As part of a competition, I have been asked to write about something I wish I could pass onto my children that is infinite.
As I usually swear at least once when I blog, and I guess it’s almost expected of me, I best get this out of the way straight up. Infinite – I could look up the meaning in the dictionary or I could just give it my own definition – Forfuckingever. Endless, never ending. Infinite.
The obvious answer here is money right? I mean, once you’ve got infinite money, you can pretty much buy infinite anything. Infinite houses. Infinite cars. Infinite bottles of Champagne.
The problem with money though, is that you can’t buy true friends. You can’t online shop for a genuine hug from a partner who loves you and you certainly cannot buy the all elusive HAPPINESS.
So, kids, if I could wish you one thing that would never run out, it is Happiness. Because without it, life can kinda suck.
Take for instance the founder of Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg. Now this guy is worth billions of dollars. He can have anything he wants. But the one thing he lost when chasing his business so passioniately, was his best friend. That is irreparable. With all of his money, he still cannot buy the happiness that having a best friend can bring.
So, Tip number one of Infinite Happiness kids: find a friend who is your best. Who loves you for what and who you are. If you are extremely lucky, you will find this person early. If not, you will know them when you meet them. It will be feel like you are in love, but without the awkward pash.
Tip Two. Find a partner. One who adores you for just being you and that you adore, equally. This will happen when it will happen. Don’t rush it, don’t push it and please don’t expect it. An open heart will allow the right person in when the time is right.
Tip Three. Work at what your love. Find out what interests you. Is it animals? Writing? Building Stuff? Knocking down stuff? Cooking? Cleaning, Drawing? Whatever it is, work towards getting yourself into that area as your job. I know it’s clichéd, but if you are doing what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.
Tip Four. Be Kind. Be Patient. Be Compassionate. Treat others as you would like to be treated and if people are arseholes, remember it’s on them, not you. You can only do what you can do. Some people will be jealous, horrible, egotistical, vain, or just plain mean, but this does not give you licence to return this behaviour in kind.
Tip Five. Give in. Surrender. There is no answer. Happiness is what makes you happy, not Mr Jones down the street. Clipping his grass beyond an inch of its life may very well be what floats his boat, and good for him, he’s found his happiness. You find yours, and as long as it’s not illegal, do all you can to cradle and it and keep it safe.
That's all I've got. Infinite happiness 101.
Good luck little ones, life is just beginning.
27 comments:
Love it! So very, very true. Of course, I'm guessing my children would need to hear it from someone other than me to believe it. LOL
Love that piece of wisdome on infinite, money, friendship and happiness. I think the secret to happiness is to not have high expectations, lower your expectations and the surprises when things are better will make you happy. Money can't buy friends and can't buy happiness but it can smooth the road a little.
So beautiful and something for us all to remember as we head full steam into Christmas. x
Great great post and fuckingreat advice!
It reminds me of this quote by the singer Bill Withers, it's what he told his kids:
"You can’t get to wonderful without passing through “all right.” And when you get to “all right,” take a good look around and familiarize yourself with things, because that may be all you are capable of. And that’s all right."
beautiful blog you have here!
Beautiful post, very useful for me at this point in my life, when I am looking for happiness and feeling a bit lost in the process.
You are always so good at writing, either funny or serious subject.
Have a great week my dear! Thanks for your insights!
Love!
In my life it is the friends who I know are there even when they can't be that kept me going when times were bad bad bad. And that gave me happiness.
Great post Bern. Funny thing happiness - you can't buy it, you can't expect it, you can't look for it (sorry Elizabeth Gilbert). It just is. And it's different for everyone. A lovely thing to have infinite amounts of.
Hey Bern,
Beautiful post - wonderful advice - i hope your kids read it! Maybe not Jack yet but that will come... Doing what makes you happy is the best thing - as you said provided it is not illegal or you can move to somewhere where it isn't....
Keep smiling
Wx
Great advice for us all Bern not just your kids. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Yup. Terrific post, Bern. I agree with Al, too, in that happiness is something you can't force through expectations. It is most definitely something like a butterfly, that will light on your shoulder when you least expect it. And a beautiful thing to wish infinite amounts of for our children. x
I'm with you Bern. I want to see that sparkle of happiness in my children's eyes for infinity. To know their hearts are full of love for themselves, for others and from those who love them, makes me content. x
Love it! Thanks for taking the time to write it! xx
Lovely post Bern, perhaps we should have all wished infinite listening skills for our kids so they will heed such good advice ;)
Awesome post - I couldn't have written it better myself (no, seriously, you would write circles round me). I think I'll just send my kids here when they start reading past 3-letter words ;)
Excellent post Berna!!!
That was pretty much the one thing I kept telling my kids over and over and thankfully they are doing what makes them happy.
Great advice for anyone really!!!
:)
Lovely post Bern, you wise woman you!
I agree--lots of adults would do well to follow those words as well. :) Well put.
Perfect. x
You've summed that up wonderfully.
What a lovely post. Can I steal it and pass all that advice on to my children?
Third time trying to comment ... beautiful post, and it's what I also hope to share with my kids. xo
Bern is the starriest star in all of stardom.
Great post. Perfect. X
Infinite happiness 101. That's a course I think we should all sign up for. Thanks for this Bern. Awesome post.
That's great! Good for all!
Thanx for bring a very wise woman :) truly Bern you have "book" written all over this blog.your insightful and 'just right' statements are
A. M. A. Z. I. N. G.
I see you as a role model I can only try to emulate.
You are so grounded and wise. You never fail to make me smile and nod. Love your work Bern. Happiness 101 is perfect. xx
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