If you've been reading my blog for a little while, you'll probably remember that my day consists of assisting my brother with his homeschooling for this school year. He's 15 and convinced he has everything figured out. He's a pretty smart kid and thinks about deep things so occasionally he does have things figured out. Except marriage and relationships. He's positive he's an expert. Anyways, every now and then he'll out of the blue make a comment about me that is pretty bang on what I had been thinking recently. Sometimes they're a little harsh and falsities that I was also telling myself. But other times they have a hint of truth. A few days ago he said something to me that echoed what I had been thinking about hours earlier.
He said "You are not a very happy person. You should do something about that."
Know what friends? I think he's right. I could blame it on The D word (depression). Or on too much stress. But my life's not that bad. I don't want to wake up one day 20 years from now and be unhappy and all glass-is-completely-dry. For the past year and a half I've been working on a 101 things in 1001 days list. I don't have it posted on here because I started this blog almost a year later. One goal I put on there was to take pictures of 101 things that make me happy. I can't think of 101 things! Don't get me wrong... I don't walk around in with a permanent scowl on my face and children don't run away crying when I walk down the street (although my step-sister's baby screamed when I held her on Sunday) . I like to think I have a fair bit of joy and happy in my life.
But not enough happiness. I want more.
I know there's lots of happiness projects out there. But everyone's different. So I'm going to have my own pursuit of happiness (totally just remembered that's a title for that movie). Project Happiness if you will.
Merriam-Webster Definition of Happiness:
- a state of well-being and contentment: Joy
- a pleasurable or satisfying experience
So it's something you are and something you have. Interesting.
That's going to be my goal for the next little while. Happiness. In whatever form that is. I'm positive there's lots around. I'm going to make more of an effort to recognize and acknowledge it.
What about you? What's your definition of happiness?
What makes you happy?
I found some quotes that make me think. I don't know if I necessarily agree or disagree with them yet. But they were thought provoking:
Joy can be real only if people look upon their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness.
- Leo Tolstoy
The greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being.
- Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lamat
The greatest happiness is to transform one's feelings into action.
- Madame de Stael
Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.
- Groucho Marx
Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
- Abraham Lincoln
Everything is material for the seed of happiness, if you look into it with inquisitiveness and curiosity. The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment. There always is the potential to create an environment of blame -- or one that is conducive to loving-kindness.
- Pema Chodron
We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.
-Frederick Keonig
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