Crab Let Boil and the Burrito.

Relaxing and Sitting on The Oak Bluff Pier

Look Up In The Sky – Air Force Helicopters Flying Over Prior to The President’s Vacation Visit in The Next Several Days.

Beautiful Sunset View Sitting on The Front Porch

Last Night. Busy Week. Grandson Massaging Mom’s Feet. He Is Special!!!

Goodbye Rental House – See You In August 2015

Day Three: Happy Time with The Librarian at Cocoa Beach

In the post last week, I shared Day One and Day Two of Happy Time with The Librarian who came for a four-day visit.

Though, exhausted after a full day of activities on Day Two; I woke up at 5:00 a.m. ready to start Day Three of Happy Time. The Librarian and I were going to Cocoa Beach, despite the rain, forecasted to last the entire day. However, unlike the second day with the two broken umbrellas; we, were prepared with four newly purchased umbrellas — two golf sized and two minis. Pre-Beach Happy Time

Take a look at Hubby’s Photo, one would think he was going to Cocoa Beach. But, Hubby dislikes sand, being in the rain, and should the rain stop — he really, really does not enjoy being in the sun. So, he only agreed to join us breakfast.

I am going to breakfast and afterwards Cocoa Beach. Hubby chose the right attire, but he is just joining us for breakfast. — **Seasoned Sistah2 and Hubby**

Hubby and The Librarian — **Hubby** and **The Librarian**

We had breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants located in Winter Park, Florida a short drive from where we live.

This beautiful sculpture was on display in the park across the street from the restaurant. Since this was the first time I had seen an alphabet sculpture, I wanted to know more. So, I went to GOOGLE IMAGES and keyed-in “alphabet sculptures around the world.” I did not count the number of sculptures created in different sizes, shapes, and materials.

**Alphabet Sculpture – Winter Park, Florida**

Cocoa-Beach Happy Time

Breakfast over. Hubby back home. We are off to Cocoa Beach which is about 60 miles from my home. We arrived. It was still raining. But we, along with a few other brave hearts, were at the beach. Let the day begin.