Sunday 18 March 2012

Perpetually happy

Image by me

I have just started reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I am always intrigued and inspired by others who seek out happiness. What inspires one to decide today is the day they will be happy forever more? Are some people naturally happy and don’t need to seek it out?

I don’t recall being overly happy throughout my early 20s. I had a great life, I had freedom and money and good things happened to me. But I wasn’t perpetually ‘happy’. I enjoyed myself yes, but was I content and happy with my choices and my life’s path? Not entirely. I didn’t know that then, I just thought happiness was a great night out with friends, a decent closet and nonstop travels. I didn’t differentiate between entertainment and enjoyment. In fact I barely gave it a second thought.

As I have matured (I’M 41 NOW PEOPLE!) I have noticed my quest for true happiness has become an ongoing state whereby I spend every waking hour being aware of the small moments. I don’t seek out happiness so to speak, I simply enjoy each moment and see the happy-inducing stuff in those moments. My son’s smile. A sunny sky. A laugh with loved ones. An afternoon of no agenda, doing nothing. I wonder sometimes if others see me as insipid; I’m floating around smiling at the air around me, lapping up the joy and the wonderful moments as they happen. It’s exciting to bits in my own head, I actually have little outbursts of euphoria whereby my heart flutters and my tummy gets filled with butterflies, but on the outside the excitement is not noticeable. I wonder sometimes if I am dreaming, I wonder if these moments of happiness are all in my head. Are they?

In her book Gretchen Rubin talks about turning every day moments into happy moments. I get this. I found myself nodding at her words. She made a conscious decision to stop the negative internal monologue. I pity people that allow and encourage that negative internal monologue, personally I hate and avoid it. It makes me want to punch it in the head – take that negativity, go be negative elsewhere! I choose to be positive and enjoy my days, as that is what makes me smile. Think of a time you have had negative thoughts and I bet you weren’t smiling.

Happiness is a choice, and just like every other choice of action we make in our lives, it is a choice only the individual can make. 

I know what I choose.

17 comments:

  1. I am the same, Peggy. I choose to rise above the grim and the sad and the hard and the awful. I choose happy. x

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    1. Good choice Bron, good choice. xo

      Bit disappointed you didn't link up your awesome post on my self-love soiree last week. Next time don't think, just do it! ;)

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  2. I love the photo, such peacufull and happy colours in it xx

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    1. Thanks Mum, just softened a photo of some flowers on my window sill. Aren't they pretty?

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  3. Anonymous8:54 pm GMT+8

    What a great perspective - sounds like an interesting book!

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    1. It's great so far, I am only a few chapters in. It almost sounds too simple, but definitely worth a shot. :)

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  4. I love turning everyday moments into happiness moments.
    I have had the privilege of learning the art from two wonderful influences in my life.
    :-) x

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    1. What a wonderful privilege, even more beautiful that you're making the most of it. :) xo

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  5. Peggy, I am finding myself coming here daily to find ecouragement and inspiration in something of a hard time at the moment. And already I'm starting to realise it is not actually a "hard" time, it's just up to the way I look at the situation. I am determined to learn to make the most of it.
    And another thing dear cousin, you have truly made me appreciate kindness in myself and other people. I would love for other people to see me as kind and for others to feel good around me. You have shown me the light ;) xx

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    1. Oh Kaisla, you ARE TOO KIND! That is so sweet, thank you so much for letting me know that. I am seriously rapt if you are even slightly inspired. Thank you. :)

      Fortunately the result of most of what we have to endure relies heavily on how we deal with situations and our mindset when we approach them. We can never change another person's action or many situations, we can however control how we deal with them. In saying that it isn't always easy to remain positive and to see the good in all situations. Awareness is definitely a good start. Stay strong lovely, and remember the hard time will pass. xo

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  6. It's those everyday moments that bring the greatest joy and magic too! I look for and enjoy the little things. And I find that often it's the big things, the things that once made me happy, that no longer hold the same appeal.

    Happy days and happy moments, x

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    1. I totally agree Kate. I find the big things might bring momentary 'fun' but the small moments are what leave an imprint of joy on my soul. And they leave me wanting more. :) xo

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  7. I LOVED The Happiness Project. I have to admit I approached it with some trepidation thinking it might be one of those "YOU CAN DO IT" self-help books, but so many people I admired had read it so I thought "hey, it can't be THAT bad".

    Well I just loved the practical and considered way Gretchen approached her project and I learned so much from this book! Her next book is coming out soon - A Happy Home I think it is called.

    And of course you know I both love and subscribe to your philosophy of focusing on the good and not dwelling on the bad. There is bad everywhere. But there is LOTS of good too. And it is the good that makes us happy

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  8. I need to be more like you. I feel like I get more enjoyment out of the everyday moments now that Fletch is here. I revel in every moment with him and that is making me learn to appreciate the "now" more and more. Thanks for the reminder to live in the moment x

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  9. I agree that happiness is in individual moments in time, rather than on the whole. A great way of looking at your life Peggy, as it is a choice xo

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  10. Inspiring as always Peggy. It is a definite choice, and really why wouldn't you choose to get rid of the negative and be happy!

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  11. Stopping the negative internal chatter is a work in progress for me...one day at a time for sure. I know on days I do a better job than others I feel better, lighter and happier. :)

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