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trained-pianist
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« Reply #1740 on: 15:29:41, 26-05-2007 » |
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I am with you on this, A. All books are too simplistic in their approach.
I am just grabing to straws sometimes.
I still thought I post some of the quotes to share it with people. This particular book is a little better than the rest.
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Milly Jones
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« Reply #1741 on: 16:10:53, 26-05-2007 » |
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When in the grip of life's worst disasters, calamities, catastrophes and everything else that is thrown at me - I find it useful to consider that even at its worst and most dreadful, it has to be more interesting than the only alternative we have, which is....nothing.
That's it really isn't it? If someone doesn't have a strong religious faith as a crutch and for an Agnostic like me who doesn't know whether there's anything else afterwards or not, this adventure that life is, with all its downs as well as ups and all the dreadful injustices that we have to deal with.... is all we have. It's only for a relatively short time even if we have extreme longevity for a human being. Before that, there's nothing and after that, there's nothing.
I would like to think that at the end of my life - assuming that I'd have time to give it any consideration or indeed be in any fit state to - I'd be thinking, "well I've enjoyed the adventure, warts and all, and I'm glad that I was one of those who was given the opportunity to have any sort of life." It's miraculous that any of us are here at all in any sort of capacity. I've lived, loved, lost, worried, rejoiced, fretted, triumphed, been healthy, been ill - all in a shortish space of time. I've given birth and watched people die. I've had many experiences I really wish I hadn't had to go through but many that have been amazingly beautiful and profound.
I'm grateful for the blessings but I'll stop philosophising now except to say that happiness is just a state of mind that it isn't possible for us to be in all the time.
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We pass this way but once. This is not a rehearsal!
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Morticia
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« Reply #1742 on: 16:14:48, 26-05-2007 » |
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I`ve come across that `Happiness is our birthright` quote before and it rather worries me. At best it sets up unrealistic expectations leading to the `Why me?` response when some kind of misfortune happens. There does seem to be a culture now of people expecting or even demanding to be happy, a kind of `Life owes me` approach. The trouble is that people can be so engrossed with trying to be happy, they actually miss those small, transient moments of happiness. George (where are you, George?) gave some wonderful examples of this a few weeks back. I`m not for one moment suggesting that we all adopt the `We are living in a Vale of Tears` philosophy, that would be equally extreme and also unhealthy. As I`m typing this I`m reminded of a song by Joan Baez called `Diamonds and Rust`. Maybe not such a bad metaphor for life (although the song was about a love affair). The diamonds are there but so is the rust. Sometimes it`s easier to see the rust than the diamonds. Anyway, Doctor Who is on tonight which will make me Happy! Who was that who just said `Saddo!`?  |
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Milly Jones
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« Reply #1743 on: 16:38:47, 26-05-2007 » |
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Think you're a saddo? I've had a dreadful week of chest infection and a couple of migraines so happiness today for me is........being able to watch a child playing football this morning and do my ironing this afternoon without being high as a kite on painkillers, or with a hand firmly clamped over one eye, coughing like a bag-lady on a bench. I think that makes me a saddo!! Only I could be happy ironing just because I haven't got a headache at the same time!  But hey Mort!! What has George been doing to make you happy then? Huh? Huh? I think it's time for a mud wrestle!!!    |
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We pass this way but once. This is not a rehearsal!
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A
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« Reply #1744 on: 16:43:21, 26-05-2007 » |
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Good stuff Mort, I guess you are also saying 'Grab the bits of happiness as they come' ? That's how I feel anyway. Life's too short not to enjoy anything at all that is thrown at us that brings us pleasure ( that includes Dr Who by the way!!!!) For example.... just a moment ago my feller brought me an unexpected cup of coffee.... that makes me happy.....as do unexpected text messages 'Saddo' was the word you used wasn't it?!!! Yes... where is George? I noticed Soundwave was here briefly this afternoon and has also diappeared again...  A |
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Well, there you are.
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Morticia
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« Reply #1745 on: 16:45:07, 26-05-2007 » |
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Oh Gawd Milly. Heavy sigh. Let me just haul myself into the pink diamante studded leotard, strap on my faux leopard skin wrestling boots and I`ll be with you. Can you go easy with the half-Nelson this time though? It`s costing me a flippin` fortune in horse linament! George, I hope that you appreciate what us gels go through for you! |
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Milly Jones
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« Reply #1746 on: 16:50:07, 26-05-2007 » |
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Tell you what Mort, let's hang on till later only I've still got a pile of ironing and another lot to come off the line in about half an hour. I haven't got to my sequinned thong yet.... The weather is about to change they reckon which is a real pity because for the last two days it's been glorious sunshine and really great oop north. Apparently tomorrow is going to be gusty gales and pouring rain with worse to come on Monday.  That is of course if they've got it right.."what hurricane?" As George seems to have deserted us both, we can only assume that he has found Another! We'll get her when we find out who she is!!! |
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We pass this way but once. This is not a rehearsal!
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Morticia
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« Reply #1747 on: 16:58:11, 26-05-2007 » |
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In case we need some help .....  |
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Milly Jones
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« Reply #1748 on: 17:02:52, 26-05-2007 » |
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That looks great Mort! I can't believe it's 5 p.m. already! Doesn't time fly when you're enjoying yourself? All those lovely clean piles of laundry and R3 on in the background ...aaaahhhhhh.....(it used to be Bisto, now it's "Saddo") |
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We pass this way but once. This is not a rehearsal!
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Morticia
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« Reply #1749 on: 17:10:39, 26-05-2007 » |
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Milly, I believe a mutual accquaintance is to get a mention on JRR today. Stay tuned, eh? |
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Milly Jones
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« Reply #1750 on: 17:18:35, 26-05-2007 » |
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Ok!! It's very cool piano jazz at the moment but I hope I haven't missed anything because I have to keep nipping outside to bring in more laundry supplies.... Who is it? Do tell!  |
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We pass this way but once. This is not a rehearsal!
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Anna Condor
Posts: 70
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« Reply #1751 on: 17:24:39, 26-05-2007 » |
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Hola! Happiness is a birthright, well it depends where in the world you were born doesn't it? If you are a well heeled upper middle class personage with medical insurance then a blip on the horizon is nothing, if you are a starving child in Africa I don't expect you expect much happiness.
Ditto UK, if you are a depressive single surviving in sub standard accommodation with children with asthma what's your expectation of happiness? Nil. We all look at happiness from our own perspective and project that perspective upon others.
Well, what a cheeful firstpost! JRR sounds good though.
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Morticia
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« Reply #1752 on: 17:26:35, 26-05-2007 » |
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Milly, a clue .....  |
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Morticia
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« Reply #1753 on: 17:28:25, 26-05-2007 » |
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trained-pianist
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« Reply #1754 on: 17:30:12, 26-05-2007 » |
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Anna Condor. I am glad you came here. I think this is a place to heal.
I am trying to heal my wounds. I am an immigrant and a foreigner. So you found a right place. Please accept my congratulations with a first post.
Welcome to the board.
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