5 Simple Rules to be Happy

A friend of mine shared these 5 simple rules with me a while back and I have kept them on my desk at home ever since so I can see them every time I sit at my computer. I identified these on my MySpace site but would like to go into more detail here. Maybe some of you who read this will have some advice in the areas where I'm struggling.

1. Free your heart from hatred

This sounds like an easy thing to do, doesn't it? I mean, c'mon, we're Christians! We don't hate anybody! Well, I can honestly say that I don't hate anyone. However, I do have a very strong dislike toward some people because of things that have happened in the past. I have forgiven them, but I have trouble forgetting. That "forgive and forget" crap just doesn't work. Bad memories are brought up too easily. It's very hard not to be taken back to the incident(s) that started the feelings of ill will to begin with when you hear the person's name or see some kind of reminder. It's especially hard when you actually come in contact with one of these people and have to struggle through that very awkward feeling...especially when they talk to you like you are best friends who have not seen each other in ages. I can think of three individuals who fall into this category and I continue to struggle with my feelings. I know that God forgives me when I hurt Him and forgets as a result of His grace that wipes my slate clean until I trip again, which sometimes is on the next step. I continue to pray about my feelings in an effort to reach the point of one day being able to let these feelings go forever.

2. Free your mind from worries

Are you kidding? Don't worry about anything? You have to post a comment if you are able to live with no worries at all. I want to hear from you. Believe me, I'm very familiar with Matthew 6:25-34. I have read it many times but have not been able to eliminate worry from my life. I know that part of it is my "anal" personality wanting everything I do to be perfect and realizing that it won't be. Therefore, I worry about what will go wrong and how bad it will be. Another contributing factor is my lack of patience. I'm not the kind of person who has to have everything right now, but I am the kind of person who doesn't like to wait forever to get it. I know that God is in control and He knows what my concerns, strengths, weaknesses, and fears are. I should be able to rest comfortably with the assurance that He will take care of me. So why can't I?

3. Live simply

I don't have a problem with this one. I'm a fairly simple person. I don't like to have too much going on at once. I want to have a few things that I can concentrate on and make sure they are done correctly. If I get involved in too many things at once, I begin to freak out and panic. Unlike other members of my family, you will not see me volunteering for multiple committees, task forces, clubs, groups, etc. I'm happy with the simple life. That is, MY simple life...not The Simple Life .

4. Give more

Believe it or not, giving does feel good. I am in a position in life right now that allows me to give freely and I am enjoying doing that. There are so many people and worthy causes that need financial help and it feels good to be able to provide that assistance. I read an article about the death of Bill Daniels who is known in business circles as the father of cable television. His firm is credited with developing more than 50 of the biggest cable companies in the U.S. The article contrasts his "good boy" image with his life of multiple marriages, alcohol abuse, and rampant profanity. Even though he was viewed as a very demanding employer, he countered that with kind acts such as leaving unmarked envelopes full of cash at the doors of employees who were having financial problems and driving off (his stepdaughter called it "drive-by giving"), giving airline tickets to employees to visit sick family members, giving rent money during hard times, and even going so far as to pay for plastic surgery for a receptionist who was very self-conscious because of an eye disorder. Bill Daniels had the money to do whatever he wanted...and he chose to share it with others.

5. Expect less

If we actually give more to other people and expect less (or nothing) in return, we can enjoy true happiness. If we don't expect anything from anyone, how can we be disappointed if nothing is received? I agree that can be difficult at times. It only seems fair that if we give to someone else, they should do something in return for us...right? That is part of our nature that we need to shake and direct our time and attention to making others happy.