"Who moved my Cheese ?"

Sid wanted me to read this book for sometime now. It is a simple yet inspirational story, all in metaphors, the kind I like. It is a small book that can be completed in an hour or so but it consists of so many things that one can relate too.

In it cheese is a metaphor for all things we want, be it a better job, better life, better relationship, better health or just a better self or anything for that matter which, when had we think it would make us happy. But when we get what we want, atleast when I get what I want I become complacent and not only that I also take for granted what I got.

These are the things the story and the underlying motive behind the story warns us about. And when things dont go my way I complain, that is when I dont get my cheese I complain, sulk, get depressed. But time and again I have seen for myself that in the end I have always gotten better cheese. I am unhappy that I did not graduate earlier, but if I had I would not have been working in the field I am now, which I enjoy, not in the company I am with, which I like and not for the boss I am working for, from whom I get to learn so much.

All my failed relationships, in retrospect failed for the best, I cannot imagine myself being with any of those people.

Also I am very resistant to change, dont want to move myself from my comfort zone. One good example for that is the job I had with M. Instead of just continuing with her I could have made an effort to go look for a new assistantship in another department. And most other departments had better paying jobs and would have been less taxing in terms of time as well as emotional well being.

Another lesson I learned and I am yet to put into practice is not to take myself seriously. I take myself way too seriously, I should just lighten up a little bit and goof around. Laugh at myself and let go of negative emotions.

I know all this is not going to happen overnight, and it wont be easy to steer way from my comfort zone of emotions even if they are negative. I just hope I make the concious effort...Good Luck to meeeeeeeee

"Dont work so much"

I was told this today by my Boss. I am not sure how to take it. I have gotten into the habit of trying to finish off the things I start during the day well into the evening. Today my Boss told me, if it is not crucial conserve your energy.There is no need to do stuff in the evenings.

How shall I take it. Is it him being an effective manager or is there anything not so good behind it.

Happiness: Circumstances Vs State of Mind

Happiness : a state of well-being and contentment (Merriam-Webster)

"In the Nicomachean Ethics, written in 350 B.C.E., Aristotle stated that happiness is the only thing that humans desire for its own sake. He observed that men sought riches not for the sake of being rich, but to be happy. Those who sought fame desired it not to be famous, but because they believed fame would bring them happiness." (Wikipedia)

I have often observed myself in this context. What makes me happy and what all makes me sad.

If I go by the definition of the state of well-being and contentment and go by its literal meaning, then it is not the same. I have always been in a state of well-being, good health, comfortable life-style, but contentment. Never. Atleast not for an extended period of time. It is so easy for me to be sad. To want things out of life and want some more than to say enough.

I wish for things, and when I get them I am not as happy as I imagine I would be. Case in point my degree. I have wanted it forever, but when I finally had it in my hand, I was not ecstatic like I thought I would be. Why is it. Aristotle's thoughts about hapiness seems to partially apply. Yes, happiness for its one sake but after achieving things does that result in hapiness, no.

The only thing that has made me truly happy ever are children, water and woods.I am a very materialistic person still like all such things I want them and once I get them it loses its value.

So in all this am I unhappy because I still have so many things that I want and dont have or is it just me. My own real and perceived insecutrities. My own fear and mistrust. My inability to find joy in what I have and the ability to want everything I dont have adds to my worries.

I know anti-depressants can work wonders on me, but I am very prone to addiction. I dont want to start something I cannot handle.

Until I find happiness I think I should just keep myself busy with my pursuit of happiness....... Or like the PROMISES Message I found in my DOVE candy "Don't think about it so much"