This morning I cussed at one of our dogs.  She’s the mother of the other two for which I have a particular grudge against her.  We haven’t much food to give them and she’s a chronic over eater.  I also believe she has pica because she eats anything and everything. This morning she woke me with gag sounds as she puked up a dark brown stain on the floor.  I shouted my disdain at the sight because I was certain the three darker outlines on the floor were poop.  I said she eats everything.

Turns out they were leaves so I’m leaving the mess for my husband to clean.  In The Happiness Project, the author loses a gold star and, perhaps, receives a frowny face while she grades herself for her efforts towards joy.  If I were following her path, I’d lose points for both the action of pawning the chore off on my husband and for yelling at the dog.  I’m not even sure my saintly author swears.  She’s really missing out.  

And here’s my first lesson in happiness: YOU CAN NOT COMPARE YOUR LEVEL OF SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS TO THAT OF SOMEONE ELSE’S.

This is nearly impossible to do.  We accidentally create our visions because of, and model ourselves after, other people as children.  However, to keep myself from feeling guilty, I did a quick search to find something I’d heard in the news about a year ago. Swearing makes you happy.  Based on two separate studies, one reporter concluded that “swearing reduces stress by providing the relief to release anger and move on.” Personally, I’d like the dog to move on, but for now I need to get through this morning.  ”Happy” might be a sweeping generalization, but it slightly elevates your mood from the situation so strike one up for me on the happiness game!   

Revenge, of course, is something most philosophers warn will corrupt your peace of mind.  I’m not so sure.  I’ve never really taken true revenge so I can’t speak of it’s successes or pitfalls, but I’m not sure how else to quantify my leaving of the puke stain.  Self-preservation, perhaps.  I didn’t want dogs.  I feed them.   I walk them.  I brush them.  Moreover, I sacrificed my goals and desires so that they can have a place to live.  Literally.  Just saying it makes me feel like a crazy person or a lazy person who has copped out and place blame.  I do love them, too.

Sad truth is, it’s true.  Somewhere in me, my ethical desire to protect animals and my psychological attachment to “true love,” I gave up a great deal to, er, prove myself right?  Whatever.  It is what it is.   

According to another study, “a recent study found an estimated $3.86 billion was saved on health spending in Australia, due to the benefits of pet ownership.”  I don’t get sick, it’s true.  I’ll live in this jagged path a long, long time.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Profanity can reduce your pain and stress - National Self Help | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/self-help-in-national/profanity-can-reduce-your-pain-and-stress#ixzz1BbkHnaZE