<p>Why is enthusiasm so vital in life? (I sort of know the answer to this question, but I just want to know your opinion.)</p>
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<p>–Carole King. About covers it.</p>
<p>my daughter sang that at her high school graduation- it was beautiful :)</p>
<p>A winner, EK. I think I would have had chills. What a wonderful memory.</p>
<p>Life is all about attitude – trite, I know, but unless you’ve experienced real hardship, it’s hard to really understand. The deaths of people you love, illness, job issues and other losses are part of the journey. Most of the time, you don’t get to choose your hardships – but you CAN choose how to respond to them. At a time when her nephew and brother-in-law died in the same month, and our parents were both very ill (they both died within 3 months of each other later that year) my sister was asked how she could stand all of this. Her reply was, “I don’t have a choice.” But she is the most fun-loving, optimistic person you’d ever meet. Our family motto is now to party whenever possible --if there is ever a chance to have fun, go for it, because you don’t know what’s around the corner. I guess it’s a variation of Eat, Drink and Be Merry, for Tomorrow You Shall Have None.</p>
<p>great post sjmom
I have been watching the series * six feet under* possibly to help think about all the deaths of loved ones that I have experience that I am still affected by - and I find it catharic- none of us get out of this world alive- we each are given the same 24 hours everyday- some just get more out of it.
( i have reread Angels without Wings by Jane Vonnegut Yarmolinsky- to help me regain my perspective- amazing book- true story of a family who adopted four nephews who were orphaned when their parents died in unrelated incidents- they already had three children of their own- very recommended)</p>
<p>I agree with sjmom. I realized after a time I was going about my life the wrong way. My happiness was dependant on my circumstances, so if something went wrong it ruined my day, week, etc. Once I started changing my attitude, doing everything with enthusiasm, not only did I become a happier person, but others noticed the change in me, my grades went back up, and I liked myself more. I try to find humour in situations where there isn’t much because laughing is what really makes me happy. That’s why I believe enthusiasm is important- it gives you reason to go on from day to day.</p>
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celebrian~, this is a wonderful insight and you are wise and fortunate to have discovered it at age 17. I hope it will spread from you to all of your peers.</p>
<p>a very wise friend (a rabbi) once told me, after meeting the Dalai Lama, that he could see the holiness in him, and in people in general, by seeing how much they laughed and smiled. The ones who were really, really “getting it” about the important things in life and who were the most spiritually advanced would always be quick to laugh, quick to be delighted, quick to be joyful.</p>