On the Right Side of Happiness

05/31/2011

0 Comments

 
Happy: At state of well-being and contentment; pleasurable satisfaction

I often wonder how many of us truly know what it means to be happy. In this superficial world we live in we associate happiness with houses, cars, clothes and other items that can be bought in a store. Some people spend their entire lives working to achieve things. Then, when they get them they still aren’t happy---at least not long term. You want to know why? It has been proven through research that things only bring temporary happiness.  That euphoric feeling you have after purchasing that fast car, those new red bottom shoes or 60 inch flat screen TV eventually fades after you get used to having them. In his book, “Happy: Simple Steps to Getting the Most Out of Life,” Dr. Ian Smith shares what brings true happiness. It includes:
  • Family, friends and social companionship
  • Helping others
  • Appreciating what you have and not feeling wistful about what you don’t have
  • Pursuing a passion
  • Taking pride in one’s work
  • Forgiving someone for an offense and moving on
  • Not trying to keep up with the Jones
You didn’t see Gucci, Louie, Prada or Christian Louboutin on that list anywhere did you? Of course being financially stable can contribute to your happiness but a millionaire will tell you that his money would mean nothing without the people who mean the most to him or her to share it with. Think about it this way. What if I gave you an unlimited amount of money to throw yourself a birthday party? It’s everything you ever dreamed except for one problem. No one showed up to help you celebrate. The expensive venue with the decorations you had done by the best event planner in the country, who spared no expense on everything you asked for, really wouldn’t matter would it?  There’s no one to hug you and tell you happy birthday. There are no people there to toast to the day you were born. There’s no one to tell you how fly you look in your designer outfit. There is no one to get your boogie on with on the dance floor. And there’s no one to sing you happy birthday before you blow out the candles on your huge, overpriced cake. You got everything you wanted, but I’m sure you would deem your party a flop. You would probably leave feeling unwanted and unloved. Am I right?

I’ll trade temporary happiness for a lifetime of happiness any day. So each day I’m working to achieve the things on that list--what really matters. So I can stay on the right side of happiness.  

Find more blogs by Jae Henderson at My Side of the Single Life, http://imagoodwoman2.blogspot.com. You can also purchase my book, Someday here, http://www.amazon.com/shops/jaehenderson.

Add Comment
 

Be Happy Where You Are

03/12/2010

0 Comments

 
Many of the topics we embrace on IGW are designed to help make us better. However, it is also important to be happy where you are. Some of us desire better jobs, a spouse, children, a better body, etc. I encourage you to set goals that will allow you to achieve those things but while you’re working on the enhanced version of you love the you, you are now. Very few of us are exactly where we want to be in life but I’m a firm believer that God blesses us according to our faith, his favor and our ability to be good stewards over what he has given us. If you want a house, take good care of that apartment you have now. Maybe it’s a luxury car you desire. Learn how to maintain the car you have now. Is it clean? Are you getting regularly scheduled maintenance and oil changes or is it dirty, one tire is low on air and you can’t remember the last time you had an oil change? So you want a better job? Are you working in your current position to the best of your ability while applying for a new one or are you producing mediocre work, complaining every day and wishing somebody would miraculously offer you a new job?  Have you looked into going to school so you can start on a new and exciting career? In order to have what you’ve never had, you have to do what you’ve never done. So you want a man? Learn to be happy being single. There are so many things you can do when you’re single that you can’t just up and do on a whim when you’re married. Go do them and have a darn good time! When life is good is shows all over you but especially in your face. The best accessory I know is a smile. Get your facial bling bling on! Men love a happy, self-confident, self-fulfilled woman and before you know it that smile and positive disposition will become a magnet and Mr. Right will appear.

I know smiling and doing your best in a less than favorable situation can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. You can do it my sister because with GOD all things are possible. Be the best in all you do and someone who is able to elevate your position will take notice and you will be rewarded. You can have it all, but it won’t happen over night. In the interim, be happy where you. The smile that decorates your face during your present will be even wider when the blessings start pouring in.

Add Comment