Tuesday May 13, 2014 #626
“The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.” ~Carlos Castaneda
I truly believe that our misery and our happiness are almost entirely our own doing. In a particular moment, outside forces can illicit misery or joy in us. But after that moment, it is up to us to determine our ongoing sense of being. Miserable people tend to dismiss moments of joy as aberrations and feelings they do not deserve – and so the feeling doesn’t last. Joyful people on the other hand tend to dismiss moments of misery as aberrations and feelings they do not wish to maintain – and so they don’t.
The fact is that you do deserve joy and not misery. All moments are fleeting – both miserable and joyous. It is up to you to decide what you will hold onto and to anticipate, and what you will dismiss as aberrations and let go.