Literary Inspiration: Abraham Lincoln on Happiness

People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.
- Abraham Lincoln
I went out shopping today for a pair of thermals. It appears that I left it too late and all the ones for women of a curvy nature have disappeared off shelves. Hauling on a pair that I knew would be too small to fit, I could almost smell my own discontent. Stupid thermals, stupid shop, stupid-fat-ass-on-me-why-the-hell-don't-I lose-weight grrrrrrrrr.
Then I lifted my head up to the fitting room and mirror and smiled. I don't really have that much to be upset about. I get to go on an awesome holiday tomorrow with my darling PianoMan and we get to stay in a gorgeous hotel and spend some uninterrupted time together. If I'm freezing, it's just a good reason to snuggle.
So often, happiness is just how we choose to frame something - what we focus on as being important. Sometimes we can be less-than-happy, choosing to live in the now than focus on the joy yet to come (I know that this happens with university work and I A LOT) and sometimes it is the reverse, spoiling the happiness of now with what must unfortunately and inevitably come (like end of holidays).
Not finding thermals today meant that I had the cash to buy a pair of three quarter leggings with lace around the ends (had been on my must buy list), means I have more money to spend in Christchurch and meant I was out of the mall earlier - meaning I could come into work earlier and earn more cash. Frame the situation right and the happiness will leap out at you.
Scribblettes, what's something you can reframe today?

3 comments:

  1. Such a positive attitude :), I think at times when I feel the worse I can get into a spiral where everything gets coloured by negativity - trying to re frame things in a positive light makes all the difference.
    On a side note - the is a outlet store - the LWR store here in CHCH that has masses of cheap thermals for sale (merino too) just might be what your looking for.

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  2. Wise, wise, wise! It's true, sometimes happiness means focusing on the moment and sometimes it means looking to the future. Perfectly articulated.

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  3. What a fabulous attitude you have! It's so true that almost anything has a positive side if you look hard enough for it. Thanks for inspiring me today :D

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