Are you Happy?
I read an article today on Twitter about “Happy People”. It outlined 5 characteristics that differentiated happy people from unhappy people. In a nutshell, the happiest amongst us, manage our money well, spend our money on what we need as opposed to what we want, think of our past fondly,understand complete strangers emotions by showing a warm smile when passing (paraphrasing) and live in a great community.
Interesting.
Since this study was based off of “consumer’s” behaviors I guess I would agree with their end results, somewhat. I am unsure how however, smiling at a complete stranger and feeling warm and fuzzes fit into one’s consumer habits, but I do know the power of positive nonverbal communication and would agree with sharing or what most would call “paying it forward” in simple, God given talents like smiling, doing
something nice or the like… but are those the things that truly make us happy?
I have also read many articles where Billionaires (who know how to manage money well and while making it rich purchased only the necessities since their entire life’s worth was wrapped up in their soon to be gold mine) who have committed murder, embezzled, lied, cheated and stole ideas to become alone in a jail cell and or drug user (yes and went on to live happy lives…give me a break! I am trying to make
a point here).
Is how we manage or what we spend our money on really a determining factor of happiness?
I would say, “Not always”. I had two parents who didn’t have much in the field of “wealth” while they raised me (wealth came after me leaving our home) yet they were and still are the happiest people I know today.
So what is it that truly determines happiness?
Money? Friends? Family? Love? Children? Faith? Health? Our occupation? Our paycheck? Ones Spouse (or significant other)? The number printed on the jeans we wear? … What?
….
I believe it is personal. An individual response and/or our “needs” today triggered by our environment. Ok. I know I rarely make sense…try this, (a blonde girls response) to make it easier: it is we who are choosing today to make us happy. Does that help? … NO? … I will try again…
I believe that happiness is a choice.
(I am polish and damn proud of it!!)
We have to make the choice daily to be happy, of course.
No one and nothing in our lives promises happiness.
Horrible things happen daily that we have NO CONTROL OVER…death, illnesses, sadness, rejection, loss of jobs, and loss of money…. I could go on. I choose not to…
Each day we as individuals have to wake up to these realities and CHOOSE to be happy despite the situations and consequences.
We must chose to smile at the annoying man in front of us in line at the pharmacy who has asked a million questions and needs way more help than a five year old to get his meds. We have to choose to notice the homeless person on the side of the street holding the sign that reads “Needs work! I have four hungry children to feed. I’ll do anything needed.”
We have to choose to not judge by their clothes or possible addictions and we must do what the researchers say…SMILE (or give what we can).
We must learn to accept our failures and others mistreatment of us. Forgive our employer or our neighbor
for doing us wrong. We have to learn to say, “I am sorry” for all the horrible things we have (and if you are anything like me…) will do in the future. We need to say more, “I LOVE you” and truly mean it. When we say, “I forgive you” we need to realize it is for our own self, not to whom it was directed.
We need to treat others, everyone…our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, politicians, clergy men/woman,
doctors, and most of all US… we need to learn to treat everyone the way we want to be treated.
We need to realize that the community we live in thrives on what we give positively to others and most of all ourselves.
Here is where I believe the research may be wrong about the article on Happiness… It is not about the money we spend or how we spend it… whether fiscally sound or not… it is about how we impact our community and those whom live among us. It is about choosing to be happy with the situations we have and plastering that smile (which everyone loves) for the entire world to see.
The sad truth is, not everyone is happy.
Life is really hard.
Happiness is a choice.
Happiness is giving and expecting nothing in return.
One thing I have learned in my short (almost) 41 years here on earth is…
Happiness may not always be given to me. We (I and you too) have to fight for it…
Ask for it…Live for it.
If you know of others in your life that could use a helping hand … give it to them.
Whether it is money or just a smile. P L E A S E …
GIVE IT.
Do it today.
Right now.
Without thinking… you just might save a life or at the very
least
…Make someone HAPPY!
~TPB -
(for more visit http://thepolishblonde.blogspot.com/)
LIKE!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Love the article too and agree with the 4 points.
ReplyDelete1. Manage our money well - when you don't have debt it helps with happiness, doesn't say be wealthy.
2. Spend our money on what we need as opposed to what we want - don't worry about keeping up with the Jone's, you know what is important to you
3. Think of our past fondly - or don't blame your past on your present or future, yes, we have a choice to be happy!
4. Understand complete strangers emotions by showing a warm smile when passing (paraphrasing) and live in a great community - have empathy with others, the toughest point for me which will add to being happy... not to judge or make assumptions, the walk a mile in 'their' shoes concept.
Yes, I agree having those qualities will help you be happy! You are right either way, it is a choice.
"Happiness is a warm gun" to quote the Beatles song.
ReplyDelete