The Art of Danish Living by Meik Wiking

The Little Book Of Hygge

We had to turn to author Meik Wiking of this gem to discover just why Danes are so happy. Lots of guff about work life balance and the fact that only 1% of Danes work 50 hours a week versus a global worker and incidentally a UK worker average of 10%.

But the real standout is the 3 metre rule. No, nothing to do with Covid and social distancing, instead each and every Dane is encouraged to be their own CEO within a zone of 3 metres around them and to behave accordingly. So the next time you see a solitary Dane, respect his/her space: he/she is in his/her own C suite.

https://howtohyggethebritishway.com/2024/09/06/book-friday-the-art-of-danish-living-by-meik-wiking/

Things I have Learned

Take two minutes to read these sayings written by Andy Rooney, a man who had the gift of saying so much with so few words. Rooney has passed away but used to be on CBS’s 60 Minutes TV show.

I’ve learned…
That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
That when you’re in love, it shows.
I’ve learned …That just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!’ makes my day.
That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
That being kind is more important than being right.
That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in any other way.
That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
That money doesn’t buy class.
That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
That love, not time, heals all wounds.
That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
That life is tough, but I’m tougher.
That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.
That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, you’re hooked for life. (This happened to me when we went to adopt our daughter.)
That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.
That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Attitude Is Everything

A famous writer was in his study.  He picked up his pen and began writing:
“Last year, my gallbladder was removed.
I was stuck in bed due to this surgery for a long time.
The same year I reached the age of 60 and had to give up my favorite job.
I had spent 30 years of my life with this publishing company.
The same year I experienced the death of my father.
In the same year my son failed in his medical exam because he had a car accident. He had to stay in the hospital with a cast on his leg for several days.
And, the destruction of the car was a second loss.
Alas! It was such a bad year!”

When the writer’s wife entered the room, she found her husband looking dejected, sad and lost in his thoughts.  
She carefully and surreptitiously read what he had written, and silently left the room and came back shortly with another piece of paper on which she had written her summary of the year’s events and placed it beside 
her husband’s paper.  
 
When her husband saw that she had written something in response to his account of the year’s events, he read:

“Last year I finally got rid of my gallbladder which had given me many years of pain.  
I turned 60 with sound health and retired from my job. 
Now I can utilize my time to write better and with more focus and peace.
The same year my father, at the age of 95 without depending on anyone and without any critical conditions, met his Creator.
The same year, God blessed my son with life.
“My car was destroyed, but my son was alive and without permanent disability.
This year was an immense blessing and it passed well!”

~ MORAL ~
In our daily lives we must see that it’s not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. There is always, always something to be thankful for.
 
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Attitude is the one thing that we always, in every circumstance, have control over.