Don’t worry, be happy. From Jack Gibson to Gandhi, words of wisdom to make us happy

There are certain stages in life, when there’s no need for worry.

The first few hours of life are usually stress free. Hopefully, the mind will be clear around the time of our final breath. With any luck, there are a few peaceful periods in between.

When was the last time you weren’t worrying about something? Not a care in the world. Can you remember?

After I left school, everything seemed to be where it should be. I’d recovered from my dad’s death (so I thought), had an amazing circle of mates, and was being paid actual money.

All we did was have fun. If there was something worth stressing about, no-one told us.

Things change, of course. We get older, and while we love our life and all those around us, things get complicated.

We cause our own problems. Put strain on our families. Our bodies start coming up with conditions we hadn’t heard of a decade ago.

I’ve been worrying too much of late. About things great and small. Worrying about my family. Worrying about the future. Worrying about surgery to beat a pesky cancer.

It’s painful, and exhausting, and in the most part, unnecessary. And I’m over it.

I’m reading books. Not just form guides. Basic philosophies, from a variety of authors, to live a good life, and make sense of things.

I’ve re-visited my favourite philosopher. A man who always seemed to find the simplest way. The late, great, Jack Gibson. Football coach, and graduate with honours from the University of Life.

Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of him. He wouldn’t have cared in the slightest.

Jack collected quotes and sayings from all over the world, and eventually made books out of them. I have every one.

I dragged them out last night, to remember some favourites. Here are just a few. They might mean something to you too. Some are from famous people. Others from Jack himself.

If you walk towards the light the shadows are always behind you.

If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you. LEWIS CARROLL.

Success in life comes not from holding a good hand of cards, but in playing a poor hand well.

A retentive memory may be a good thing but the ability to forget is the true token of greatness. ELBERT HUBBARD

Make a rule in life never to regret and never to look back. Regret is an appalling waste of energy. You can’t build on it. It’s only good for wallowing in. KATHERINE MANSFIELD

All so true. There are hundreds more gems just like these. Those yellowing pages never fail to inspire. And bring back a smile.

You might have similar books that lift your spirits. Don’t forget them, when things get tough.

And here’s one more quote. I keep coming back to it, because it sums up the idea of living a better life.

It’s from a bloke called Gandhi. Pretty handy performer, back in the day. (Note to some of my regular readers – no, he is not a member of the Broncos Under 20 squad. Yes, it’s been heavy going so far, and you’ve done well to stay with me. I promise to lighten up next week).

Put this on the fridge, next to the emergency numbers and your video store specials. It’s worth remembering.

Keep my words positive. Words become my behaviors. Keep my behaviors positive. Behaviors become my habits. Keep my habits positive. Habits become my values. Keep my values positive. Values become my destiny. MOHANDAS GANDHI

Hard to argue with any of that. Even if he didn’t make the cut with the Broncos.