Thoughts on Happiness

The article that I shared last week seems a bit scarce, to me in some ways, in it's analysis of what we need to let go of to be happy. That is not to say that I don't agree with the ideas put forth, they certainly aren't new ideas, however.


The idea of letting go to find happiness is a solid concept but, what are the things that we need to embrace or get a hold of?

I argue that the more we can bring into ourselves, instead of sending outside of ourselves, the happier we'll be. It's just the other side of the coin, really, but I feel like coming at it from a positive perspective of gathering, nurturing, collecting (god knows we humans love to collect), instead of putting ourselves in a mental state of "I have this evil/bad/unhappiness-conjuring thing in me that I have to expel" is more productive.

So-here are three small perspective shifts that I am trying to incorporate. Let me know what you think!

1. Instead of letting go of the need to criticize, embrace tolerance. This may sound hokey but here's the difference-our ability to discern and criticize people, situations, those ridiculous shoes or that unmanageable customer can actually be a positive thing. When it's all we rely on, however, is when it becomes a problem. We need to be able to think whollistically about a situation, which doesn't mean trying to approach everything as some other-wordly God or Goddess of Patience-it does mean looking at people and things and even *that* customer as a complete person or a complete thought instead of allowing ourselves to get carried away in the negativity. If we can embrace our Tolerance, literally open ourselves up to accept more of who a person or thing is, in the moment, whatever that means, we will find ourselves happier, calmer people. I am a naturally critical person so for me this is going to be a hard but worthwhile shift.

2. Embrace your creativity-whatever that is. When our minds and hearts are engaged in something we deem important or nurturing, we tend to be happier. It's why employees who work at jobs where their input is valued and asked for, they're happier with their jobs. It's why when we sit down to read our favorite magazine or blog that the time slips away. So, nurture the thing inside you that brings you into this state of happiness, calm and serenity. If the "same old, same old" isn't working, try something different.

3. Get in touch with and hold on to your inner Crazy. If you need help, read this article: http://www.chrismcdougall.com/blog/2012/04/who-cares-how-geronimo-died/ I'm not saying that we all have to run off and disappear into the mountains, but who knows, it might just do us some good. And it certainly would get us in touch with that raw, spacious, beautiful energy we all possess.


There are more out there but this is just the first attempt for me to try to pinpoint and define what I call "Happiness".

I look forward to your thoughts!