Week eighteen of 2023 is almost in the books, and it has been a crazy week. I trust that yours has been awesome and that YOUR WEEKEND AHEAD WILL BE AWESOME! I read these words earlier this week, and I trust they are an encouragement to you.
What do very happy people have in common? The Wall Street Journal followed up with the 12% of respondents in a WSJ-NORC survey who called themselves “very happy” and asked them what they were all about. Here are the traits they share.
- Companionship: 67% of the happiest people said marriage was very important to them, compared to 43% of respondents.
- Religion: Two-thirds of very happy people characterized themselves as moderately or very religious. The overall share: less than half.
- Closer to death: People 60 and over accounted for 44% of the happiest group but represented 30% of total survey respondents.
- Gym rats: Fitness was a common interest among very happy people.
What doesn’t seem to matter to become very happy? Political party affiliation or avoiding following politics. —Neal Freyman
Four Lessons That I Learned This Week.
1. Nothing can improve your Day More than Margin. Whether it is financial, relational, or time management, margin is your friend. Fight for it!
2. Stop Trying to Impress People. If you are still playing the comparison game, you are losing.
3. Think About Your Circles of Influence Through this Quote: “Those who follow Jesus should attract the same people Jesus attracted and frustrate the same people Jesus frustrated.” —Shane Claiborne
4. Never Stop Learning. This isn’t just a strong way to stay sharp but a way to grow to become more like Jesus. Win-Win!
This Week’s 4forFRIDAY
A Movie We Loved: “GHOSTED” (on Apple TV)
A Book that I Loved: Drop the Stones
Another Movie We Loved: The Covenant (movie theatre)
My Favorite Bakery/Deli: Henri’s (now open in Peachtree Corners)
A Quote from Hugh L. Hollowell:
“Every time we use religion to draw a line that keeps people out, Jesus is with the people on the other side of that line.”
