help

Years ago, there was a "Friends" episode in which Phoebe argued that there are no selfless acts because when we do something nice for someone else we feel good about ourselves.

Today, I was watching "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction." David Letterman and Jerry Seinfeld were discussing the same concept. Dave suggested that helping or entertaining others is selfish because it makes you feel good about yourself. Jerry argued that helping or entertaining others is the most important thing you can do because you are doing something that makes others happy, and that is the greatest pursuit.

In "The Book of Joy" by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, they suggest that the best way to happiness is in helping others.

This blog is my attempt to help others feel happy.

So, enjoy the moments you can and help others do the same.

utopia

In the not-so-distant future the world will be unbelievably different. In a good way.

Every human will be kind and respectful. We will smile at strangers as they walk by us. We will value our family and friends and show how much we care in our words and actions. Not only will we venture outside our groups of like-minded people, but we will actively seek out people of differing views in an effort to expand our understanding.

Every human will strive to improve themselves and the world around them. Conflicts will arise as we compete to accomplish more than has ever been seen previously. We will work together to solve the problems we face. We will play to our strengths and help each other discover and develop every asset we possess.

We will ensure that every human has enough food, clothing and shelter, even if some have more than others. We will treasure animals, plants and natural resources. We will study, experiment and discuss the science and history of our planet as well as the mind and body of all humans and other creatures.

May 2019 see the beginning of such a utopia! We must dream big!

take care

With all the problems in our lives and around the world, the most important thing we can do every day is take care of ourselves. If we are not content, satisfied and healthy, it's very hard to help anyone else.

Taking care of ourselves is often complicated. Our mental state is most important. Being able to think clearly and contentedly is often not an easy task. Sometimes we need help in the form of family and friends, counseling and even medication. Some people meditate, listen to music, watch TV and movies, write or express their feelings through art, exercise. Each of us need to find whatever works to feel strong enough to get through each day.

Taking care of our physical health is also essential. For some people that simply means eating healthy foods, and getting enough sleep and exercise. As we age, lots of little things start going wrong with our bodies as they were not meant to last forever. For people with disabilities like mine, staying healthy is a whole lot of work. Whatever you can do to stay healthy and prevent problems, the easier life will be.

Caring for ourselves also includes finding things we enjoy that can help us earn a living, that might benefit the world around us and that keep us feeling content.

Wishing you the motivation to do all you can to take care of yourself. You are special and important. You deserve to be as happy and healthy as you can.

Fred Rogers

I recently watched "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" I highly recommend it if you have any affection for Fred Rogers and the show so many of us grew up watching.

The biggest realization I had was that Mr. Rogers built my self-esteem as surely as my mother and grandmother did. I have given my family all the credit, but Mr. Rogers said a lot of the same things. He told me I was likable and special. He told us all the same thing. I can only hope that other viewers felt the same self-esteem building that I did.

The documentary was on DVD. But you can also see many old episodes of his PBS show on Amazon Prime Video. If you need a little self-esteem pick me up, check out one of those episodes. Whether you are a child or an adult, his message remains the same.

You are special and important!

prayers

On the TV show "One Mississippi" they talked about prayers –

God loves all his children but he gives more to the ones who communicate with him.

Hmm… I'm not sure what I think about that. How about you?

the more we learn, the less we know

On a TV show, "Being Erica" as seen on Amazon Prime, they said, "the more we learn, the less we know." I had to pause to understand it.

I think one of our purposes on earth is to learn as much as we can. And my first thought is that as we learn, we know more and can use better actions.

I guess what the TV writer meant was that the more we learn we realize how much more we still don't know. But that's a good thing. It gives us motivation to keep learning and the idea that it is a never-ending process. We should never be so confident to think we "know it all."

So, go forth and learn all you can! Enjoy the process!

the people in our lives

A beautiful way of reminding us to be grateful for the people in our lives:

In our time upon this Earth; So few, the souls, we may come to know; Embrace them as dearly as you can...

(from Espiritu del Alma)