The Happiness Project

I recently came across a website in which a woman is, in her words, “test-driving every principle, tip, theory, and scientific study I could find, whether from Aristotle or St. Therese or Martin Seligman or Oprah” to find which ones help her increase her happiness.

And I realized that I’ve been doing something similar for some time, now. Except, I had found one that worked so well [for me] that I’ve used it and it alone for years—and have increased my happiness exponentially.

It’s called The Gestalt Prayer [author Fritz Perls]. A simple concept—which takes some work to put into practice—and a lifetime to master. But, hey, that’s what I’ve got to play with: a lifetime! :)

Here it is:
“I do my thing and you do your thing.
I am not in this world to live up to your expectations.
And you are not in this world to live up to mine.
I am I and you are you and if, by chance, we find each other—it’s beautiful.
If not, it can’t be helped.”
xxx
I find that, if I begin to slip into judging others [or feeling judged by others] and I simply allow myself to breathe into this statement of fact, I allow myself to relax. I stop judging the 'other’ and I stop judging myself [which is what ‘feeling judged by others’ is, REALLY.]

And my happiness returns.
xxx
So, I offer the Gestalt Prayer to anyone who’d like to try it. Of course, it’s not mine to offer—so just go for it.
It’s also not the only philosophy out there. There are a myriad to choose from. So, shop around—find one [or two or three] that you feel comfortable with. Allow yourself to try em on and, when you find the one or two that fit for you, simply live the precept[s] you have chosen.

And, be easy with yourself.
If you find yourself slipping into judgmentalness, disappointment with the actions of others [or yourself], anger, etc. etc. etc., try not to compound the problem by judging yourself for not being perfect at it.
Just breathe.
Re-center.
Start again.

The bottom line is—this approach really does work.
Have fun! :)

AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE

Many people have compared the Catholic Church to the Mafia because they say once you're in, you can never leave. Now, we all know that isn't true! Right?

Ok, there are a few rules of etiquette that you must follow in the Catholic Church that seem to be very similar to the Mafioso rules of etiquette. Tell me what you think...


MAFIOSO ETIQUETT

1. Never look at the wives of friends.
   
   
2. Never be seen with cops.
   
   
3. Don’t go to pubs and clubs.
   
   
4. Always being available for Cosa Nostra is a duty - even if your wife’s about to give birth.
   
   
5. Appointments must absolutely be respected.
   
   
6. Wives must be treated with respect.
   
   
7. When asked for any information, the answer must be the truth.
   
   
8. Money cannot be appropriated if it belongs to others or to other families.
   
   
9. People who can’t be part of Cosa Nostra: anyone who has a close relative in the police, anyone with a two-timing relative in the family, anyone who behaves badly and doesn’t hold to moral values.
   

CATHOLIC CHURCH ETIQUETT

1. Never look at the wives of friends.
   
   
2. Never be seen with cops.
   
   
3. Don't go to clubs and pubs.
   
   
4. Always being available for the Knights of Columbus, it's a duty - even if your wife’s about to give birth.
   
   
5. Appointments with the Pastor must absolutely be respected.
   
   
6. Husbands must be treated with respect.
   
   
7. When asked for any information, the answer must be the truth.
   
   
8. Money can never be appropriated if it belongs to others in your family, i.e. don't steal change from your kids piggy bank to put in the collection basket. The Church will accept checks or money orders.
   
   
9. People who can’t be part of Knights of Columbus: women or anyone who behaves badly and doesn’t hold to moral values.
   

I'm sorry, this is all I have for you today. I have to leave town on some family business (real family, not mafioso) on this Wednesday (April 30) and should be returning (hopefully) on the following Wednesday (May 7th). On Tuesday I can only come around intermittently because I have a lot of errands to run before I leave.

If any of you are into praying...pray that I am invisible to all traffic radar cops, and that I may be blessed with the patience of a saint while driving through Indiana rush hour traffic.

*****************************