Shade Tree Wisdom 1/20/10

“And together they rode into the sunset”. To “Live happily ever after”. You’ve read those fairy tales too, where the prince finds the beautiful maiden, marries her, and “they lived happily ever after”.

Are you happy? I mean, given everything, are you happy? And what do we mean when we say, “I want them to be happy”.

Here’s an article saying we can do better for our children than to want them to be Happy. It starts when the 4 year old moans, “But I’m not happy”, and the parent goes to work to ‘fix’ that sad situation. The right answer would be, “So?” Let them learn there are hurts in life, there are things that do not work out as we want, there are bumps and bruises and failures. Let them learn, and find strength for living.

In this age, where there are fears and losses, teach them to find the strength to overcome the odds, and to go on with their lives. When a gardener moves his plants from the hothouse to the garden, he gives them some stress to strengthen them before setting them into the garden to grow and bear fruit.

Here’s an article in the Digest about being happy, and the essence of the advice is that the best way is to be outgoing and giving.

And isn’t that what Jesus has been teaching in the Bible, and the Apostle Paul as well?

Listen to His words: “I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. . .I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”. Phil. 4, 11.13. “And having food and raiment, let us be herewith content’. 1 Tim 6,8. :And be content with such things as ye have, for He has said, never will I leave thee, never will I forsake thee.” Heb. 13,5.

We know that “Life is real, life is earnest”. And it is filled with setbacks as well as triumphs. It has its warm moments, as well as times of depression. But as the children of God, we can and should always turn to Him who has promised, “I will be with you, even to the end of the world.” That sends us along, happily doing what likes at hand to do, doing it with the skill and the will God grants us, and being thankful for serving Him And That makes us happy.

GPD 1/20/10