Decades ago, a guy named Norman Cousins (I think) wrote about the restorative power of laughter in the midst of pain and sickness. I suspect that applies to all aspects of life. When one of our sons was going through a really hard time, I decided advice wasn’t what he needed, so I just randomly started texting him a dad joke every day. I felt we had turned a corner when he started texting corny jokes to me. It’s good to see him laugh.
True joy comes from knowing Jesus. It stays, and is a PART of you. Worldly joy comes and goes like the tide, and you have to make a conscious effort for it.
Joy is infectious, so is gloom. Attitude is important. It is up to us all to make our lives better or worse in what we choose to project to others. Laugh and the world laughs with you.
I am lucky to lunch with my favorite adult child about every 4 to 6 weeks. After, when I walk home, I feel so uplifted. We laugh, we talk, we catch up on what’s been happening. So joyful.
But considering the lymbic system is a an autonomic function, well, we really don’t get to choose our emotional state. Though we can control how they effect our actions.
Also don’t pursue this line with people suffering from depression.
Shrinks keep telling us that a sunny attitude helps us live better and longer. But as Wallace Stevens says in his poem “Sunday Morning”, “But when the birds are gone, and their warm fields Return no more, where, then, is paradise?”
I woke up late this morning and was annoyed at myself because I had several important things to do today. Then, over a bowl of “cereal artesanal” with dried apple and “jarabe de agave”, a wild hail and rainstorm blew up, and I was so grateful that I was still inside my warm, cozy apartment.
It’s Friday for goodness sake! If you can’t be happy about the weekend coming up, you must have a wife and a long honey-do list. I’m kidding. I’m kidding. It’s a summer weekend. Be happy and enjoy it!
I disagree with Pig and his nonsensical statement, that one can choose to be joyous. Like other mantras from the American positive psychology cult, it is a hollow approach to life. For example, to be joyous implies to feel joy, and who has any control on one’s feelings? They come unbidden. On the other hand, you can’t think yourself into feeling joyous anymore than you can fall in love by just thinking about it. On the other, to consider one’s feelings under any given circumstance and learn from them is, to me, a more productive approach.
LilPeruna about 2 months ago
It IS allowed, and don’t call me Shirley!
BasilBruce about 2 months ago
People like Pig scare me.
Johnny Q Premium Member about 2 months ago
Pig no longer holds balloons…
The dude from FL Premium Member about 2 months ago
Probably had ham and eggs for breakfast
Qiset about 2 months ago
Probably going to need a license.
blunebottle about 2 months ago
I’m with Pig on this one.
Robin Harwood about 2 months ago
You are quite right, Rat. It isn’t allowed.
c001 about 2 months ago
Rat is German… I never knew.
cracker65 about 2 months ago
Good attitude pig
tomevansphd about 2 months ago
Try convincing all the ‘Rain on Paraders’ out there! My two cents!
Doug K about 2 months ago
“Oh, what a glorious day!” Pig should get together with Verne (from Pearls Before Swine) and his gut bacteria today.
Doug K about 2 months ago
It’s not always easy, but choosing to find joy in whatever your circumstances are can help not only you, but others around you.
Frog-on-a-Log Premium Member about 2 months ago
This is why Pig is my favorite.
KC135E/R BOOMER about 2 months ago
Now I cannot tunes from Oklahoma! out of my head. You’re welcome, everyone…
iggyman about 2 months ago
Not allowed in Rat’s world anyway!
iggyman about 2 months ago
Ignorance is bliss?!
cdward about 2 months ago
Decades ago, a guy named Norman Cousins (I think) wrote about the restorative power of laughter in the midst of pain and sickness. I suspect that applies to all aspects of life. When one of our sons was going through a really hard time, I decided advice wasn’t what he needed, so I just randomly started texting him a dad joke every day. I felt we had turned a corner when he started texting corny jokes to me. It’s good to see him laugh.
win.45mag about 2 months ago
True joy comes from knowing Jesus. It stays, and is a PART of you. Worldly joy comes and goes like the tide, and you have to make a conscious effort for it.
jbmlaw01 about 2 months ago
Pig understands Niebuhr’s “Serenity Prayer”
monya_43 about 2 months ago
Joy is infectious, so is gloom. Attitude is important. It is up to us all to make our lives better or worse in what we choose to project to others. Laugh and the world laughs with you.
juicebruce about 2 months ago
Croc Power !
Doug K about 2 months ago
“Oh, what a glorious day!” Pig should get together with Verne (from Over the Hedge) and his gut bacteria today.
mrwiskers about 2 months ago
I am lucky to lunch with my favorite adult child about every 4 to 6 weeks. After, when I walk home, I feel so uplifted. We laugh, we talk, we catch up on what’s been happening. So joyful.
Jesquire about 2 months ago
People who think this way are dangerous.
[Traveler] Premium Member about 2 months ago
You can choose to be happy, or gloomy
Ellis97 about 2 months ago
Pig is that ray of sunshine we all could use.
bestframeforward Premium Member about 2 months ago
Pig is my spirit animal :)
ajr58(1) about 2 months ago
Reminds me of the ending in the movie, Brazil.
wirepunchr about 2 months ago
“That boy ain’t right!”
Huckleberry Hiroshima about 2 months ago
You have to allow it.
Goat from PBS about 2 months ago
Awww, Pig is such a ray of sunshine.
Croc Holliday about 2 months ago
Nothing is ever so bad that it can’t get worse.
zwilnik64 about 2 months ago
Look, pig’s discovered stoicism.
But considering the lymbic system is a an autonomic function, well, we really don’t get to choose our emotional state. Though we can control how they effect our actions.
Also don’t pursue this line with people suffering from depression.
rossevrymn about 2 months ago
I don’t know if I can stay at “Joyful,” but I do a pretty good job of “Hopeful Shalom.”
mindjob about 2 months ago
Misery loves company
klapre about 2 months ago
Pastis must have a bet with someone as to how many comments will mention Shirley. Why else would he tee it up so well for us?
Mary Ellen about 2 months ago
Easier said than done some days, but I try.
oish about 2 months ago
The rose colored glasses are strong with this one.
Ina Tizzy about 2 months ago
“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs” you aren’t paying attention.
eekahler about 2 months ago
A lovely sentiment. I try this all the time.
[Unnamed Reader - bddb15] about 2 months ago
GBPig!
elgrecousa Premium Member about 2 months ago
Shrinks keep telling us that a sunny attitude helps us live better and longer. But as Wallace Stevens says in his poem “Sunday Morning”, “But when the birds are gone, and their warm fields Return no more, where, then, is paradise?”
KEA about 2 months ago
It is… but of course, if things are bad enough, you’ll get tossed in a looney bin.
pheets about 2 months ago
Depends on who you are standing next to.
zeexenon about 2 months ago
Isn’t his name Goat?
MarshaOstroff about 2 months ago
I woke up late this morning and was annoyed at myself because I had several important things to do today. Then, over a bowl of “cereal artesanal” with dried apple and “jarabe de agave”, a wild hail and rainstorm blew up, and I was so grateful that I was still inside my warm, cozy apartment.
Curiosity Premium Member about 2 months ago
Try it! You’ll like it! Or, well, in your case maybe not.
willie_mctell about 2 months ago
Sometimes people will think you’re either nuts, high, or faking.
wordsmeet about 2 months ago
So Goat’s secret name is Shirley?
smartman about 2 months ago
It’s Friday for goodness sake! If you can’t be happy about the weekend coming up, you must have a wife and a long honey-do list. I’m kidding. I’m kidding. It’s a summer weekend. Be happy and enjoy it!
wildlandwaters about 2 months ago
I dunno what Pig’s on, but I gotta get me sum a that!
Strawberry King about 2 months ago
Oh, but it is.
eddi-TBH about 2 months ago
The joy comes from knowing others will never understand.
markkahler52 about 2 months ago
True freedom is freedom from the heart’s desires…true Happiness… this way lies…
blindavocado Premium Member about 2 months ago
People are as happy as they choose to be-Abraham Lincoln
wordsmeet 4 days ago
I disagree with Pig and his nonsensical statement, that one can choose to be joyous. Like other mantras from the American positive psychology cult, it is a hollow approach to life. For example, to be joyous implies to feel joy, and who has any control on one’s feelings? They come unbidden. On the other hand, you can’t think yourself into feeling joyous anymore than you can fall in love by just thinking about it. On the other, to consider one’s feelings under any given circumstance and learn from them is, to me, a more productive approach.