The Art of Enjoying Life

It is said that living well is the best revenge. While Mixonian is not a revenge advocate, living well, or enjoying one's life as it is presently constituted, is ultimate wisdom. It's also the work of a lifetime. A few thoughts on this path:

1. It's been said before, and on this blog; an attitude of gratitude is essential. It starts with yourself. If you can't appreciate yourself, you can't appreciate others. No matter what is going on in your life, it can always be worse, be grateful that it's not.

2. Seek the good; seek the solution. Let's say, for example, Edna is upset because Cody is not treating her the way she wants to be treated in some specific way. The trick is not to berate Cody, it's teaching Cody how she wants to be treated. That is the solution, it's up to Edna, probably through trial and error, to implement a working resolution.

Take the case of Helga. She is unhappy because she is too busy; she feels oppressed. However, the only person who is oppressing Helga, unless she's a political prisoner of some totalitarian state, is herself. Only Helga can resolve this.

3. Focus on beauty. LaQueesha has a super ugly water heater in her kitchen. She can't build a cabinet to hide it right now so she covers it with plants. Now she doesn't see the water heater, even though it's still quite there, LaQueesha sees the lovely, happy plants. Bring beauty to yourself, your work space and of course, your living space. What makes it lovely is totally up to you.

4. The people and situations that annoy you are your teachers. Look for the lessons and learn them so you can move beyond these. Then you face new problems and new lessons. If you're not growing, you're not really alive.

5. Realize we're all connected, even to the tacky people. People whose actions and attitudes bother you are probably acting out of fear. Focus on the best possible interpretation of what is going on.

The best thing you can do for others, is to enjoy your own life. Successful people, who like themselves and their lives, are not burdens to others.

Life is a garden, tend to your own.