Change

 
    The old saying goes “when one door closes a window opens.” The window is of opportunity. The opportunity to make a fresh start, the opportunity to be a better mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, friend, lover, co-worker or just a better self. The opportunity to be happy.

     As Christmas and 2011 lie ahead, many of us are making resolutions to better our lives…some by choice and others by force. In the past year, not only have I had to deal with my own family strife, but those of my patient families as well. I’ve seen dozens of marriages fall apart (including my own), parents losing jobs and thus forced to move away, families left alone by the deployment of their spouse, and children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.

     There is no doubt that the difficult economic times we live in have played a role; however, I think our basic human nature is our own self-enemy. Americans as a whole are constantly seeking opportunities to be more successful and to be happier. We often define happiness by making more money, being more successful and having nicer, bigger, better things.

     I was recently reading an article about the small nation of Bhutan, a small country I never knew existed, located between China and India. Bhutan is known to be the home of the yeti, i.e. the abominable snowman, farming, Buddhism, archery, and pilgrimages. The Bhutanese people have a reputation for happiness. In fact a 2005 survey found that over 95 percent of people in Bhutan reported being happy with their lives. According to Lam Kado, the lama of the Tiger’s Nest monastery in Paro, “Wherever you are from-the USA, Australia, India-you have every chance at happiness because it is found within yourself. If you can find peace inside, you can be happy no matter where you are.”

     My resolution for the New Year is to find inner happiness. In finding personal happiness, I hope to share that with my son, my family, my friends, my patients and their families, and whomever else I am fortunate enough to meet and get to know. Whether you live in Bhutan or Brevard County, happiness is within all of our reach. Instead of constantly looking for the next best thing, we must look inside at what we do have and be content with that.

      I wish everyone a healthy, happy New Year. God Bless!

                                                                                                                                                     David