PARENTING TIPS FROM THE OLD EDUCATOR
Happy Days Lead to Contentment
If we could avoid daily stress, we’d be more content. The
pressure we feel from stress has an impact on the choices we
make. This actually helps us develop self discipline and
focus on desired outcomes so we can avoid disappointment.
Secure people have a positive attitude and achieve more. The
co-founder of Google, Larry Page, pointed out, “It’s just
common sense that happy people are more productive. There is
a happy and a too happy. Being overly happy doesn’t
guarantee more productivity.”
A survey rated happiness on a scale of 1-10, ten being the
most satisfied. By comparison, those who gave themselves
10’s generally achieved less than those who gave themselves
eight’s. Researchers concluded a small amount of
discontentment provides an edge on anticipation, recognition
and reaction to problems. Those giving themselves eights
didn’t believe everything was perfect and as a result,
worked harder. Page concluded, “It’s best not to be too
pleased with yourself because there is always room for
improvement.”
Children can be pleased with the simplest things. Remember
when the “biggest box” left over at Christmas became the
most popular item? If a child has never had a Popsicle, he
will not yearn for one because he doesn’t know what he’s
missing. A farm boy grows up doing chores 365 days a year.
He is happy and content with what he does to help the
family. He knows no other lifestyle. A city boy given chores
has many distractions and is confused about a variety of
things, including what it takes to be happy.
Those who appear to have everything, including notoriety,
are given a high rating by the “have not’s,” for perceived
happiness. The recent “tell all,” books by Dan Rather,
Barbara Walters and Scott McClellan give us greater insight.
Their lives were filled with turmoil, stress and a tinge of
mistrust and mystery. These highly accomplished and
egotistical authors felt the need to set the record
straight, sought sympathy and wanted to “get back” at former
colleagues.
After Steve Miller turned Chrysler and Bethlehem Steel
around financially, he “needled” Lee Iacocca prior to the
release of his book by saying, “You are going to like some
parts of my book and not other parts.” Iacocca responded
with, “I didn’t even include you in my last book, so we’re
even.” Why do the rich and famous feel the need to get the
last jab? Perhaps it is pride, ego or the need to show the
world they are content?
Children are part of a group placed on earth by accidental
fate at critical moments in time. Each will make an impact
as they attempt to find happiness. Hopefully the book they
write for the record will give testimony to the many happy
and content days they had.
