Dear ,
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Welcome to Issue 173. If you did not receive a previous issue, you may use the archive link below to view it now. The mission of "Marvelous Mondays" is to offer an inspirational thought, a practical exercise, some humor, or a simple tip to jump-start your week and to enhance your life, business, outlook or relationships.
Please feel free to forward "Marvelous Mondays" to others who will enjoy it.
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| H=IJ (HAPPINESS IS AN INSIDE JOB) |
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This is the second on a series on happiness. Click here for issue 172. I acknowledge as a source for this issue the Reverend John Powell, S.J. in his book "Happiness is an Inside Job".
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FIRST ASSUMPTION-HAPPINESS IS A NATURAL CONDITION |
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John Powell's first assumption is that happiness is a natural condition. This comes from his own belief in a higher power and his own experience. If you do not agree with him, I am requesting that you consider the possibility that he is correct as you read and reflect on this series on Happiness.
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SECOND ASSUMPTION-IF WE AREN'T HAPPY, SOMETHING IS MISSING |
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If you expect things or other people to be responsible for your happiness, then you're not looking for happiness in the right place. People and things may add to your happiness, but your happiness begins inside you.
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THE COMPARISON & COMPETITION TRAPS |
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COMPARISON TRAP
As small children, most of us were compared to others. While our parents meant to help us, it doesn't always turn out that way. Here's the usual list of comparisons:
- Looks.
- Brains "why can't you get good grades like your brother?"
- Behavior "why can't you behave like the rest of the children?"
- "When I was your age..."
COMPETITION TRAP
We have competed for grades, honors, scholarships, popularity, recognition, memberships into certain "in groups" or clubs, and athletics.
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THE "IF ONLY" GAME
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Our comparison and competition traps continue as we get older and we can become negative and envious and start the "if only" game. The game goes like this: "If only I ________________ then I would be happy." Here's just some more of the "if only":
- If only my parents had done_____ for me...
- If only I had gone to a better school...
- If only I had a job like...
- If only I made as much money as...
- If only my assets were as much as ...
- If only my home was as large as...
- If only I were as good looking as...
- if only I were smarter...
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| EXERCISE |
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This week I invite you to reflect on the following:
1. Are you looking to others to be responsible for your happiness? Is that working for you?
2. Are you looking for "things" to be responsible for your happiness? How is that working for you?
3. Look in a mirror. Do you agree with the quote and the picture below?
While I realize this exercise can be challenging, I encourage you to do so. I look forward to hearing from you. I will listen to you.
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