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Happiness

January 7th, 2009 at 02:07 pm

I have to share something, because I think

Text is this could be one of the best blog entries I've ever read. and Link is http://zenhabits.net/2009/01/the-single-secret-to-making-2009-your-best-year-ever/
this could be one of the best blog entries I've ever read. Please feel free to jump there first before finishing this entry.

To add, I do think happiness is fleeting, and when it arrives, we don't always register it as such, because often times, it's the little things. Well, at least I don't notice because I can be dense sometimes.

But the upside is that I believe happiness is also always right around the corner. You're never far from it, if you work towards it.

I also think happiness is, or rather should be internal. You can't hold out and wait for someone else or something else to make you happy. Otherwise, you could end up waiting forever.

Most relevant of all, I don't think there is a conflict between happiness and money. There are rich happy people, and there are poor happy people. There are also rich unhappy people, and there are poor unhappy people. (Although, statistically, the rich tend to be happier, especially if the goal is financial security, not worldly possessions.)

To be honest, happiness is something that has been elusive to me for years. So, for 2009, among other things, I'm going to pursue a happier, more meaningful year.

8 Responses to “Happiness”

  1. Caoineag Says:
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    Reminds me about the saying that life is about the journey not the destination. If you never stop to think about where you are it and how you feel about it, you can miss most of your life. I have had a lot of tragedy in my life so maybe that influences me but I always like to take a moment to enjoy the life I have built for myself. I am also an introvert so that may explain the self reflection as well, Big Grin

  2. Petunia Says:
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    I agree that this is a really good article. I have often thought that happiness is a by-product of doing things that are meaningful to you, so it's tough to pursue only happiness without figuring out what gives meaning to your life. He gives a really good framework to work with. Do you read Zen Habits regularly? I'm frequently inspired by his writing.

  3. snoopycool Says:
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    Perhaps this is just semantics.

    I think that joy is sustaining and can be with you always, as happiness is fleeting. Joy will take you through the situations that provide no sort of happiness. It is your outlook and attitude that lend to joy, and always having hope for a better tomorrow.

    That said...

    "Happy, happy... joy, joy"

  4. Broken Arrow Says:
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    I JUST discovered Zen Habits, but I suspect I'll be reading it often from this point out.

  5. gruntina Says:
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    Great article! Be Happy but also develop a thick skin so you can be happy without letting anyone else affect you!

    I learned that from some people who are not happy hates it when I am happy and often try to sabatoge it for me to make them selves feel better.

  6. Maismom Says:
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    This is very true, and I'm speaking from my own experience.

    I used to be one very unhappy person, and hated the world. I was not happy because nobody was trying hard enough to make me happy. I was waiting for people to make me happy, or I thought happiness just happens, like, pure luck. I was mad at world because nobody delivered happiness to me.

    Then, one day, I realized that the only person who can make me happy is me!! What a shocker! Yeah, I know. I was young and dumb. I admit it. But I'm glad I discovered the secret of happiness after suffering so many years of unhappiness.

    Needless to say, I'm a pretty happy person now : )

  7. Ms. Pearl Says:
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    I agree with Maismom. Just recently have I started to recognize the inherent joy in a blue sky, an air conditioned house, my cozy black sweater. It is about being in the present. Living in the past is a life killer and thinking happiness exists in a future of "ifs" is a tedious, unhappy existence. Thanks for sharing.

  8. monkeymama Says:
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    I'm a pretty happy person.

    I think in general, people are always striving for some goal and they think that will make them happier. Really, human nature.

    It is the one thing that frustrates me a little about this community. So much emphasis on, "When I am out of debt I will be happy." "When I retire I will be happy." "I don't want to enjoy life now because I want to retire at 50." I think I have said a few times, that is not my style. I think it's much more important to find balance in your life now. It's more important to find what makes you happy now. If it's going to take 20 years to get there, find something else to make you happy in the interim. Otherwise you set yourself up for disappointment.

    Anyway, great post!

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