Hi Gary - I think happiness is often attached to external circumstances. I'm trying to find my joy instead and to have it despite what's going on in my country or the world in general. Inner joy radiates and for me, it's based around gratitude, simplicity, contentment, being at peace, and love.
Beautifully said, Leanne. I believe it's possible to project the internal into our external world and also take some of what we see, hear and experience in the external into our internal. And then, possibly touch the eternal. Thanks for sharing! 💜
Gary I think happiness for me is a deep inner gratitude for life. I will often substitute "inner peace" for the word happiness, but only because happiness has tended in our culture and language to connote a more surface or shallow emotion than I think we are really searching for.
I have been intrigued over the years by this topic and the King of Bhutan and his Gross National Happiness concept. Thanks for this fun reminder. I read a book by Tricia Goyer exploring the idea of happiness in the Lord. She said George Mueller spoke of this idea. I often distinguish between happiness and joy, knowing that joy comes from within, from abiding in Christ. But over time, I've realized that leading happy lives can be an art, and maybe a state that's not necessarily pulled down by hard circumstances. A friend who is a theologian said that actually the word for happiness and joy aren't so different in Hebrew. But I take comfort in knowing the best things in this regard remain an inside job, and joy can be cultivated in our spiritual lives which gives us stability regardless of what's going on around us.
I especially like this, "...I take comfort in knowing the best things in this regard remain an inside job..." thanks for sharing your thoughtful response.
I analyse and question and explore things a lot. For happiness I tend to say I am happy rather than Am I happy. I look at situations and do what I can. In politics I make sure my vote is counted. I’m not interested in running for office. For air pollution I plant a tree in my garden. I’m not capable of revegetating the banks of a stream so I do what I can. For poverty at home or abroad I donate something. I’m not in a position to visit impoverished countries to help them but I can donate money or goods. I guess when I think about it I actively change or adjust my life to make it easy to be happy.
Thank you, Gary. It’s a tough one because I’m feeling happy all the time whatever my circumstances are, happiness is an inner state of being for me. I don’t like what is going on in my country, France, right now, politically speaking but there nothing I can do about it so I stick to my own purpose which is spreading love, joy and hope around me hoping that it will make a difference more globally, one day. Lots of love.
Good on you,. Geraldine. We have to rise above the political miasma in order not to get dragged down into the muck where not much good is happening. Politics often a "dirty" business and in the U.S. too much about $$ as that's one of the top values there. We live as ex-pats in Mexico where the top value, culturally speaking, is family. A friend who has lived here for over 30 years says that it's possible to be poor and happy in Mexico. Interesting observation.
Happiness is waking up and getting up - it happens first thing every morning. Except when someone holds me back from getting up, and that's even better.
This was really interesting, Gary. There’s a lot to think about. I’m reminded of this Abraham Lincoln quote: “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
Happiness is freedom with a sense of purpose.
Thank you, Bakhtawar. I’ve never seen a more accurate definition of happiness than yours! Lots of love.
💚💚
Happiness is thinking what would “enough” look like and then realize it was this moment
Hi Gary - I think happiness is often attached to external circumstances. I'm trying to find my joy instead and to have it despite what's going on in my country or the world in general. Inner joy radiates and for me, it's based around gratitude, simplicity, contentment, being at peace, and love.
Beautifully said, Leanne. I believe it's possible to project the internal into our external world and also take some of what we see, hear and experience in the external into our internal. And then, possibly touch the eternal. Thanks for sharing! 💜
Gary I think happiness for me is a deep inner gratitude for life. I will often substitute "inner peace" for the word happiness, but only because happiness has tended in our culture and language to connote a more surface or shallow emotion than I think we are really searching for.
Happiness to me is now, this moment.
I have been intrigued over the years by this topic and the King of Bhutan and his Gross National Happiness concept. Thanks for this fun reminder. I read a book by Tricia Goyer exploring the idea of happiness in the Lord. She said George Mueller spoke of this idea. I often distinguish between happiness and joy, knowing that joy comes from within, from abiding in Christ. But over time, I've realized that leading happy lives can be an art, and maybe a state that's not necessarily pulled down by hard circumstances. A friend who is a theologian said that actually the word for happiness and joy aren't so different in Hebrew. But I take comfort in knowing the best things in this regard remain an inside job, and joy can be cultivated in our spiritual lives which gives us stability regardless of what's going on around us.
I especially like this, "...I take comfort in knowing the best things in this regard remain an inside job..." thanks for sharing your thoughtful response.
I analyse and question and explore things a lot. For happiness I tend to say I am happy rather than Am I happy. I look at situations and do what I can. In politics I make sure my vote is counted. I’m not interested in running for office. For air pollution I plant a tree in my garden. I’m not capable of revegetating the banks of a stream so I do what I can. For poverty at home or abroad I donate something. I’m not in a position to visit impoverished countries to help them but I can donate money or goods. I guess when I think about it I actively change or adjust my life to make it easy to be happy.
Happiness for me is presence.
from John O'Donohue
"For Presence"
Awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to follow its path,
Let the flame of anger free you of all falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame.
May anxiety never linger about you,
May our outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention,
Be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.
Beautiful, Gary. Thank you for sharing this. I have this book on my shelf! Love John's work. Reading this brought me back to presence again—happiness.
Thank you, Gary. It’s a tough one because I’m feeling happy all the time whatever my circumstances are, happiness is an inner state of being for me. I don’t like what is going on in my country, France, right now, politically speaking but there nothing I can do about it so I stick to my own purpose which is spreading love, joy and hope around me hoping that it will make a difference more globally, one day. Lots of love.
Good on you,. Geraldine. We have to rise above the political miasma in order not to get dragged down into the muck where not much good is happening. Politics often a "dirty" business and in the U.S. too much about $$ as that's one of the top values there. We live as ex-pats in Mexico where the top value, culturally speaking, is family. A friend who has lived here for over 30 years says that it's possible to be poor and happy in Mexico. Interesting observation.
Happiness is being in the moment -- be it joyful or sorrowful -- and understanding I have the capacity to make the very most of whatever comes my way.
If I have about 40% to "do my part and trend toward happiness" I had better give 100% to arrive at that goal!
Happiness is forgetting who I think I am. 😊
Happiness is waking up and getting up - it happens first thing every morning. Except when someone holds me back from getting up, and that's even better.
Yay Scandinavia! (I'm half Danish)
This was really interesting, Gary. There’s a lot to think about. I’m reminded of this Abraham Lincoln quote: “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
I love this poem.
Most especially, the line: “May our outer dignity mirror a dignity of soul.”
The sentence — for me — borders on perfection. At the very least, it is absolutely exquisite…