I have never been much of a Gwyneth Paltrow fan. I don't know why. I haven't really thought about it before. Just never on my radar.
Why think of her now? I was visiting Gretchen Rubin on her Happiness Project blog and she has an interesting story and link to Gwyneth's new website.
Gwyneth does indeed have a lot of interesting observations and things to say and things to do. I really enjoyed spending time on her site. Lots of good stuff. Well, to me. Sadly, she has been the brunt of some negative comments regarding her new website: GOOP. No doubt there are many unkind reasons for the criticism; as well as some, perhaps legitimate, complaints. Her response: “People get a hit of energy when they are negative about something.”
Wow. How true is that sentence?
Gretchen then went on to explain that being kind and happy takes effort. It can be draining. It takes no effort at all to be mean and negative.
Ever since seeing the motivational speaker, Amanda Gore a few years ago, I have an ongoing soundtrack of happy music in my head. The one that always brings a smile is: Always look on the bright side of life ... remember, the Monty Python song? That soundtrack has certainly saved more than a few potentially terrible days.
Happiness takes a lot of effort. It really does. And Gretchen is right: it's draining. To always be a cheerleader is exhausting. To be engaged, fully, interacting with others in a positive and constructive way. To be criticized for it is deflating. It really does take a lot of effort to look on the bright side.
But it is so worth it.
4 comments:
What an awesome post packed with truth! I have been clearing out a lot of my blogs and even people on my FB that have just been...well, clutter, really...so that I can keep track of things that I really want to read - like this. I need more edifying in my life. Great post.
Great post Lee! The Goop was loading too slowly but I will definitely be back to take a look.
I've been that negative person and I speak from experience when I say the effort and energy of kindness and happiness is so worth it :) How can you beat laying your head on your pillow at night with a smile on your face (that really happened a few nights ago)?!? :)
I read that article too and like you I never really paid much attention to her but that is an awesome insight and oh so true!
Totally love this post Lee! It is so true that it takes a lot of effort and working at being kind and positive. I have to check out Gwyneth's site because I'm a big fan of hers.
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