Finding Flowers and Sausages in Life

How Selective Memory Can Boost Happiness

Here’s a fun take on happiness:

“Happiness? That’s nothing more than good health and a poor memory.” Albert Schweitzer

Here’s another one:

“Life isn’t always flowers and sausages.” Phil’s Grandma Gerbyshak

When I think back on the years I grew up, I think of them fondly, as though everything were flowers and sausages.

Time on the farm. Card games with my grandma, mom and brothers. Video games with my brothers. Sports. All those things are great memories - or at least what I remember of them are.

Then I have an appointment with my therapist, and I’m reminded of the things I still need to work through from when I was growing up. Things I don’t care to think about except for once a week when I’m with her.

Grandma was right: Things weren’t always flowers and sausages.

I’m relatively healthy. And though my memory is actually quite good, I think the ability to not focus on the trauma from before is quite healthy. It’s not about a poor memory; it’s about having a memory that focuses on the good.

So the next time you’re feeling down, think back on a happy memory, of some flowers and sausages in your life, and you’ll feel a little better, at least for a while, and it might just help you remember that your good health is not something to take for granted. And neither are your memories.