But what are the big things that make people happy? What is the mother of all happiness-inducers, that which applies to just about everyone, just about all of the time?
And if we could find this thing, this key to happiness, how much could it change people's lives if only they kept it in mind as they lived their lives, perhaps especially calling it to memory when things got rough?
I have thought a lot on this subject, and I am pretty pleased with my answer thus far in my life.
What, in my opinion, is the key to happiness?
Well, I'd say that it is two-fold.
1.) Appreciation.
If you could look at your life for a moment with completely unbiased eyes, you would see how much beauty touches it every single day. You would notice, really notice, all of the wonderful people you have been blessed to know, the talents and positive traits that you embody, and the little, small things that make you smile, here and there, every day. I think that truly seeing all of the beauty in your life and focusing on that instead of the parking ticket you got last Wednesday makes it pretty difficult to be anything other than happy.
2.) Sense of Humor.
Laugh. Every day. At everything, and everyone. Laugh at your brother. Laugh at a movie. Laugh at your goofy physics teacher. But most importantly, make it a point to laugh at YOURSELF. Admittedly, sometimes life can be really serious, and really sad. But if you can find the humor in day to day situations--if you can see the lighter side of life and of yourself and realize just how silly everyone and everything can seem, you will be the person who spends more time smiling than frowning. The person who spends more time smiling than making that nothing/blah face that so many people wear regularly and the one that I can't stand to look at. Few things in this life are certain, but one thing that I can say with absolute certainty, is that when I get old (God willing), I hope that my laugh lines are as deep as my years will allow.
But now that I've told you what I think, I wonder...what do you think? And you, and you, and you???
What would other people say is the key to happiness? What wonderful bits of knowledge do we have that we might be able to share with one another?
I want to know what you think, so I am going to ask.
I'm going to use facebook as my vehicle, and post the responses I get on my blog. So wish me luck!
To be continued...
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And....continued! Here are the amazing answers I have received so far! Thanks for contributing!
"As for my reply the short answer would have to be a sense of purpose and love, in which ever order suites you. To feel as if you've accomplished something and to have a sense of purpose for the moment and for the moments to come puts life into perspective, I feel. It makes it easier to wake up the next day and try try try again and thus increases one's level of happiness. And to have love makes it all worth while. It doesn't have to be the romantic love we fantisize on the silver screen or in our own imaginiations, but even as simple as loving oneself can make or break the experience that is life. To love what you do and how you do it makes the accomplishment taste all the more sweet and the sweat you put into achieving that purose worth the effort. To quote the beautiful musical Moulin Rouge, 'love lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love'."
-Tisha Farris, University of Pittsburgh graduate with Bachelors degree in Environmental Studies and Yogini at Santa Fe Community Yoga Center
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"The first thing that came to my mind, was Self-Worth. Having low self-esteem most of my life created a spiral of unhappiness. Realizing my self-worth (which came from finding success in life) changed my entire outlook on life.
Secondly... acceptance. I suppose for me, acceptance strongly correlates with satisfaction. I mean this in an absolutely positive way. I learned to accept that certain things weren't going to go my way, or certain people weren't going change, or certain memories would always be painful--- this led me to remove myself from the hurtful people, situations and problems that I could. I accepted defeats and failures-- and because I knew that I had tried everything in my power, I was satisfied with the outcome. Maybe not happy ... or sad... but satisfied.
Kind of like the serenity prayer, 'God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference'."
-Melanie Steuernagel
Special Education Teacher at Derry Area Senior High School and mommy of one Aubrey Rose Steuernagel
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