I posted this on our Grandpa Rue blog, but thought I would share it here as well. I've been thinking about this because someone shared some happiness with me yesterday at work and it made me think of this lesson. (BTW: this is not OUR truck, but looks just like it. I posted this picture to remind me about this story.)
One day in our visiting, Dad shared a thought with me that has stuck with me. Every time this situation comes up I think about what he said. I don't remember the situation of why this conversation came up, if we were just talking or experiencing it, but it stuck with me.
We were talking about feeling joy because of other's happiness. I remember him saying that so many times he would hear something similar to this conversation:
A: I see you have a new car.
B: Yeah, I sure needed it and isn't it nice?
A: Where did you get all the money?
B: I got a loan like every one else does. Now I have to pay it off.
A: Wish I could afford one.
Or this conversation:
A: We just got our plans finalized for a vacation that we want to take.
B: Wish I could go on a vacation. We never get to do anything. I don't want to hear about your vacation.
Dad then went on to talk about how many times he listened to similar exchanges. One person so excited they wanted to share their happiness, and the other person not wanting to hear about it because of jealousy. He told about one time he had heard that a certain man in town had a new truck. When he saw that man Dad remarked that he had been told about the new truck. Dad asked to see it, and made a fuss over the inside, the color, etc. The guy seemed thrilled to be able to share his new "toy" with someone. After the happy exchange, the guy told Dad that he was the first person to ask to see the truck. The happy owner then went on to say how he had been made to feel like a bad person through everyone else's apparent jealousy about his truck. He said he bought a new truck because he needed one, could afford it, and got a good deal. Why did other's feel he shouldn't be happy about it, take his happiness away, or put such a damper on it all?
Our conversation when on to discuss how we need to be happy for other people's happiness. That includes not saying you are "jealous" but "glad" or "happy for them". Let them talk about the good things in their lives so they will feel they can also share the bad or hard times.
I remember sitting there in the kitchen (of course, that is where all the good conversations took place), and hearing him talk about that man's new truck, and being happy for him. Something I remember when "Good Things Happen."
Now, that being said, I want to go on a vacation! Can't wait until April when USEA is in St. George. Yes, it is a week earlier than usual for some reason, but that is good because we need it sooner! I keep thinking, "St. George, 50 degrees, no snow, palm trees, just sitting around doing nothing., good friends,..good book to read," Sounds good to me. USEA in May was always right in the middle of testing weeks at school, which made it difficult to decide just which days to test. Now, being a week earlier, I can relax before the pressures of the great and abominable test.
We still have snow and more snow is falling now. Will it ever stop? Be happy with us.
6 comments:
I am happy for you. I am glad that you get to get away. You don't have any kids and you can sit and read a book and not get bothered. That is cool. Maybe you could extend an extra day and take it easy just a little longer. You also are in the season of your life when you can and that is always good. As I have gotten older I have realized the true meaning of "to everything there is a time and a season" or something like that. I have especially noticed it since the kids have gotten older I have moved from the baby season, and I am done with that and moving on to the young children season and with Lexi the Tween season. And you are in a season that you are able to do just that.....relax and read a book.
I think a vacation is a good idea. I know I want one and know that YOU deserve one. Sometimes I think the converstaions happen of jealous or whatever they are happy for that person. It sometimes just feels that wants can be a good thing. Especially when the desire is righteous. and frankly juding is a sad part of life. Even being content where you re there are always ways to see something else. Have a good vacation.
I don't know if I "deserve" a vacation any more than anyone else. I didn't do anything that anyone else hasn't done, so if I deserve one, so does anyone and everyone. I just want to get away from the snow, clouds, and dreary looking trees. Perhaps it is like Tammy said, it is that season of our life when we can just take off.
I know when we had kids we did go to USEA meetings once a month, but was that a vacation, 4 kids in a hotel room? I don't think so :) But it WAS fun and an experience to remember. The only vacation we ever took was to Yellowstone when you were all how old? And California when you were all in high school....ok jr. high for Nicky. The first vacation I can remember Dad and I taking alone after kids came, was after kids were grown and gone and we went to Las Vegas for 3 days. Missouri and Arizona to visit kids are the only vacations we have had. I wish someone was in Arizona so I could leave here and go to the palm trees! I am ready about right now.
Arizona does sound nice right about now. I often wonder what has brought us back here.
It might be the wonderful, cool weather! Which is what I want....cool, not cold. This winter in Utah hasn't been fun.
I agree, now that I have three kids of my own, that spending the night in a hotel is NOT a vacation....I say this as I look forward to our time at Disney World...Oh no. You will just have to read a book for me while you are at it because I won't be able to while we are on our trip. Do you know my son Koy? I don't need to say any more about that.
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