If you do, you’re probably not. I just listened to a podcast interview with NPR National Correspondent Eric Weiner (joining
guest host Ted Asregadoo filling in for Michael Krasney) for a discussion of his new book, "The
Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the
World." He found out that if people think about being happy a lot, they’re less likely to be happy. So when you’re riding a motorcycle across the country, and you’re not thinking, "Gee, I’m happy," then you’re happy, right? But if you are thinking, "Gee, I’m happy," then your mind starts measuring your happiness against your unhappiness. Like that boyfriend you left in the dust, or the boss or the mother in law or the knock you picked up in the right side of the engine about 100 miles ago and ungrateful children and the mortgage… I could go on, but I’ve decided I’m not going to think about being happy any more. Check it out here. You’ll be surprised at the results of his research – the happiest place in the world is . . . find out.
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I don’t agree with this, Carla. I’m often aware of how happy I am these days, and I appreciate it on a daily basis, sometimes several times a day.
True, having spent many years in unhappiness, has made me more cognizant of my present happiness. But being aware of happiness does not mean you’re necessarily comparing it to unhappiness. It is possible to just rest in bliss and be aware of it the whole time, aware of happiness!
Dana
Thanks for talking about the show! Since you have such a passion for motorcycles I’m wondering if you’ve read any of Neil Peart’s books?
Well, I can’t say that I’m particularly happy, but I don’t dwell on it either; I just try to keep busy. I think happiness is in your genes; you either have it naturally, or you don’t. And how important is happiness anyway? The people who have contributed most to this world were usually not very happy, they were driven. Conversely, the happiest people I’ve known had accomplished very little in their lives, other than raising some children, which is important. I suppose we’d all live longer if we were happier, but how important is that? We Americans spend too much time in “the pursuit of happiness”.
I am the happiest I have ever been in my life. The key is to be happy is to say you are ok with where you are at. I love to volunteer and this makes me very happy. Money does not make anyone happy. Sometimes when you have no money you are the happiest. I have been out of a job for about 16 months. This does not upset me at all. I take every day and make it a good day. I have had the best time being out of work and helping other people. Life is about what you do to make this world a better place. I can say I have made the world a better place and I am blessed for that. Many people go through life trying to hurt people and keep everything for them-self and in the end they loss. If you want to improve your life go and volunteer see how you can change the world.
You’re right, James. I recently had a similar experience where I volunteer at the Atlanta Community Tool Bank. I was able to fix two of their generators that were not running, and they were very appreciative. That made me happy!