From Yahoo! -

by LBC, on Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:45am PDT

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." - Martha Washington

Wise words spoken by our nation's first First Lady. This phrase (now taped to my cubicle wall) has helped me find happiness in my daily life. When I graduated college and started my first full-time job, I became pretty depressed and dissatisfied with life. I would wonder: 'Is this is? Wasting my hours away in a cubicle? What about what I want with my life?'

As the years since college have gone on, I've resigned myself to accept that this is my life. This is the only life I'll ever have, and it's time to stop wishing it was different (ie, full of free money and leisure and not having to work) and be happy with what I have. Yes, I do still think our social-economic structure is bogus, and that men and women shouldn't have to virtually slave their days away in offices making money for somebody else, but that's just the way it is. And this is MY life, and I'm going to enjoy it; despite not being happy with "the system."

To do this, anytime I'm feeling a bit down about my circumstances, I try to get myself into the present moment. I think, this is the ONLY 9:05am on June 30th, 2011 that I will EVER live. This place where I am at, this chair that I am sitting in, this air that I am breathing... this is it. This is the reality of my life right now; this is the present moment that my soul is living in. And I embrace that, and I smile, and I become happy because I am alive right now in this moment, no matter where I am.

PurpleJedi said:

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." - Martha Washington

Exactly !

And who would want to be happy 100% of every moment anyway ... also honestly, no one IS

Machaela said:

PurpleJedi said:

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." - Martha Washington

Exactly !

And who would want to be happy 100% of every moment anyway ... also honestly, no one IS

Yeah, I guess if you were to walk around with a smile plastered on your face ALL of the time, you would soon be institutionalized.

Wise words. Not easy to live by them though in every day life. But we should remind them more often.

Machaela said:

PurpleJedi said:

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." - Martha Washington

Exactly !

And who would want to be happy 100% of every moment anyway ... also honestly, no one IS

I was just going to say, I feel much more content having realized that we are not supposed to be happy all the time.

NDRU said:

Machaela said:

Exactly !

And who would want to be happy 100% of every moment anyway ... also honestly, no one IS

I was just going to say, I feel much more content having realized that we are not supposed to be happy all the time.

I still wouldn't mind to be happy all the time .

^^^would be appreciate the happiness without sadness I wonder?

PurpleJedi said:

From Yahoo! -

by LBC, on Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:45am PDT

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." - Martha Washington

Wise words spoken by our nation's first First Lady. This phrase (now taped to my cubicle wall) has helped me find happiness in my daily life. When I graduated college and started my first full-time job, I became pretty depressed and dissatisfied with life. I would wonder: 'Is this is? Wasting my hours away in a cubicle? What about what I want with my life?'

As the years since college have gone on, I've resigned myself to accept that this is my life. This is the only life I'll ever have, and it's time to stop wishing it was different (ie, full of free money and leisure and not having to work) and be happy with what I have. Yes, I do still think our social-economic structure is bogus, and that men and women shouldn't have to virtually slave their days away in offices making money for somebody else, but that's just the way it is. And this is MY life, and I'm going to enjoy it; despite not being happy with "the system."

To do this, anytime I'm feeling a bit down about my circumstances, I try to get myself into the present moment. I think, this is the ONLY 9:05am on June 30th, 2011 that I will EVER live. This place where I am at, this chair that I am sitting in, this air that I am breathing... this is it. This is the reality of my life right now; this is the present moment that my soul is living in. And I embrace that, and I smile, and I become happy because I am alive right now in this moment, no matter where I am.

Sooooooo...they don't pay you?

PurpleJedi said:

^^^would be appreciate the happiness without sadness I wonder?

I have experienced enough sadness in my life to appreciate happiness for the rest of it .

Serious said:

PurpleJedi said:

^^^would be appreciate the happiness without sadness I wonder?

I have experienced enough sadness in my life to appreciate happiness for the rest of it .

PurpleJedi said:

Serious said:

I have experienced enough sadness in my life to appreciate happiness for the rest of it .

Thanks

Genesia said:

PurpleJedi said:

From Yahoo! -

by LBC, on Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:45am PDT

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." - Martha Washington

Wise words spoken by our nation's first First Lady. This phrase (now taped to my cubicle wall) has helped me find happiness in my daily life. When I graduated college and started my first full-time job, I became pretty depressed and dissatisfied with life. I would wonder: 'Is this is? Wasting my hours away in a cubicle? What about what I want with my life?'

As the years since college have gone on, I've resigned myself to accept that this is my life. This is the only life I'll ever have, and it's time to stop wishing it was different (ie, full of free money and leisure and not having to work) and be happy with what I have. Yes, I do still think our social-economic structure is bogus, and that men and women shouldn't have to virtually slave their days away in offices making money for somebody else, but that's just the way it is. And this is MY life, and I'm going to enjoy it; despite not being happy with "the system."

To do this, anytime I'm feeling a bit down about my circumstances, I try to get myself into the present moment. I think, this is the ONLY 9:05am on June 30th, 2011 that I will EVER live. This place where I am at, this chair that I am sitting in, this air that I am breathing... this is it. This is the reality of my life right now; this is the present moment that my soul is living in. And I embrace that, and I smile, and I become happy because I am alive right now in this moment, no matter where I am.

Sooooooo...they don't pay you?

Oh come on! You know what he was trying to say. "Virtually slave" not literally. You have to admit that the way corporate models in the USA are structured...we (the bottom feeders in our cubicles) are paid a token while making the top brass wealthy.

Serious said:

NDRU said:

I was just going to say, I feel much more content having realized that we are not supposed to be happy all the time.

I still wouldn't mind to be happy all the time .

oh, I wouldn't mind, but I no longer expect it

PurpleJedi said:

Genesia said:

Sooooooo...they don't pay you?

Oh come on! You know what he was trying to say. "Virtually slave" not literally. You have to admit that the way corporate models in the USA are structured...we (the bottom feeders in our cubicles) are paid a token while making the top brass wealthy.

Y'know what? I don't buy any of that shit. And it offends me when people who live lives that are by-and-large carefree toss around the word "slave." Slapping "virtual" in front of it actually makes it worse - it shows that they know it's wrong, but they're going to do it, anyway.

If you don't like where you work, work somewhere else. If you don't think what you do for a living is worthwhile, do something else. If you think you aren't fairly compensated, ask for a raise or get trained to do something at which you will earn more.

Let me hip you to something: As long as you think of yourself as a "slave" or a "bottom feeder," that's what you'll be. Because nobody wants to promote (or even be around) someone with a victim mentality or "poor me" attitude.

Except, of course, other victims - who can't do a damn thing for you, anymore than they can do a damn thing for themselves.

Genesia said:

PurpleJedi said:

Oh come on! You know what he was trying to say. "Virtually slave" not literally. You have to admit that the way corporate models in the USA are structured...we (the bottom feeders in our cubicles) are paid a token while making the top brass wealthy.

Y'know what? I don't buy any of that shit. And it offends me when people who live lives that are by-and-large carefree toss around the word "slave." Slapping "virtual" in front of it actually makes it worse - it shows that they know it's wrong, but they're going to do it, anyway.

If you don't like where you work, work somewhere else. If you don't think what you do for a living is worthwhile, do something else. If you think you aren't fairly compensated, ask for a raise or get trained to do something at which you will earn more.

Let me hip you to something: As long as you think of yourself as a "slave" or a "bottom feeder," that's what you'll be. Because nobody wants to promote (or even be around) someone with a victim mentality or "poor me" attitude.

Except, of course, other victims - who can't do a damn thing for you, anymore than they can do a damn thing for themselves.

So then you disagree with the OP's stance that we should be "happy with what we have" and instead strive to resolve our unhappiness through aggressive means?

I actually agree with you.

PurpleJedi said:

Genesia said:

Y'know what? I don't buy any of that shit. And it offends me when people who live lives that are by-and-large carefree toss around the word "slave." Slapping "virtual" in front of it actually makes it worse - it shows that they know it's wrong, but they're going to do it, anyway.

If you don't like where you work, work somewhere else. If you don't think what you do for a living is worthwhile, do something else. If you think you aren't fairly compensated, ask for a raise or get trained to do something at which you will earn more.

Let me hip you to something: As long as you think of yourself as a "slave" or a "bottom feeder," that's what you'll be. Because nobody wants to promote (or even be around) someone with a victim mentality or "poor me" attitude.

Except, of course, other victims - who can't do a damn thing for you, anymore than they can do a damn thing for themselves.

So then you disagree with the OP's stance that we should be "happy with what we have" and instead strive to resolve our unhappiness through aggressive means?

I actually agree with you.

I'm not sure what you mean, but I think we are all (as individuals) are responsible for our own happiness - whatever that entails. If you can make peace with simply accepting what comes to you, fine. If you prefer to make a life, fine.

People who refuse to get off their duffs, pissing and moaning that the world isn't lavishing enough goodies on them, while decrying those who have worked hard to achieve what makes them happy, deserve the

PurpleJedi said:

Machaela said:

Exactly !

And who would want to be happy 100% of every moment anyway ... also honestly, no one IS

Yeah, I guess if you were to walk around with a smile plastered on your face ALL of the time, you would soon be institutionalized.

It would deminish the Human experience

Exactly

NDRU said:

Machaela said:

Exactly !

And who would want to be happy 100% of every moment anyway ... also honestly, no one IS

I was just going to say, I feel much more content having realized that we are not supposed to be happy all the time.

Exactly

Oh shut the hell up Martha!, Lets ask the slave that was cooking her meal that day what she thinks of that quote.

Interesting thread. I have a quote on my closet that reads, "You can be happy right now. Happiness is allowing yourself to be ok with what IS, rather than wishing for, and bemoaning, what is NOT." Happiness is a conscious choice sometimes. I try to be positive. I don't think any human being is happy 100% of the time.

I do also believe some of what others posted, that if something bothers you enough and you have the power to change it, to take steps to do so. I think having a balanced life brings about more happiness. My life right now is unbalanced in the areas of my work and social life. I'm trying to take steps to improve these areas.

PurpleKittyK said:

Interesting thread. I have a quote on my closet that reads, "You can be happy right now. Happiness is allowing yourself to be ok with what IS, rather than wishing for, and bemoaning, what is NOT." Happiness is a conscious choice sometimes. I try to be positive. I don't think any human being is happy 100% of the time.

I do also believe some of what others posted, that if something bothers you enough and you have the power to change it, to take steps to do so. I think having a balanced life brings about more happiness. My life right now is unbalanced in the areas of my work and social life. I'm trying to take steps to improve these areas.

I truly don't believe that it's possible to be happy 100% of the time, regardless of your blessings or station in life.

Work can often be a major source of discontent for people. Moving on and finding a new job is a sure way to resolve that discontent. Yet, as has been stated, people often stay in their cubicle out of fear or laziness. Of course, the economy also plays a major role in that aspect (right now I'd be hard-pressed to find another job paying what I make now in my field) but if this cubicle ever became my prison, I would take the pay cut.

PurpleJedi said:

Genesia said:

Sooooooo...they don't pay you?

Oh come on! You know what he was trying to say. "Virtually slave" not literally. You have to admit that the way corporate models in the USA are structured...we (the bottom feeders in our cubicles) are paid a token while making the top brass wealthy.

But you choose to work there under those conditions.

How should the corporate model in the U.S. be structured?

PurpleJedi said:

PurpleKittyK said:

Interesting thread. I have a quote on my closet that reads, "You can be happy right now. Happiness is allowing yourself to be ok with what IS, rather than wishing for, and bemoaning, what is NOT." Happiness is a conscious choice sometimes. I try to be positive. I don't think any human being is happy 100% of the time.

I do also believe some of what others posted, that if something bothers you enough and you have the power to change it, to take steps to do so. I think having a balanced life brings about more happiness. My life right now is unbalanced in the areas of my work and social life. I'm trying to take steps to improve these areas.

I truly don't believe that it's possible to be happy 100% of the time, regardless of your blessings or station in life.

Work can often be a major source of discontent for people. Moving on and finding a new job is a sure way to resolve that discontent. Yet, as has been stated, people often stay in their cubicle out of fear or laziness. Of course, the economy also plays a major role in that aspect (right now I'd be hard-pressed to find another job paying what I make now in my field) but if this cubicle ever became my prison, I would take the pay cut.

Yes, economically it is not a good time to quit a stable, well-paying job even if it makes one unhappy. I think that is where knowing what you can do in the situation helps. I won't leave my present job until I find a better one, but I am actively looking. I also am trying to think outside of the box as to other job settings I could work in, or even take online courses in another field. I'm trying to be proactive rather than reactive...

Genesia said:

PurpleJedi said:

Oh come on! You know what he was trying to say. "Virtually slave" not literally. You have to admit that the way corporate models in the USA are structured...we (the bottom feeders in our cubicles) are paid a token while making the top brass wealthy.

Y'know what? I don't buy any of that shit. And it offends me when people who live lives that are by-and-large carefree toss around the word "slave." Slapping "virtual" in front of it actually makes it worse - it shows that they know it's wrong, but they're going to do it, anyway.

If you don't like where you work, work somewhere else. If you don't think what you do for a living is worthwhile, do something else. If you think you aren't fairly compensated, ask for a raise or get trained to do something at which you will earn more.

Let me hip you to something: As long as you think of yourself as a "slave" or a "bottom feeder," that's what you'll be. Because nobody wants to promote (or even be around) someone with a victim mentality or "poor me" attitude.

Except, of course, other victims - who can't do a damn thing for you, anymore than they can do a damn thing for themselves.

SUPRMAN said:

PurpleJedi said:

Oh come on! You know what he was trying to say. "Virtually slave" not literally. You have to admit that the way corporate models in the USA are structured...we (the bottom feeders in our cubicles) are paid a token while making the top brass wealthy.

But you choose to work there under those conditions.

How should the corporate model in the U.S. be structured?

More like in other nations, where the difference between the top management and the bottom workers isn't as horrible.

Serious said:

PurpleJedi said:

^^^would be appreciate the happiness without sadness I wonder?

I have experienced enough sadness in my life to appreciate happiness for the rest of it .

That.

PurpleJedi said:

SUPRMAN said:

But you choose to work there under those conditions.

How should the corporate model in the U.S. be structured?

More like in other nations, where the difference between the top management and the bottom workers isn't as horrible.

Examples? What range of differences are we talking about?

PurpleJedi said:

From Yahoo! -

by LBC, on Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:45am PDT

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." - Martha Washington

But in a way, doesn't it say, that you just have to live with the circumstances? I think we should try to be happy with what we have, but in a way I'd strongly advice against just sitting down, giving up and think one have no power over circumstances. Some of course don't, but most of us in the rich part of the west actually does.

And a philosophical question: if you've lived with a set of circumstance your whole life (being oppressed, or a victim of incest) - doesn't that actually inform your ability to make your dispositions? You've essentially been brainwashed by circumstances, that you can't look beyond them; and is it not arrogant then to assume that everyone without help can transcend their place in life?

Hope this didn't come off as arrogant, it wasn't my intention (English is my second language, so..)

Cravens said:

PurpleJedi said:

From Yahoo! -

by LBC, on Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:45am PDT

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." - Martha Washington

But in a way, doesn't it say, that you just have to live with the circumstances? I think we should try to be happy with what we have, but in a way I'd strongly advice against just sitting down, giving up and think one have no power over circumstances. Some of course don't, but most of us in the rich part of the west actually does.

And a philosophical question: if you've lived with a set of circumstance your whole life (being oppressed, or a victim of incest) - doesn't that actually inform your ability to make your dispositions? You've essentially been brainwashed by circumstances, that you can't look beyond them; and is it not arrogant then to assume that everyone without help can transcend their place in life?

Hope this didn't come off as arrogant, it wasn't my intention (English is my second language, so..)

Even when it is about people who have not been through as traumatic circumstances like the ones you described I think it is. And IMO most people don't really live the kind of life they'd want to, but give in (more or less) to the pressure of society and what is expected by them.