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I dunno Joe..
Maybe we feel blessings will run out if we bless others? Who knows? But it is silly the way we sometimes think. 
posted by
word.smith
on November 16, 2005 at 5:53 PM
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word.smith
As usual, you give wise words of advice. Heck, what's the problem for being happy for other people who have been blessed with good fortune??!!
posted by
Joe_Love
on November 15, 2005 at 6:54 PM
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Jacenta, thanks.
It does make life easier for all concerned if we can be happy for others.
posted by
word.smith
on November 14, 2005 at 7:50 AM
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word.smith...
Your insight in this post is great. Yes, we need to count our blessings and be thankful for the blessings that other's receive, too.
posted by
jacentaOld
on November 14, 2005 at 5:15 AM
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Temple,
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I tend to shut people out if they've hurt me. It's protection, just in case they wind up hurting me again. I've come to realize that there has to be forgiveness to clear the air and allow myself and the other person to move on, even if they hurt me again.
I think you're right in that by stepping back and contemplating what we do before we do it we save ourselves a lot of trouble and misunderstanding.
posted by
word.smith
on November 14, 2005 at 4:54 AM
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Cass, that's a good point...
I've been able to remain stable because I know that while God is faithful, I have to do something to change my situation. I'm not always successful at doing what I need to do, but I try to keep focused and I never stop trying.
posted by
word.smith
on November 14, 2005 at 4:50 AM
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TF,
This one's for you. 
Happy to see ya!
You know that God's blessed you. Too often, and I'm guilty of that, we do not realize how blessed we are.
posted by
word.smith
on November 14, 2005 at 4:48 AM
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Good point, Quirky!
posted by
word.smith
on November 14, 2005 at 4:46 AM
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Libertine,
You are honest. Some of us would die before we admit that we have faults or that we do just what you've said. IMO, we are better persons for being able to admit our flaws.
posted by
word.smith
on November 14, 2005 at 4:45 AM
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Thanks for stopping by, Symph.
Always a pleasure.
posted by
word.smith
on November 14, 2005 at 4:44 AM
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Thanks Divine,
Maybe our spirit is so unsettled because we are easily distracted? Who knows?
posted by
word.smith
on November 14, 2005 at 4:43 AM
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I'm very much thinking about thing like this right now.
Time makes us jaded, closed up. We get hurt by things, situations and people. It's harder to let people in, easier to shut people out. It's also easier, I think like you mentioned, to blame other things for our shortcomings or misfires. I wonder if we overcomplicate it? I wonder if maybe just stepping back sometimes and looking down at where our feet are walking and the road signs might help? Maybe we could just shake it off and start over when we get turned around like that. Hmmm...something to think about.
posted by
Temple
on November 13, 2005 at 11:33 PM
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It is very difficult to be genuinely happy for others when you are sinking lower by the minute, however if we can truly try to be happy for others it also helps us. It might not make us instantly successful, but we reap what we sow, and if we sow happiness for others, we might just end up reaping it for ourselves.
posted by
Ca88andra
on November 13, 2005 at 12:09 AM
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So much crap has happened to me I quit wondering what I did wrong.God blessed me and I'm still here and some people may wonder how that happened? I like to keep them guessing...
posted by
ThomasFranklin
on November 13, 2005 at 12:05 AM
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and blessing others for their good fortune also is a good way to bring some to yourself.
posted by
Julia.
on November 12, 2005 at 6:53 PM
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I am so guilty of that very thing from time to time. Most of the time I am genuinely happy for the good fortune of others, but now and again the green monster rears its head, and I don't like that.
posted by
Holy_Grail
on November 12, 2005 at 2:44 PM
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great post...sure makes me think
posted by
_Symphony_
on November 12, 2005 at 7:54 AM
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Sad but true.
The human spirit seems to be so discontent and unsettled. Let me say, I am happy for your success on Blog and I enjoy reading your work.
Amen.
posted by
Divine_1
on November 11, 2005 at 11:42 PM
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Bright Irish,
Yes, this would be a better place for all of us if we could share our joys and give support during troublesome times. There's hope as long we are above ground.
posted by
word.smith
on November 11, 2005 at 7:33 PM
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Telly,
I don't doubt for a minute what you wrote here. I know that when bad things happen to me I tend to rehash them over and over in my mind. I have to make a conscious effort not to do that. The pleasant things, I don't dwell on for very long. 
posted by
word.smith
on November 11, 2005 at 7:32 PM
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word.smith
Very insightful post.. The world would be so much nicer if we could all share in eachothers joys and be willing to help eachother through sorrows. Great Post!
posted by
BrightIrish
on November 11, 2005 at 4:28 PM
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I think we tend to focus more on negatives in our lives far more than the good things. I was talking to Dr M on wednesday, and I discovered that it's been studied that our brains tend to linger more on distressing memories than the pleasant ones, and that a sign of depression is when we can't even think about the good things that have happened. However, we can learn to lessen the impact of the trauma. So there's some hope.
posted by
telynor
on November 11, 2005 at 11:44 AM
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Malcolm,
I guess we are programmed that way. Who knows? I know something is wrong when I start wanting what's not mine and what I intend to take by force. Have a good weekend too.
posted by
word.smith
on November 11, 2005 at 10:59 AM
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You're very welcome word.smith
I was thinking about this again this morning at 11.00 and blogged about the Armistice just after, with tears rolling down my face. Why can't we just be content and know that we are blessed?
Have a nice weekend.
posted by
malcolm
on November 11, 2005 at 10:10 AM
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