Quote Journal: Happiness

"You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy." -Eric Hoffer

This quote really speaks to materialism and peoples' collecting (or boasting) about things to make themselves happy. I agree with Mr. Hoffer in that it doesn't work that way.

The intangibles are what make us happy. The love, laughter, trust, loyalty, and memories make us happy. And I also think that happiness is a choice. A HARD choice but nonetheless, a choice.

So I'm deciding to be happy today...Despite the fact that my house is still in limbo, I didn't get a lick of work accomplished today (or this week) at work, and I'm pretty sure I will have to fire another employee on Monday (my third). Because you know what? I'm still alive and kickin', Jack is in Chicago with me this weekend, we have plans to "just hang out," and may visit the beach nearby this weekend. Oh! And my new book on Chicago mobster history arrived today! It was $3.39 used and I cannot wait to curl up on my chaise lounger and read about mob history in the sun!

Yes, I'm a gangster history geek. Urban history interests me, too. I recently discovered that I have a slight affinity for Great Lakes shipwrecks! I'm currently reading The Great Bridge by James McCullough and it's just fascinating. Along with my $3.39 book on mob history, I also picked up another history book about the settlement of Chicago back in the mid 1800's. That book was $4.25 used. The reason why I'm posting the prices for my new books is because I just finished telling you how happiness cannot be captured by acquiring stuff!

Hypocrisy! Heresy!

In all seriousness, it still feels like I'm being torn apart by my life. But today, I'm choosing to change my attitude and rebel by joking around with Jack and reading mob history on my deck!