Happiness

I watched a really great documentary yesterday called Happy. It was exactly what I needed to see because I have been kind of blue lately for no particular reason, and I needed to be reminded that I am in charge of my own feelings.

The movie talked about things I talk about all of the time: how money doesn't make people any happier, how doing for others and doing good things in your every day life adds to your happiness, and how people who meditate often seem to be happier.

What really struck me was the way true happiness seems to go against the whole idea of the "American way." People seem so caught up in that bigger house, nicer car, better shoes, fancier purse, etc. When really, they have shown once your basic needs are met: shelter, food, etc. "nicer" things don't make anyone any happier. In fact, what it does is act like a sort of treadmill so people just want more, and nicer, things. People start to take things for granted. I want to make sure I never become one of those people.

They found that people with close family and friendship ties were the happiest. People didn't have to love and get along with all their family members, but when they at least had that base, it helped in their overall sense of fulfillment in life. I think this is true. I've become pretty close with my folks, and I have really good close friends. And although I know I need to slow down and stop doing stuff with people almost every night, the reason I do is because I want my friends around. I actually got two days to myself this week and that was great, but I'm ready for dinner with Don tonight, Sean tomorrow, a Halloween party Friday, a girl brunch Saturday, then a date with Matt Saturday evening. The down time helped fuel me up for friend and boyfriend time.

Watching the documentary helped me out because I feel like in the past few weeks I have forgotten to meditate, forgotten to help my fellow man, and forgotten to do at least one thing every day to make someone else's day better. I have been really self-centered and I needed something to remind me that that is probably the worst thing I can do. So today I started by doing my "try and make everyone you pass on the street on the way in to work smile" thing. Not one person didn't smile. So it really helped me as much as it helped anyone else. It also proved my point that in a way, the things that I do are selfish. Yes, it might be helping others, but it is most assuredly helpful to me as well.

Happy picture of the day: Frida. Because I love her.

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