I Get Knocked Down but I Get up Again! You're Never Gonna Keep me Down!
Posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2010
by Ingrid Weir
http://www.facebook.com/ingritaweir
This has been my mantra since the late 90s. Now, from time to time, I have been made fun of for my optimism; sometimes even being accused of being a bit of a flake because I always look on the bright side of things. This is okay with me. I prefer to see the glass as half full, but Ill still look around for where Im going to find more water when it is empty.
It had not even dawned on me, though, that it wasn’t really me, who was feeling this... it was my brain, which was acting as a sponge that seemed to absorb all of the negativity that it encountered.
So, what did I do?
What anyone would do! I went to my music library and played me some Chumbawamba… this would definitely be my theme song! Go ahead… you can use it, for yourself, too, if you like.
We’ll pretend like you aren’t already singing it in your head…
He sings the songs that remind him of the good times
He sings the songs that remind him of the better times
" Dont cry for me next door neighbor... "
I Get Knocked Down
But I Get up Again!
Youre never Gonna Keep me Down!
Well be singing
When were winning
Well be singing
See, the way I look at it, being pessimistic doesn’t do anyone any good, does it? Doing something about it does. If you cannot do anything about it, do something else that you can change. It is the same concept as the Serenity Prayer…
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
The Serenity Prayer
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next, Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr
Here are a few of many of the uplifting quotes that I like to read over whenever I’m feeling down… along with Tubthumping, of course. Among other things…
Try not to smile while Tubthumping... I dare you.
“Finding happiness is like finding yourself. You do not find happiness. You make happiness. You choose happiness. Self-actualization is a process of discovering who you are, who you want to be and paving the way to happiness by doing what brings YOU the most meaning and contentment to your life over the long run. "
- David Leonhardt
“True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
- Helen Keller
" You will never be happier than you expect. To change your happiness, change your expectation. "
- Bette Davis
“Hope is itself a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness, which this world affords. "
- Samuel Johnson
“Happiness is mans greatest aim in life. Tranquility and rationality are the cornerstones of happiness. "
- Epicurus
“Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself. "
- Og Mandino
“Happiness is contagious... when you reflect happiness, then all others around you catch the happy bug and are happy, too. "
- Jennifer Leese
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. "
- Mahatma Gandhi
“Happiness is an inner state of well being. A state of well being enables you to profit from your highest: thoughts, wisdom, intelligence, common sense, emotions, health, and spiritual values in your life. "
- Lionel Ketchian
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. "
- Thich Nhat Hanh
“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. "
- Hugh Downs
“Happiness aint a thing in itself--it’s only a contrast with something that ain’t pleasant. "
- Mark Twain
“I give thanks for the joy and happiness in life and trust that God does indeed want me to be happy. "
- Marty Varnadoe Dow
“Happiness comes only from appreciating what you have right now. You can even be happy by appreciating your troubles because they are helping to build your character. "
- Harriet Meyerson
“It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves and it is not possible to find it elsewhere. "
- Agnes Rippler
“Happiness is mostly a by-product of doing what makes us feel fulfilled. "
- Dr. Benjamin Spock
“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. "
- Buddha
“Happiness is the only good. The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to make others so. "
- Robert G. Ingersoll
“Happiness is not in having or being—it is in the doing. "
- Lillian Watson
“The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances. "
- Martha Washington
“Happiness is a thing to be practiced, like the violin. "
- John Lubbock
“Happiness for me is to know that my life has meaning and purpose, and that every day my life touches others in a positive way--whether to make them laugh or learn or both at once! "
- Deanna Mascle
“To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content. "
- Confucius
“Happiness is something you get as a by-product in the process of making something else. "
- Aldous Huxley
“Whoever is happy will make others happy, too. "
- Mark Twain
“Happiness can be defined, in part at least, as the fruit of the desire and ability to sacrifice what we want now for what we want eventually. "
- Stephen Covey
Whatever the reason for your mood, I hope you will always take the time to look on the bright side of things. Remember that whether you believe you can or you believe you cannot, you’re right... and if all else fails, repeat to yourself, “Your opinion of me is none of my business.”
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Hi Ingrid.I had no idea that so many people have spoken so much about happiness. But I suppose I shouldn't be surprised ... it is the most sought after thing. I'm blessed in that I think I was born happy. It doesn't take much to bring me down sometimes, though. But I always spring right back. I take no credit for this.I haven't made as much progress in my horseback riding as I might like (let's not talk about expectations :)). A few days ago, I had a particularly unpleasant ride. But afterward, I realized that I had learned a lot about myself because of it and found the value in it. After that, I did not feel so badly anymore.Thanks for all the marvelous quotes.DianneThanks so much for the kind words, Dianne. I am so glad you are able to bounce back from the lulls and use adversity to enrich your experience here on Earth! Thanks again!
Good Article! I'm a firm believer in Optimism! I believe you're as happy as you make yourself and others! Thanks! ConnieThanks Connie! It's so nice to hear from other optimists, too! :-)
Great... I read this article about two hours ago, and guess what I can't get out of my head.
I don't know if I should thank you for the nice article or flame you for driving me just a tiny bit more insane.
Guess it's better to have this tune rattling around to keep out all the negativity... so, thank you Ingrid.
-RobLol... thanks Robert! It is a good song, and I truly believe that even if it's a crazy/weird song that keeps the negativity out, it is a good thing! :-)
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