I am trying to remember how I pictured my future when I was in college. I know for sure I never thought I would be flopped on a sofa watching Highlander episodes on my 42-inch flat screen tv using a VOD device. If I remember correctly I wanted to be a TV producer or Naomi Wolf. That didn’t happen. Today I spent at networking events. Yeah, more than one. I am all networked out. Can I get my business off the ground? We shall see. I met an author. One of his books is called, Handbook to a Happier Life. I asked him what gives him the authority to write a book on happiness? As soon as the words were out of my mouth I thought of the time I asked a guy from NASA if we really did land on the moon. I should probably think before I speak. But the author ignored my cheekiness and said he was quite the drunk and druggie in the 70’s but at some point he had an epiphany, he asked God for help and every since he’s had luck and been happy. He said he lives in a huge house and drives an expensive car- has a beautiful wife and experiences wondrous abundance in his life. Wow. Really. Wow. I want to go out and buy all his books. I guess I should read them too. That’s the part I am not so good at.
donnaville
sugar and spice and everything groovy
I have Dennis Prager’s book, “Happiness Is A Serious Problem.” It is not too long, and an interesting read. He also dedicates the last hour of his radio show on Friday’s to the subject of being happy. I think it is from 2-3?
I’ve been scanning my New Testament, and I haven’t found a single example of anyone who owned a 42 inch TV or drove a Lexus. All those disciples and converts must have lived miserable, empty lives. And what can you say about the pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock? Those poor schmucks never had a Macy’s charge card or a membership at a country club. They must have felt like complete losers. Too bad they didn’t have access to the wisdom contained in ‘Handbook To A Happier Life’. Matter of fact, life must have been meaningless for just about everyone on the planet prior to the distribution of electricity.
What I mean is:
“If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.”
Desiderata! I remember hearing the spoken word recording on XM one day driving to work. I gotta re-listen, re-read it.
I know, a little sarcasm goes a long way 🙂
I detest the smiley faced “prosperity preachers” (Joel Osteen is the prime example) who sell their mind-numbed followers the notion that God intends for them to have “nice things”. Hey, Joel’s followers DESERVE nice stuff! Asking God for that kind of “help” (huge houses, expensive cars, bodacious babes for wives) is like a 3 year old kid asking for a candy bar…check that, it’s like a 3 year old feeling entitled to the whole freaking candy store…that’s not very theologically sound if you ask me.
I know what you mean– I had that feeling when I read The Secret. I do believe in the law of attraction, I just don’t so much believe you can harness it by wishing for a new car or a mansion. It made me think of when I was a little girl and before I went to bed at night I’d recite, “Now I Lay me Down to sleep I pray thee lord for a new Barbie doll.”
When I pray, I jut ask for guidance. I figure God knows better than me- my thoughts are too limited anyway– leave it up to God to direct.
I know your blog is pretty much General Purpose and isn’t particularly religious or political or driven by
controversy (I think Michelle Malkin and Ann Coulter have that market cornered)….but theologically speaking, the Savior of the New Testament didn’t promise his followers anything except heartache and persecution. And they willingly obeyed. There certainly was no talk of earthly riches, which were COMPLETELY eschewed…so when so-called “preachers” like Osteen pour candy into the ears of his followers I wonder which religion he’s practicing (and I’m hardly alone in my criticism). Love people and use things…
not the other way around.