I’m all grown up and I’m still looking for ways to be happy – every single day.
There were times when I wondered what I was searching for. Did I really want to live in a constant state of euphoria? I won’t deny it; I love it when someone praises me on a particular accomplishment. Who doesn’t? Was I seeking pure bliss, perhaps? You know, the feeling you get while being pampered at a luxury resort during your vacation. I like being on vacation, but I know I would not be fulfilled if that is all that life had to offer.
I find that both euphoria and bliss are part of being happy, but they are transitory, ebbing in and out of my life and dependent on some thing or someone.
What I seek every day is joy – that warm ethereal glow that bubbles up from my heart whenever I think about my sweetie or when I’m deeply grateful. It’s doing things that make me smile, knowing my life has meaning and that I am able to help someone in need. In a Huffington Post article, joy champion Mei Mei Fox says,
“Joy is what makes life beautiful. It’s what gets us through challenges and allows light in to illuminate the shadows. Joy heals our wounds, inspires us to greatness, and fills our souls with goodness.”(1)
For me, lasting happiness is an abiding contentment with life and with who I am. It includes moments of joy, euphoria and bliss. It is complex, it is personal, an artistry to be practiced daily.
It’s unrealistic to presume you and I can be happy all the time. Life happens. We’re human. I still have moments when I say the wrong thing, think life is unfair and host pity parties. But I no longer get up in the morning rehearsing in my mind everything that went wrong the day before. I don’t condemn myself, but rather I’ve learned to forgive and move on. I find myself happy way more often than I am not.
I like starting the month with a happiness list. It serves as an inspiration and reminder to me and anyone reading the post that even though life has a way of taking over, there are activities we can do to recognize moments of joy and train our happiness muscles. Here are some of the things I’m looking forward to in January.
* Extra minutes of daylight every single day!
* Decluttering my office.
* Writing thank you notes.
* A huge pot of hearty home-made SOUP!
* Yoga classes.
* Losing myself in a good book.
* The first sip of coffee in the morning.
* Hugging somebody!
Now it’s your turn. What would you include on your list? I really would like to know. Reply and share.
Happy January everyone!
Eloquently Kate 
Happiness (aka contentment) seems to come more easily as I age. The “growing up” part…not so much. I’ve never seen anyone who’s become “all grown up” enjoying life.
Also, I notice as I get older it’s so much easier to forgive – because half the time I can’t remember what the heck I was upset about to begin with.
You’re right about spending less time with our mistakes and more time with mercy and others. I believe outward focus is where happiness really starts.
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Thank you Anita for your thoughtful comments and sharing your insights. I appreciate them. I’m an eternal optimist and start galloping like a horse as soon as there is a glimmer of hope somewhere.
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Hi Kate–
Oh, I love the idea of a “happiness list” and creating one for each month. I’m looking forward to enjoying the lights on my tree and windows. Yes my tree is still up. The only time I can sit and admire it and reflect is when the hectic holiday season has passed. Other things are reading books (not just blog posts), writing (not just blog posts), decluttering my office, hosting my friends at my annual writers brunch, and spending time with my family.
Victoria–
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Thank you Victoria for sharing your happiness list. I love that you keep Christmas around longer so you can enjoy it before rushing into the new year. Have a happy January. 🙂
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Love this. Searching for joy. Because “euphoria and bliss are part of being happy, but they are transitory…” And, yes, we are human so expecting to be happy all the time is, excuse me, ridiculous. I have never had a happiness list. Never. I have ‘to-do’ lists. Many. Everywhere. The first thing on my new list tomorrow that will bring me joy will be “happiness list”.
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Thank you Sarah! I’m very grateful for your feedback and reading it was very a much a “joy moment’ for me today. I have ‘to-do” lists everywhere too! Have fun creating your ‘happiness list’. 🙂
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I never did this. I am back to turn myself in. 😉 Also, to remind myself to get off my arse and do this!
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Lovely read, thank you. I’m looking forward to writing poetry, completing a visual design course, and working with a designer to redesign my book. Not forgetting spending time with my children in between all of that 🙂
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My goodness you have a busy month ahead of you! Your visual design course will help with the redesign of your book – you’ll be an expert by the end of the month. 🙂 Thank you for sharing the things you are looking forward to in January.
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