I'm really interested in the concept of happiness. Actually, I'm really interested in the concept of pursuing happiness. The primary goal of my life is to be happy and fulfilled. But in order for that to happen, the people I love need to be happy too - I can't possibly be truly happy if my kids are unhappy. Presuming that they are happy (which is a big presumption, because children are not automatically happy and the biggest challenge a parent can face is to raise a happy child) then how can I be happy?
- Reading a great book in the bath
- Getting a massage
- Laughing hysterically
- Cuddling my kids
- Cuddling my kitten
- Cuddling Simon Baker**
- Eating steak bernaise with chips
- Seeing a fabulous movie
- Sleeping in on a Sunday morning
- Watching my kids play together
- Getting breakfast in bed
- Talking to my besties
- Having the perfect cappuccino
- Having sex with Simon Baker***
All of those activities bring me great pleasure, and I will feel happy in those moments, but they are not what bring me lasting happiness. The things that have brought me lasting happiness are far fewer, but far more significant. They are
- Having my three kids
- My friendships with my besties
- My close relationship with my parents
- My writing career
- My online community
Think about what has brought you pleasure in your life. It's probably fairly predictable. But think about what has brought you real happiness and you may be very surprised.
Thoughts?
*the Channel 7 afternoon show (I appear on a panel every Tuesday. Watch it. It's fun.)
**Okay, so I've only done that once, but it was awesome
***Okay, so I haven't done that at all, but I'm SURE I'd like it
Ooooo part of my overall proper happiness is doing nice things for my friends and family and also people I don't know...
ReplyDeleteAnd gratitude for what I do have also brings me joy
Valuing and appreciating what I have ... and being valued and appreciated in return makes me happy :0)
ReplyDeleteMy husband, my son, my dog, my family, my friends, my bed, Angry Birds, toast and tea and drugs* xxx
ReplyDelete*may or may not be true
Freud said the secret to happiness was work and love. I tend to agree. Work you love, and love (partner/kids/family/friends, whatever) that works. xx
ReplyDeleteThat Freud person sounds SMART.
ReplyDeleteI am eating toast having just spoken on the phone to you. So yes. Happy. x
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely thought. xxx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful x
ReplyDeleteI find the concept of happiness and pursuing it very interesting as well. Have you read "The Happiness Project?"
ReplyDeleteAll of the above but substitute Channing Tatum for Simon Baker (drool) The pursuit of Happiness is a lifetime occupation and in the end we have to find it within ourselves. Yolanda
ReplyDeleteHappiness comes from loving and being loved, being actively grateful and the continued commitment to your own truths and finding inner peace (however confronting at the time) xx
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are you are one brilliant lady.Keep up the great writing.Victoria
ReplyDeleteAmazingly it is the small stuff that brings lasting happiness, ie the 'stuff you don't need to sweat over' (to paraphrase the infamous book):
ReplyDelete- the kids laughing at ridiculous antics on Top Gear (infantile sense of humour for adult males permeates the age gaps, I can testify to this)
- birdsong in the morning
- warm sun on my back
- unexpected kiss from OH
- smile and a "Good morning!" from a fellow runner in the early hours
- unexpected thank-yous from anyone for doing things that you barely thought about at the time
I could go on, but you get the picture.
LCM x
I think about the happiness question a lot. As in, what were the happiest times, the unhappiest times and what was going on. I think to a certain extent, I was probably happiest when both my parents were living with me and the health problems were not as bad as they later became. I remember having breakfast with them with before going to work. Watching my Dad help my Mom around my small condo and them going out for walks in the hallway. The problem is that was a long time ago - in more recent days; I'm happy curling up with an e-book or working on online classes. But you're right so much should centre around the people in your life (and getting rid of the toxic ones - sometimes it's realized much too late though). I have to spend more time thinking about this!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard, isn't it, to pinpoint what makes us truly happy. My kids being happy, content, confident people would make me ecstatic.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. And I do get the picture x
ReplyDeleteYes. So true. Thanks love x
ReplyDeleteYES. That's all I want for my kids. TOTALLY x
ReplyDeleteGreat response, thanks Colin.
ReplyDeleteOh! Thanks!!!!
ReplyDeleteVery true.
ReplyDeleteNo but people keep mentioning it to me!
ReplyDeleteI would, but I'm in fear if I have a sudden, uncontrollable urge to go
ReplyDeleteto the bathroom. And, also, does that mean that my two four-legged
furry rascals have to get human onsies? Actually, I sometimes believe
they are humans in disguise, those two!
I would, but I'm in fear if I have a sudden, uncontrollable urge to go
ReplyDeleteto the bathroom. And, also, does that mean that my two four-legged
furry rascals have to get human onsies? Actually, I sometimes believe
they are humans in disguise, those two!