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Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times. Aeschylus
Most unhappy people I’ve met either blame others or they blame themselves. Either way the person claims they have no control over helping themselves. I’m not talking about someone suffering from clinical depression. As a social worker I know the difference. I’m talking about people who come up with all kinds of excuses why, “I can’t change what’s happening to me.” For the most part being happy is a choice, and to change a situation one has to start making new choices and stop old patterns of behavior. This is tough, which is why blaming other people or circumstances is easier. As a therapist I know that happiness isn’t complicated. The complicated, difficult part is changing your thought patterns that lead to bad choices. Here are tips to make yourself happier. Sounds simple, but unless you do the hard work of changing your view, attitude or thought patterns you won’t see the value in simple things that make a huge difference. The good news is you can do it.
“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” Emily Bronte
Two people met and fell in love. After a time they wanted more than anything to get married. Simple. Romantic. Hear the violin music and the birds singing? A story old as time. But in the case of Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving their dream of a life together was anything but simple. You see it was 1958 and they living in Caroline County, Virginia. For them at that time and in that place getting married was against the law. Mildred was black and Richard was white. Interracial marriage was against the law still in many states in 1958. Out of their heartache came a beautiful story of triumph and a history making Supreme Court decision that struck down the law making their marriage a crime in Virginia and other states.
June 12 is now Loving Day Mildred and Richard didn’t set out to make history. They just wanted to raise a family and be together for a lifetime. Still I’m sure they’d be proud of what their act of courage and love did for so many others.
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