Many Paths to Happiness

by

Gerry Niskern

There is a famous old saying that goes, “Happiness is not a station where one arrives…..it’s a manner of traveling.”

I had a magnet with that maxim written on it on my refrigerator for many years. The kids in the family sometimes asked, “What does that mean, exactly?”

I tried to answer many times, and the more I’ve thought about it,  I’ve come to realize that you could interpret that many ways.

I like to think that the manner in which you speak to your fellow human beings is one path on this journey called  life. Sure there is lots of kidding and banter among friends, but basically a person is known by his words and manner of speaking. Are their words warm, natural and their tone constant, in exchanging ideas?

I was fortunate enough to have a very “democratic” mother. She always admired people who were at ease in speaking to a child, cleaning person, cashier, seniors, landscapers, the “boss” or anyone. She couldn’t tolerate anyone who “put on the dog” by changing their manner or tone when conversing with someone they perceived to on a higher level socially.

Like her, I’ve come to believe that the way you speak to anyone, regardless to their station in life, is an ongoing process through this verbal path of life.

How are your travels?