HAPPINESS IS NOT A DESTINATION; HAPPINESS IS A DIRECTION
Nov
11
Quote that has been on our kitchen fridge for 50 years!!!"We need adversity to keep us vigilant, safe and to learn." - Arthur Brooks
I just awakened from a nightmare!! In my dream, I all of a sudden lost the convertible car I was driving along with our dog and purse in which I was carrying a few hundred dollars. I managed to call my husband and retraced my steps, but finally, we decided I had to get a job with my nursing skills to make up for the loss.
Nothing like waking up to find that it was a dream!!! The seed for loving life more this morning.
Today, I'm listening to Tim Ferris as he interviews Arthur Brooks, Harvard professor of Happiness studies who grew up in Seattle. It also drives me crazy to hear the standard goal in life: "I want to be happy!" I like his suggestion that we work to achieve "HAPPIERNESS".
Brooks says, "Three big areas one can address to work on HAPPIER Is:
1. Looking for Enjoyment.
2. Finding Satisfaction.
3. Deciding on Purpose and Meaning for one's life."
There is one question Brooks poses with which I disagree. In searching for meaning he suggests: "What are you willing to die for?"
I look at life here on earth a little differently. Dying is easy. It's not something to be afraid of. Life and struggles are a privilege. I think the question should be, "What are you willing to live for?"
Two incidents have clarified Meaning for me. When our first daughter was born, I stared at the miracle of life who was nothing a year earlier. It occurred to me that I would see great grandchildren! I decided I wanted to see responsible, kind, resilient, truth telling individuals. Therefore, I asked myself, "What do I need to do to parent Lynette, who would need to parent her future children to parent?"
We're almost there as our first grandson is getting married soon and Lynette and Joe have done great so far. Of course, the purpose needs to extend to the children of all five of our grandchildren with building character.
The second incident was in 1972 when I was a teacher's assistant at Stevens Elementary School in Seattle. Juanita Thomas was my head teacher and I learned so much from her with many deep philosophical discussions. One night I had a dream that I was carried up in rapture and ALL I HAD TO DO WAS BELIEVE. I do believe in God along with doing what's right. All the requirements of various human led groups are choices that I may or may not want to abide by, depending on what I want for social connections.
For sure, I'm happier to be daily listening to good advice, starting each morning with thoughts of thankfulness, making plans for being happier each day and sharing with others on this blog.
Nothing like waking up to find that it was a dream!!! The seed for loving life more this morning.
Today, I'm listening to Tim Ferris as he interviews Arthur Brooks, Harvard professor of Happiness studies who grew up in Seattle. It also drives me crazy to hear the standard goal in life: "I want to be happy!" I like his suggestion that we work to achieve "HAPPIERNESS".
Brooks says, "Three big areas one can address to work on HAPPIER Is:
1. Looking for Enjoyment.
2. Finding Satisfaction.
3. Deciding on Purpose and Meaning for one's life."
There is one question Brooks poses with which I disagree. In searching for meaning he suggests: "What are you willing to die for?"
I look at life here on earth a little differently. Dying is easy. It's not something to be afraid of. Life and struggles are a privilege. I think the question should be, "What are you willing to live for?"
Two incidents have clarified Meaning for me. When our first daughter was born, I stared at the miracle of life who was nothing a year earlier. It occurred to me that I would see great grandchildren! I decided I wanted to see responsible, kind, resilient, truth telling individuals. Therefore, I asked myself, "What do I need to do to parent Lynette, who would need to parent her future children to parent?"
We're almost there as our first grandson is getting married soon and Lynette and Joe have done great so far. Of course, the purpose needs to extend to the children of all five of our grandchildren with building character.
The second incident was in 1972 when I was a teacher's assistant at Stevens Elementary School in Seattle. Juanita Thomas was my head teacher and I learned so much from her with many deep philosophical discussions. One night I had a dream that I was carried up in rapture and ALL I HAD TO DO WAS BELIEVE. I do believe in God along with doing what's right. All the requirements of various human led groups are choices that I may or may not want to abide by, depending on what I want for social connections.
For sure, I'm happier to be daily listening to good advice, starting each morning with thoughts of thankfulness, making plans for being happier each day and sharing with others on this blog.
