“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” Thomas Merton
Reflections: Staying Afloat…
Throughout life, we experience plenty of highs and lows, disappointments and triumphs. Embracing an emotional equilibrium helps (us) to remember that through the tidal waves of life, balance is always restored. Maintaining perspective and emotional balance is (our) buoy through the ebb and flow. gaiamtv.com
My dearest friends in La di da Land,
Ma Floatella here. We must be careful how we cast aspersions as we don’t know anyone’s full story until they decide to share it. If I told you that the reason why I haven’t called is because I’m in the final throes of a terminal illness, would it matter more or less?
If I told you that the reason why I haven’t stopped by for coffee is because I’m passed out in some rat hole sozzled up to my eyeballs, would it matter more or less?
If I told you that the reason why I haven’t mailed your card is because I’m f#&*ing busy helping a friend who lost a loved one, would it matter more or less?
If I told you that the reason why I missed your birthday party is because I’m having a Housewives of Atlanta reality check moment, would it matter more or less?
If I told you that the reason why I refuse to move into your guest house is because it holds too many painful memories of things l left behind/lost in the fire, would it matter more or less? Contd below
“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” Anon
Reflections: Staying Afloat…
Ma Floatella again: I’m doing the best I can to choose happiness. Don’t gloat or castigate me. My version of staying afloat might not match yours but we, at different points in our lives will either need a lifeline, or know someone who desperately needs one = our support. If we don’t care about what we know, how could we care about what we don’t know for sure…? I had an appointment in the city on Tuesday. A young man approached me asking for money… for help. I didn’t have much on me but I gave him what I had. $5. He looked at me and said, “Give me more, I need more.” I told him I gave what I had. He sauntered off hissing angrily without a thank you. Until he opened his mouth to challenge a gift, he was Prince Charming. Do I know his back-story? NO! Calling him names or accusing him of whatever would be a waste of time. I don’t have all the facts. What I might guess is that he’s trying to stay afloat. More below!
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” Friedrich Keonig
Reflections: Staying Afloat…
A great teacher, the Dalai Lama, once said that, “It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come.” Perfection is not a prerequisite for happiness. Has it occurred to any of us that what we teach others is often what we most need to learn, and that when we think hurtful thoughts about others, we start out by hurting ourselves… Pointing fingers diminishes our collective humanity. Maintain a compassionate perspective and emotional balance when dealing with others… What we imagine might not be what is… When in doubt, ask questions.
Have a Happy Day!
Ma Floatella
This was inspired by a Daily Post Prompt: Daily Prompt: Burnt Remember yesterday, when your home was on fire and you got to save five items? That means you left a lot of stuff behind. What are the things you wish you could have taken, but had to leave behind?
*Please bear with me as I catch up on your blogs and commenting… I’m back on track; albeit at a slow pace. Thank you all for your patience! 
Positive Motivation Tip: Life’s challenges teach us to appreciate the good and keep our hopes and dreams alive… Keep them alive by staying afloat.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Boats afloat via Stockfreeimage, Derelict boat via Wikipedia, via Flickr, or via my personal collection
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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Another wonderful post, Elizabeth!
I appreciate the feedback Naomi! TY!
I had someone yell at me in the street one day because I only gave them $5 – hey, not my fault – it was all I had
I love this line – “pointing fingers diminishes our collective humanity” – beautiful
Isn’t that something…? Maybe next time we should give $1
Sister floater here, but I am paddling like crazy under the water. Always inspiring to read your quotes. I hope the angry beggar finds some peace.
TY Angelia! Hang on… stay afloat… we’ll all make it. I hope he finds his groove too.
Sister floater, heh. Love that! I’m a sister too then
You sure are. TY!
Nicely composed–Thomas Merton–one of the masters of the written word and deep ideas.
He’s one of the best and I always love his quotes when I find them… TY!
I like this Ma Floatella!
Oh TY Julie! She’s proud of you too.
If I’m “burnt” this way and be able to write as beautifully as you, Eliz, I will be in beyond happiness. How do I rate this, I can’t it’s just beyond happiness.
You are too kind and I’m grateful! TY!
Beautiful images that soothes a restless heart. This is so true, “Throughout life, we experience plenty of highs and lows, disappointments and triumphs. Embracing an emotional equilibrium helps (us) to remember that through the tidal waves of life, balance is always restored. Maintaining perspective and emotional balance is (our) buoy through the ebb and flow. ” Thanks for sharing a post that helps us go through life.
Thank You, IT!
GOD IS IN THE DETAILS… 
La di da land
I knew you’d like that one.
A positive attitude is more precious than gold…it can carry one through the most difficult times. Thanks for a beautiful post, Eliz! You know I always appreciate the amazing content you provide…your photos, quotes and words are inspiring.:)
TY Vivian! The sentiments are mutual as I’ve always loved what you do with your blog too.
Wonderful article, Elizabeth! I really like it! Especially the “would it matter” bits.
TY Robyn! Glad to see you visit.
We can be so quick to judge can’t we?
Quite… and it gets old fast. TY!
Thanks
I needed a little reminder today.
Glad to hear you’re back on track!
Girl, what a nice surprise!!!! Welcome back. Are you blogging again? Must check you out. TY!
Wonderful post – and totally agree with Thomas Merton…
Same here… Love Merton’s vision too. TY!
What a reality check.. great words and lovely pictures!!
TY Lisa! Hope all is well…
So, so true, IT! Thank you for your wisdom and quote. Love the beautiful photos. One of things I try to do is not to put myself in the center of everything/every situation.
Well said Amy… I agree and its best to let some things be unspoken.
A wonderful and wise post – again. Thank you
TY Anne! Will be stopping by as I slowly catch up after an absence.
What a wonderful lesson on happiness and not judging another. Beautiful! and a nice reminder TY
TY BB! Hope your day is bright and fulfilling.
Very well done Elizabeth! Love it.
b
Aye, TY Barb!!! Life is about the ups and downs…
Love the images and your wit and wisdom. This post hits on many layers. Well said.
TY Lynne! It was brewing and had to be released sorta.
I think, if people let us down, it DOES matter why. If you got drunk or just preferred to be with someone else, that would be hurtful. If you were in an accident or sick, that would be excusable
I hear you Tilly TY! Sometimes situations happen that cannot be helped. The point I was making is that if we care about a person, it should be without attachment and be based on us simply caring; not measuring when and how to care. Does that make sense to you?
It does!
What time is it? You really are fast milady. TY!
14:13. I’m just writing my post and I saw the icon appear
Okay lovely! I won’t disturb you then… I know when the muse strikes we give her her time… TY! I’m slowly easing back into things… Tilly I can’t even talk about it fully… but TY!
You work too hard!
You too! I need to win the lottery and hire an assistant. My goals are greater than my production… Oy vey. TY!
And it does you credit
Who knows… Ive been so out of the loop lately… It might take months to catch up now. So much going on offline that I can’t even get into… But God is good all the time Tilly and you are one of his angels. TY!
Have a blessed weekend! Get back to your creative abundance!
Another really inspiring post, Elizabeth. “We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” I love this quote because it’s the absolute truth.
Yes. and I love it too… A great reminder to do You! Love it.
I never gave money to a homeless. Last weekend, I let another hitchhiker into my car. I drove her and her dog for a gooooood hour. She was trying to go to San Francisco. I saw her in Santa Barbara. yikes. That’s a lot of walking. She turned out to be a nice young lady. She shared her stories. I was never judgmental to anybody. Like I have said from one of my recent posts which also talks about happiness, everything and everyone, to me, has flaws. People just differ on how they show to the world or how they hide dirt in the closet. And I don’t associate compassion with happiness as much as everyone else. To me, what I did, what I risked just to give back to others, is a personal thing. I just wanted to do good deed. It wasn’t about me being happy. Because if it was happiness, I would have been much comfortable having that ride for myself. Thus, my case, happiness is selfish.
Hi Rommel! I’m surprised there are young people hitch-hiking in this day and age… Compassion feels good. When we do a good deed for others, it feels good and that’s the association we make of it to happiness. Happiness is not just about our own delight but also the delight we share and give to others… Anyway, the great thing about happiness is that there are no requirements or tests to take… We experience it from our own space and it speaks to each of us somewhat differently. I hear you… TY!
I agree compassion feels good, & I agree I can’t believe people are still hitch-hiking!!
Your views on happiness are very true, to me. I enjoyed this post much, eof737.
good message, Eliz:
“…Life’s challenges teach us
to appreciate the good
and keep our hopes and dreams alive…
Keep them alive by staying afloat…”
Yes, they do… and they show us the full picture of what matters and what to let go. You know the deal. TY!
Truly inspiring Eliz…very little i can add to everything that has already been said
You are so kind Madhu! It was a real stress reducer… TY!
“Keep them alive by staying afloat.”
as I’ve sat here and contemplated yet another challenging work day I thought “I wonder if there’s something on Mirth and Motivation to help with this mild anxiety attack that I’m having” and sure enough. and what I’ve quoted above from your post is how I need to keep going. I’ve felt anxious since I shut down my work computer in disgust. I could write an entire post about this situation. Suffice it to say that I’m doing my best to keep my hopes and dreams alive by just staying afloat right now. Thank you for another burst of inspiration to keep going. Find. The. Good. In every situation, we must find the good…..
TY Tobyo! You spoke for me with your comment… isn’t it amazing … I believe God works in mysterious ways in our lives… There are times I feel so tired and want to walk away and the Lord reminds me why, again and again! You got it. Thank you dear one! TY!
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mirth and motivation, I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger’s Award:
http://buddhasalblog.com/2013/02/11/unexpected-joy-for-my-now-thank-you/
Have a FANTASTIC day!!
-buddhasal