Advice from Samuel Butler

A little while ago I posted a bit about [amazon_link id=”006158326X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Happiness Project[/amazon_link] and some of the guidelines I came up with for myself. One of the most important to me was What you like is what you like, and realize it is okay to want to like things but still not like them.” And, today, just when I needed a reminder, this quote showed up in my inbox this morning, from the Happiness Project daily email:

“I should like to like Schumann’s music better than I do; I dare say I could make myself like it better if I tried; but I do not like having to try to make myself like things; I like things that make me like them at once and no trying at all.”
Samuel Butler

It’s kind of reassuring to know that there are lots of people out there who struggle with being themselves, even successful Victorian authors.

Oh, and for the record, I actually do like Schumann’s music. 😉