The pursuit of happiness

Trying to make everyone happy?   

I think the key lies in the word "make". Just as we are responsible for our own happiness, so is everybody else. We can be kind to others, helpful where we can, as loving as possible... but in the end we can not 'make' them happy. Sometimes, though, I think if we discover the happiness within ourselves it is reflected back at them. Then they may begin to find it for themselves.

I find comfort in knowing that many, many wiser, more enlightened folks than I have sought to understand the meaning of happiness.  If you Google "find happiness" there are gazillions of quotes on the topic:

It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves,  and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.
--Agnes Repplier

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. --Abraham Lincoln

Happiness does not depend on outward things, but on the way we see them.
— Count Leo Tolstoy

I think I began learning long ago that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.— Booker T. Washington

Happiness is not in our circumstance but in ourselves. It is not something we see, like a rainbow, or feel, like the heat of a fire. Happiness is something we are. --John B. Sheerin

If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn't going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness. –Andy Rooney

Did I shave my (whatever) for this?

My first blog. Hmm....... okay, here we go!  Surprisingly divorced at 52,  I am reeling from all the changes!  Part of me never wants to love and have my heart break again...  part of me says, "you're strong and MUST carry on... just put one foot in front of the other.

First I held on to the emotional bonds of my 2 daughters.  They resisted.  I then realize I was so focused on my life w/my husband (he was the 'love of my life') I let every other relationship fall to a lower priority level.  One of the casualties is a woman, my "best friend" of 25 years decides she no longer wants to be so.

My parents are deceased.

So here I am, faced with the task of completely "starting over". 

I bought a house at a real estate auction. Near my oldest daughter.  It turned out to be a MAJOR fixer, and here I am, single, alone, medically retired, fixed income, trying to fix a house. I have very few carpenter skills, but I watch HGTV occasionally!  Having been a single parent for many years, (prior to this last marriage), I have some stubborn "I am Woman, Hear me Roar",  skills.  

Unfortunately I've never mastered the skill of dealing with a total and complete heartbreak....

I have this attitude, "Walk a Mile in My Shoes"....... if you can live the life I've lived for over a half a century and do better  than I have..... by all means, take over -- you're welcome to it.

I should probably shut up for now........  if you've read this and have any interest in reading more, please let me know.   Thank you kindly.  :-)