Hello Miracles!
What makes you happy? Or is that the wrong question?
Above the desk where I do most of my work, I have a large poster of a Gavin Aung Than illustration of a Henry David Thoreau quote. The quote reads:
Happiness is like a butterfly, the more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.
For most of my life, I believed that happiness was a choice. This belief made it easy for me to berate myself when I was depressed, anxious, or otherwise miserable. Thirteen years ago, I learned that I had an anxiety disorder as well as depression. More recently, I also discovered I had ADHD.
Happiness was much more complicated than a choice.
Eleven years ago, I formally abandoned my idea that happiness was a choice and adopted two different views. One is perfectly articulated by the Thoreau quote. Happiness is the result of our choices, but an undue focus on it will drive us and happiness further apart.
The second view I adopted was that I wanted to live in such a way that my primary emotional state was content—not happy. Contentment is what I think most of us mean when we say happiness. It’s also more sustainable and durable.
Rarely am I more content than when I’m sipping a hot mug of dark chocolate cocoa on a frigid winter evening while reading a book.
Where do you stand on the happiness question?
Be the weird you want to see in the world!
Cheers,
Jason
Such important reminders, Jason! A few years ago I was able to shift my perspective as well and it has helped me tremendously.
I really think you should sell those mugs!