photo credit: libraryman
"When I was 5 years old, my mom always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy". They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life." ~ Author Unknown
{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
Lance,
You have nailed a recent experience I had with my daughter… her class is studying communities and the careers you find in them. On an exam there was a pretty simple bonus question worth 2 extra points… “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My girl (in Grade 3) printed “I think I want to be a veterinarian because helping animals makes me happy and Daddy says happiness is the key to life.” (Although her spelling was much worse than mine, lol) The mark in the margin was 3/2… the teacher awarded her an extra mark on the bonus question.
Had to share that…
And, as usual, you find the greatest pictures to go along with your posts.
Take care and blessings…
Darren
Darren Sproat´s Last Fabulous Post ..Lest We Forget
Unfortunayely I am only just realising the real meaning of the word happiness! But making up for lost time now! And teaching my 10yr old boy happiness is in the here and now!
Lance this is awesome
In this hustle bustle of life..we have forgotten our core inner child like innocence. Here the author of this little thought brings out the purity of our intentions so beautifully.
Love it. And the pic is gorgeous….so so smiley….
The simplicity of this thought truly brings a smile…and pure happiness
Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s Last Fabulous Post ..Where You Stumble{Inspirational Quote}
You make me happy with all you post.
thanks for the joy and inspiration.
Blessings
Jeanne
Jeanne´s Last Fabulous Post ..Tree of Life written by my dear friend Carole Whynott
This reminds me of an old episode of the Newlywed Game. A wife was asked what she wore to bed each night. She said, “A smile.” The producers of the program didn’t allow that answer because it wasn’t an article of clothing, so she just made something up.
When the husband was asked the same question, he answered, “A smile.” Just as with his wife, the producers told him he needed to answer with an article of clothing. Officially, the couple got the answer wrong, but we all know, they were totally correct.
Just as your quotation shows, life doesn’t have rules, it is what we make it.
Thanks for the Sunday morning mind opener, Lance.
LisaNewton´s Last Fabulous Post ..The Spirit of Los Angeles
Love it!
So many of us go through life with a job that we hate. I did insurance for 20 years…blech! My hubby and I are trying to instill in our son to follow his heart and do what makes him happy!
Hope that you have a great birthday!
Natalia Burleson´s Last Fabulous Post ..Miter Box
Wow, that was such as a simple, profound quote. I can image a teacher’s reaction if a kid were to actually say that to them – embarrassed and slowly walking away…
Tristan Lee´s Last Fabulous Post ..6 Golden Rules for Attracting More Wealth Into Your Life
I read the comment made by Lisa Newton and laughed – that’s fantastic! (A smile… ingenius!)
What a great quote, followed by a fabulous photo. Thank you, Lance, and speaking of HAPPY — HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
A quote I found and have on my blog, which I love as much as this quote you’ve featured here today, is: “I finally figured out that the main reason to be alive is to enjoy it.” Rita Mae Brown
They ought to teach that in schools!
Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s Last Fabulous Post ..$1 Therapy (Awesome Free e-Book)
Oh to be so wise at any age as this 5 year old was! Happy Birthday to you Lance. I hope you have a perfect Sunday
Hilda´s Last Fabulous Post ..Follow your heart
Whoa, good one, Unknown. One wise mama! One wise kid. She teached him good.
Cheerios! For breakfast!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
A very happy quote on a very Happy Birthday!
Enjoy every moment!
Joanna´s Last Fabulous Post ..Sunday School
Lance! I love that quote!
Jess (Fit Chick in the City)´s Last Fabulous Post ..Sneaking in Exercise
Happiness comes and goes with the ebbs and flows of life. The things, situations, etc that make us happy today may bring us sorrow tomorrow, ie all the happy weddings ending in a sad divorce. So I think we need to expand our definition of happiness to include joy, peace (here I am talking of peace in your heart), love. If happiness includes these kind of ideas, then we can all be happy even though we don’t have an i-phone or 102 inch TV. I will tell you Lance, I am happy!
Great post! Little kids’ thoughts are so simple and pure. It’s grown-ups who tend to want to complicate and change things. Happy Birthday, Lance!
Diane AZ´s Last Fabulous Post ..Shadow Shots – at the gardens
Hey Lance. What a PERFECT quote for your birthday today! You are sure understand life and what’s it all about… and all of us are sure blessed by your understanding. Thanks for being YOU… and for sharing your YOU with us. Happy Birthday, Friend!!
(Capital F for a reason!)
What a great thought for the day! Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Jay Schryer´s Last Fabulous Post ..The Dark Side of Music
Hi Lance,
Happy Birthday!!!! Beautiful quote and I totally agree with Diane. As adults we complicate stuff. Kids know how to enjoy life and that the secret is to be happy – follow your bliss and things you love to do and suddenly life is easy. I am “getting this” more and more and wow is it a beautiful place to live from! I wish you all the best for your new year Lance. Thanks for all you do and for your friendship.
Love, Jenny
Jenny Mannion´s Last Fabulous Post ..Don’t Give Up — Surrender Instead to Heal and Move Forward
Happy Birthday, Lance. Have a glorious birthday. Your Sunday Thought For The Day photos and quotes always make my Sundays grand. Thanks.
Patricia – Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker´s Last Fabulous Post ..Blog Carnival Against Child Abuse: October 30, 2009 Edition
I’ve read this quote a few places lately and I LOVE it! I’m so glad you wrote about it today. And I love the pic too!
positively present´s Last Fabulous Post ..words to live by: keep yourself positive
Happy birthday Lance! May this year be your happiest and most fulfilling yet.
Diane Fit to the Finish´s Last Fabulous Post ..As Big As a Football Player!
I LOVE this! I can see from the comments that it’s your birthday. Happy birthday! And thank YOU for the lovely gift today.
Chris´s Last Fabulous Post ..Twenty Years
Hi Lance!
What’s this? Another birthday? YAY! If the Universe has a birthday book on you, the page for this year would list a bazillion names of all those people you have touched in your special Lance-way!
That quote was delightful! The things we are taught as kids – wow – we need to remember it! I may be growing old but I never want to grow up! I keep on mining messages from early on in my life and, like this one you shared a la quote, reinstating the messages! How they become lost one can only wonder!
suzen´s Last Fabulous Post ..Live This Very Moment and Dream On
So simple and often forgotten.
a very HAPPY birthday to you!!!
Stacey Shipman´s Last Fabulous Post ..Stress Still High in Adults and Kids
Hi Lance:
I love the picture and the quote! Its simple and true. Lance, have a happy birthday!
Tim´s Last Fabulous Post ..Weekend Video Diversion: Sesame Street Turns 40
Lovely thought to go with your birthday! May all your dreams come true! Happiness always!
Evelyn Lim´s Last Fabulous Post ..Make Peace with Time
Love it! This is the second time I’ve read it today, so I take that as a divine sign.
Happy Sunday Lance!!
How outrageously beautiful is that!
“…they told me I didn’t understand the assignment…”
Perhaps we could all go back to that moment when we were 5 and realize that we understood the assignment perfectly!
(Hope you are having an amazing day – all the best for your birthday again!)
Evita´s Last Fabulous Post ..The Web of Ideas and the Future of the World
Oh Lance…..HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!…may your life be filled with love,happiness and good health(mind body heart and soul) ALWAYS.
With lots of love and prayers
Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s Last Fabulous Post ..Where You Stumble{Inspirational Quote}
Hi Lance!
Happy birthday! Put another candle on your birthday cake, you’re another year older today, toot toot!
You make ME happy! Thanks for being who you are and for living life like you mean it.
You’re an inspiration!
~xo
Lori´s Last Fabulous Post ..Inspirational Funny – by Steven at Human Explosion
Hi Lance,
I swear that kid could have been me. When I was a kid, people would ask me what did I want to be when I grow up and I used to say happy. They would look at me like I had three heads and tell me that I did not understand the question! So yay for not being alone in wanting to be happy!
And talking of happy….HAPPY BIRTHDAY! May this upcoming year be filled with great health, success in the way that you desire, love, wisdom and numerous blessings!
Nadia – Happy Lotus´s Last Fabulous Post ..My November Dose of Tough Love
“Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne
Love that cute photo.
Grampa Ken on Social Change´s Last Fabulous Post ..Viewing Life and Society at 75
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANCE!!!
Wishing you all the happy and bright you can stand.
Loved the quote and picture, I think that is a great way to understand life.
Angelia Sims´s Last Fabulous Post ..Our Participation: The Levity Project
Oh my gosh that quote is probably my favorite one so far. My mother used to always tell me that she didn’t care what I accomplished in life or what I grew up to be but she did care about one thing – that I was happy. That meant more to me than anything I’ve ever learned in life and it meant more to me than anything anyone else ever told me. I will remember it for the rest of my life. It will be the one thing that I wish to instill in my kids when I have them.
Caity´s Last Fabulous Post ..3 Brother’s Pizza!
The last sentence hits the nail right on the head. Its really hard to do much of anything if you are NOT happy.
Happy Birthday, Lance!
Carla´s Last Fabulous Post ..Green and Chic Product: Erbaorganics Baby Body Wash (discounted)
Happy Birthday Lance,
I want to be happy when I grow up too.
Oh wait, I did and I am.
Great quote and photo, as always. Enjoy your day!
Barbara Swafford´s Last Fabulous Post ..If He Can, She Can
Wow, sure wish I could shake “author unknown’s” hand!
Happy Birthday, Lance! Yesterday was my daughter’s! How about that!
Gayle (Gazehound’s Animal Communication)´s Last Fabulous Post ..Animal Intelligence: the Vole and the Cookie
Love the little story, the cock-eyed smiley-face photo, the cheerful comments, and a chance to chime in on Happy Birthday, Lance! Rin and Stimpey’s “happy happy joy joy happy happy joy” is now running through my head for some reason.
Brenda´s Last Fabulous Post ..Awakening
Wonderful outside the box thinking. Happy birthday!
Lynn´s Last Fabulous Post ..St. Joseph’s, spectacular and petit paquet
Wonderful thought. Happy birthday
This is so great. And it’s perfect for today – your birthday! I believe that you have found the meaning of life, that you live energetically, stretching toward happiness, allowing God to propel your life forward toward the the great plans He has for you. Wishing you many, many more of the same.
Audra Krell´s Last Fabulous Post ..A Chance to Choose
That is the key. So many of us forget that happiness is more important than money. Really we want money to make us happy. But, hey, if we are already happy than money has less power over us.
Karl Staib – Work Happy Now´s Last Fabulous Post ..How Your Company Can Bring the Fun Back
Thanks for sharing that Lance. That was absolutely brilliant
Srinivas Rao´s Last Fabulous Post ..How to be a connector Part II: World Domination
This put a smile on my face! Thanks Lance!
Happy birthday Lance, you never know how I found out and I wish you kindness to yourself, a child in your soup, joy and joyful sponsors in your life.
Love Wilma
Wilma Ham´s Last Fabulous Post ..Questions, the doors to our hearts.
Lance…That 5 year old was you, wasn’t it????
Reminds me of my days when I ran competitively. I had two coaches. One was full of love and passion for the experience of running. The second was full of passion and drive for winning competitions. The second one would always ask me “So Katie, how do you want to do in the race?” inquiring about what time and place I wanted.
Much to his disappointment, I always responded, “I want to run with grace and beauty.” It infuriated him.
But the first coach totally got it and that is why I stayed on our team and yep, we were state champions too.
Spirit first. Action second.
And dude…happy rockin’ birthday.
Katie West/The Levity Coach´s Last Fabulous Post ..The Levity Project is coming to Chicago!
Ahhh. A smile for the day! So what if it’s 10pm and almost tomorrow. I found my smile…today.
@Darren – Hey Darren, that’s awesome!!! You are teaching your daughter this exactly…and the teacher sees the beauty in it! Thanks so much for sharing that!
@aclambert – That’s it, though…it’s never too late to start. And that’s great you are passing this message on to your son.
@Zeenat – Hi Zeenat. I’m not sure if you have seen the movie “Monsters, Inc”, but that picture for some reason reminds me of the character Sulley (just a different color)! Yes, that purity of just being happy…such a good thought, isn’t it…
@Jeanne – Thanks so much for being here Jeanne…
@LisaNewton – Hi Lisa, it’s so good to see you! I love it!! And they sure did get it right…look at that, they answered the same way. And here’s to making that smile a big part of us…during the night and day!
@Natalia – Hi Natalia. Hey, maybe you did spend a number of years doing something that didn’t resonate…the thing is, though, that you are not doing that anymore. And even if you were, you always have that choice of what to do. I also know that sometimes we can feel trapped in what we’re doing…and there can be some truth to that in some cases – still, though, we can always keep playing with those dreams bouncing around in our hearts. And what a great message you are sharing with your son! And Natalia…thank YOU for the birthday wishes!!
@Tristan – You know, Tristan…I would hope that some teachers would see the beauty in those words… Yet, I know that some would not. Sad, isn’t it….
@Megan – Lisa’s comment was great!! And the Rita Mae Brown quote is an awesome one – being alive to enjoy life sounds pretty awesome to me! Thank you for sharing that. And…thank YOU for the birthday wishes – you are awesome!!
@Hilda – Kids just “get it” sometimes…and don’t even fully realize it! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes….young lady!! Sunday has been awesome!!
@Jannie – Unknown nailed this one, huh!! And that wise mama stuff..something I know you rock at!! Cheerios…yum! Chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Made by my ten year old…mostly chocolate chips!!! YUM!! Jannie, thank YOU for the wonderful wishes – you rock!!
@Joanna – Joanna, thank YOU!! YOu are a sweetheart always…
@Jess – It’s a great quote, isn’t it!
@Laurie – Yes, it’s that deeper connection to your heart that brings happiness to that deeper level too. And when you do, what a great place of happiness to reach! And I know you have reached a spot within you and find peace there…and that’s what makes all the difference!
@Diane AZ – Kids don’t overthink their happiness…they just are happy. And when they are, there fully in that moment. A great place to be! And Diane, thank YOU for the birthday wishes!!
@Kim – Kim, thanks so much for being here today. YOU shine…and I can tell that by your words here today (and always). More than that, though, I’ve witnessed that shine of yours in real life…and it is so awesome! Hey, guess what I’m wearing tomorrow, FRIEND!!! More of your awesomeness! Thanks so much for making the whole weekend and my birthday GREAT!
@Jay – It’s an awesome thought, isn’t it! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes today!
@Jenny Mannion – Hi Jenny. Thank YOU!!!! I know you get this – and it’s so awesome to see where it is taking you! Jenny, I deeply appreciate your friendship, and for all you give of yourself. Sending love and happiness your way…
@Patricia – Spiritual Journey of A Lightworker — Thank you Patricia! So glad to hear these Sunday thoughts touch upon something within you…they definitely do for me!
@Positively Present – Thanks so much Dani!
@Diane – Thanks so, so much Diane! Awesome having you here today!
@Chris – Isn’t that a great attitude, from the 5 year old! And thank you, Chris, for the sweet birthday wishes!
@Suzen – Hi Suzen. Wow, you are so, so super-sweet! Thank YOU so much for the birthday wishes (and for inflating my head!!). In our physical years…yes, we’re always getting older. But that defintely does not mean we have to grow up. And I know you are not!! Keep that kid-like spirit alive like it so much is today Suzen!!
@Stacey Shipman – “Happy” in is most basic form is really pretty simple. How we get to happy…well, maybe that’s where it get’s a little sticky sometimes as adults. It does get sticky and complicated sometimes, but does it really have to? Maybe it’s as simple as just saying “I choose to be happy”… Stacey, thanks so much for the birthday wishes, and the wonderful friendship!
@Tim – Hi Tim. Like I mentioned to Stacey, up above – it really can be simple…do we allow it to be that way, though? Good for me to think about… Thanks so much for the birthday wishes!!
@Evelyn – Hi Evelyn. Thank you for the wonderful birthday wishes! Happiness is pretty awesome!!
@Tabitha @ ichoosebliss – Hi Tabitha. I know when I start seeing a message repeat itself to me…I really start to think if there is some divine intervention going on. I’d go with it Tabitha!! And a very happy Sunday to you too!
@Evita – It is a really beautiful message!! And I love how you used the word “outrageously” in there – so great!! I’m sure you’ve heard of that book – “All I Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten”…that’s quite possibly way, way accurate! And Evita, today has been so wonderful! And thank YOU for helping to make it that way – you are such a sweet soul!
@Zeenat – Zeenat, thank you SO SO SO SO MUCH for the birthday wishes! You shine in all you write, and today I feel that at an even deeper level…
@Lori – Hi Lori. I can’t find any room on the cake for candles!! Yikes! Maybe it’s just because I’ve eaten too much of the cake (yep, we’ll go with that…)! Lori, thank you for your wonderful and amazing friendship.
@Nadia – Hi Nadia. I think that kid could have been you also! In fact, I think that kid could still be you today! Really, you just really seem to live this (look at your name – HAPPY Lotus!). And talking of being happy…YOU make me very happy today! Thanks so much for the wonderful birthday wishes!
@Grampa Ken on Social Change – I love teh Hawthorne quote you’ve shared…so true. It’s there within, we just have to quiet ourselves to see it.
@Angelia – THANK YOU Angelia!! You are wonderful and super-sweet! Happiness is rockin’….and so are you!!
@Caity – Your mother is a very wise person! If we can go through life and be happy, that will have been a grand life! Not to say there won’t be moments of sadness or despair…because there will be. If our outlook, though, is just generally all about being happy in life, what a great feeling to have!
@Carla – Yes, that last sentence is a powerful one…really gets to the core of what life is. Thanks so much for the birthday wishes!!
@Barbara – Thanks so much for the birthday wishes!! And hey…you ARE happy!! That’s awesome, isn’t it!!
@Gayle – Yes, “author unknown” wrote a really meaningful piece here!! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes! And a very happy belated birthday to your daugher! Tell her that I say “November rocks!!”.
@Brenda – That cock-eyed smile is pretty great! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes…and for now putting a tune in my head!!!!
@Lynn – And getting outside the box is so good!! Thanks for the birthday wishes!
@Jon – Thanks much!!
@Audra – Audra, your comment today has deep and special meaning for me. You have such a beautiful way of making others feel valued – of making me feel valued. Thanks so much for being here today, and even more than that – for your real and wonderful friendship. You are a sweetheart!
@Karl – Happiness is where it’s at. Money won’t buy the happiness for us…it only buys us things that we hope will bring us happiness. And happiness is really something that comes from deep within, and money doesn’t touch that….
@Srinivas – It’s great, isn’t it!!
@Mark Salinas – Great to hear this put a smile on your face!!
@Wilma – Thank you so much, Wilma! And hey – that child in your soup…that sounds familiar!! You are sweet…
@Katie – Hey Speedy! That five year old…hmmm….wass that me about 15 years ago??? Could that be?? Hey, I’m just a youngster!! Could that be??? Okay…I’m sure that make me like 20 years old (I’m going with that!). So…Ms. Runner Pants…you’ve been stirring things up all your life, haven’t you! (why am I not surprised!!) And hey, just so you know – remember how you ran – with grace and beauty…well, you’ve still got it… (although I’ve never seen you run…). YOU are a champ always!! And that IS your spirit shining through!! And dudette…it’s been a great day…all part of a super great weekend! Big thanks and hugs to you…
@Yum Yucky – I love the attitude Josie! Sometimes it takes a while…but it’s there! In fact, seeing you here always puts a smile on my face!!
Perfect quote and perfect pic … happiness is a great way of life.
Have a happy birthday.
J.D. Meier´s Last Fabulous Post ..Lessons Learned from John
This is wonderful Lance!
Thank you!
Juliet | Freelancewise´s Last Fabulous Post ..Vote for Specialised Kinesiology, Vote for Health
So it’s your birthday? HAPPY HAPPY birthday. Happiness is the key to everything. When you’re happy, the rest follows. I am not so happy right now. But I try to keep my spirit up and obtain that state again.
I wish you all that you wish for yourself and much more.
Mimi
Mindful Mimi´s Last Fabulous Post ..Sunday laugh
Lance,
This is so sweet, only out of the mouth of babes do we hear the honesty of life.
Thank you so much for this precious moment.
Big Hug
@J.D. Meier – Happiness is such a great way of life!! Thank you for the birthday wishes!!
@Juliet – Thanks so much, Juliet!!
@Mimi – Hey Mimi!! You are awesome, thank YOU!! Happiness is so good. And that doesn’t mean we’re going to always be happy. We all have moments where we’re not. This too shall pass, Mimi. And brighter days are ahead. You are such a sweet and caring person…and I just know that the happiness that’s in your heart will be back out soon…
@Bunny – Hi Bunny. Yes, the mouths of babes can come some pretty profound statements! This is defintely one of them! Big hugs right back to you, my friend!
I laugh I was so busy wishing you happy birthday I forgot how to properly start my sunday.
RECTIFIED.
On a monday
thank you.
Miz´s Last Fabulous Post ..Motivational MatchUps & Two Fit Chicks (video post).
So refreshing to read these words. Every once in a while there are people in my life that love to suggest potential careers for me and my son (now in college). The say you should go into technology, you’ll make lots of money, or, “why don’t you get a nursing degree, healthcare is the way to go”– it’s annoying because no one seems to see that we are not looking for money or some means to an end, we are striving to stay happy because we love what we do. I tell all my kids often that they need to always strive to be happy in what they do otherwise it’s just pointless. Great message and what a cool photo! Thanks Lance.
Terie
spinDiva´s Last Fabulous Post ..Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
This quote is awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Oscar´s Last Fabulous Post ..The Do Habit Update 1
That is gr8! Thank you for sharing!
Trish @imaSUcceeding´s Last Fabulous Post ..What can YOU do to make a change?
A thought provoking quote, and unfortunately one of the major problems with the current education system.
Jake@HypnosisOnline´s Last Fabulous Post ..Hypnosis Videos
An example of how upside down our education systems are eh? That 5 year old (and her Mum) have it so totally right. I’m no teacher but full marks from me!
Sami – Life, Laughs & Lemmings´s Last Fabulous Post ..Kick Arse Question – Surviving a Crisis
I can’t tell you how much I LOVE that quote! It’s going into my collection of favorite quotes!
Jason of Kim & Jason´s Last Fabulous Post ..Does United Airlines Have Adultitis?
love this one too.. Deepak Chopra tells a story in Happiness Prescription about happiness in ignorance or happiness in enlightenment.
I think that’s what this quote says. seek happiness in enlightenment. seek fulfillment. make it worthwhile. live in the present moment.
Elliot Lozano´s Last Fabulous Post ..Sharing a Piece of Inspiration… Ben Harper’s Better Way Song
@Miz – And…I’m super way late getting back here (now…who’s laughing??). Anyway, great always, having you here!!
@SpinDiva – Terie, this is such an awesome message you are sharing with your family! I love this, especially in light of the pressures you’ve put up with. Happiness is a way better place to be!
@Oscar – Thanks much, Oscar.
@Trish – Thank you Trish!
@Jake – If we focused our education system around this idea of happiness, instead of trying to have higher test scores…hmmm…
@Sami – And why is it, that I think you are pretty much just like this five year old?? I’m right, aren’t I?
@Jason – I know! This quote is just so, so good!
@Elliot – Happiness rocks! And that is all about “living” in the present moment.
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