When asked, “Are we having fun yet?” a friend of mine used to say, “No. I had fun once and it was nothing like this.”

My question for you today is - Are you having fun? If not, why not? Isn’t being successful all about being happy? Isn’t being happy having fun?

Maybe you haven’t thought of it this way but whatever you think of, when you think about that magical word “Success,” all boils down to being happier. Let’s examine that for a minute.

Let’s say you consider being wealthy your measure of success. Why do you want to be wealthy? - Isn’t it so you can do what you want to do and own what you want to own?

Why do you want to have the luxury of being able to do and own what you want? Isn’t it to be happy?

When you get down to basics, it’s really all about being happy and, to me being happy means having fun!

Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, “It’s been my experience that most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” He was right. Whether you are happy or not is not dictated to you by your circumstances. Whether you are happy or not is your opinion of your circumstances.

Most people look at their job as something they have to do and therefore not fun. Because of that, they think that, someday they’ll be able to retire and then, “be happy.” Others seem to be happy every day doing things that most of us consider disgusting.

I once knew a “garbage man” the guy who followed the truck around and dumped the customers’ cans into the truck. I asked him how he could stand such an awful job. His reply was, “I enjoy it. I get to be outside all day without a boss hanging over my shoulder. I stay in good shape. Don’t need to pay for a membership to a health spa. The pay is good. I meet interesting people and see what’s going on all over town. What’s so bad about my job?”

You see, it’s not the circumstances that make you happy it’s your opinion of the circumstances! - Your attitude. It’s whether you’re having fun doing what you’re doing.

I used to drink too much. Many would say I was (or am) an alcoholic. In my drinking days, I’d spend all day being miserable just waiting for the day to be over so I could go to the bar and “be happy.”

When I finally decided I’d had enough - that alcohol was running (and ruining) my life, I realized that I would have to find something else to do to make me happy. I’d have to find a new kind of fun. I sat down and went through a list of things that I liked to do. It brought me to some unusual conclusions.

Unlike many (most?) people I loved to write. I enjoy studying a subject and then writing about it. I believe I’m good at it. Whether you agree with me or not doesn’t matter! You’re reading this aren’t you?

What’s important is that I’m doing what makes me happy! It’s as simple as that.

I’ve also had other jobs over the years, some of which I detested at the time. Looking back at those I didn’t like, I’ve realized that the reason I didn’t like them was because of my attitude about them at the time. One job in particular that I thought I wouldn’t like was a big surprise to me. I took a job on a farm as a “hired hand.”

My days on the farm turned into my “garbage man’s,” dream job. I’d always loved being outdoors. I was young enough to enjoy physical challenges. I like variety.

Farming gave me all that. One day we’d be “bucking bales.” the next plowing a field of cutting weeds out of a fence row. Some of the time I’d be feeding livestock. Sometimes I’d spend hours alone in a field or sometimes be working all day with the rest of the crew.

My days on the farm became one of my best memories. I loved it - all except for the pay. You may find that kind of work detestable but, to me, it was great.

What made it great? My attitude about it.

I’ve been rambling here. It’s been fun though. The point I’m trying to drive home is: You can enjoy almost anything if you have the right attitude about it!

Do you have a job you hate? Try making a game out of it. Think about how you can compete with yourself to get the tasks you don’t like to do done faster and/or more efficiently. Change your demeanor. Instead of being glum and complaining, be cheerful. Don’t complain. Instead, laugh about the things that “get your goat.” You’ll be amazed at how much more pleasant your working hours will be with just a simple “attitude adjustment.”

When someone asks you, “Are you having fun yet?” answer with a resounding “YES!“

Be Happy Now!

Duane

P.S. I broke all the “rules” of writing a good post today, but it was lots of fun.

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