I just read this article on happiness and it got me thinking. Happiness is such a subjective state of mind. In this article in underscores the idea that achievements and belongings do not equal happiness.

This is no surprise, is it? Especially to each of you who are sufferring. For people who are in pain, joy will come when the pain stops. But, it is important to remember, as bad as the current challenge can be, it is probably not as bad as your worst nightmare. Over the years I have had a few patients say things like "I would rather have cancer than IC"! Believe me--be careful what you wish for. One patient who said that sufferred for a year after her IC was a thing of the past with a new chronic problem. Was this "the universe" giving a warning signal? Maybe. I think so. Now she is wiser not to say things like that, and thank goodness she did not get what was behind dorr number 2!

When I am faced with challenges in my own life, I seriosuly think to myself--I can get up out of my own bed with my own two feet. I can go to the bathroom without the assitance of anyone else. I can feed myself with my own hands and through my own mouth (as opposed to a feeding tube, one like my father had in the whole year prior to his death), and I can get to work and make my own living. YOu know what? All is good from there. It is all up hill! Then, I look around me and see the carpet on the floor in my house and the green grass of my lawn and I think about all the people in the worl living in war zones and poverty, and I think to myself, it is all up hill from here! How lucky am I that I was given all of these gifts in my life.

So, when I am lured by pity for whatever challenges life has brought my way, I remember these kinds of things and then I think, I will get through this, thank you, thank you for not making my life a challenge that I cannot deal with.

Here is the article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25970404/from/ET/

Dr.B