Tuesday Truth.
Number 33.
What is happiness?
Do you ever find yourself trying to chase happiness? And yet it just seems right out of your reach.
Let me try this?
Oh, but if I had that!
We tell ourselves these things far too often.
I stumbled across this quote recently and it was the perfect reminder to return to my places of contentment. The ones that leave me feeling at peace and where happiness settles down upon me. For me, that is through yoga and meditation. Through sitting in nature and just soaking in the beauty of the world. Through remembering to be in awe about the symbiotic relationship between ourselves and the earth. Finding the moments that make me grateful for my existence in this chaotic world.
Far too often I find myself striving to chase after this elusive happiness. And yet, when I am settled and when I am centered, it finds me.
Tell me your thoughts on happiness.
How do you seek it? Is it just beyond your grasp? Or has it alighted upon you in the quiet?
Let your light shine!
Amy
*and just a quick
This is such a good question, what is happiness. Really like the quote you shared along with the question – happiness comes to us when we least expect it. To me happiness is the simple things. Being greatful for what I have, being thankful for what I’ve been given. A lot of the times it is about the small wins, such as being able to make a nice dinner after work (as opposed to buying takeaway), having freshly washed sheets, little things like that 🙂
I love that you find happiness in the simple things. That’s such a great place to discover it! And small wins do feel so wonderful!
So true! We exhaust ourselves in the chase. My experience in life proves your quote!
Yes! That chase is so exhausting!!
I’m glad you said something. Some of your comments were in my spam folder. So weird!!
As for happiness… I’m still trying to figure that out for myself.
Sometimes WordPress does funny things even when you’re a regular commenter!
I think finding out what makes us happy is a journey and that sometimes it changes throughout the different phases of life. 🙂
Some time ago a blogger commented about their child calling butterflies ‘flutterbys’. That stuck with me because it seemed much more appropriate than the real word.
In the context of this quote, it also works. The really important stuff in life are the ‘small moments’ that seemly flutter by gently.
Today is not a flutter by gently day for me. I’m about to try something new very far outside my comfort zone and I’m nervous as hell.
{deep breaths … be the butterfly} 🦋
I love that term! “Flutterby”. That’s definitely more appropriate. And it does fit wonderfully with the quote.
I hope your new stretch outside your comfort zone went amazingly!!
It did!! I’m just organizing the photos now 🙂
WOAH! Chills. This is SO powerful. “Quiet” is the word of the year for me & so this resonated big time. I find that often we feel the need to find happiness through productivity when often it comes through the quiet, simple things. Thanks for sharing,Amy!
That is such a great word of the year, Mackenzie!! I do think that I’m often hunting for happiness by doing instead of just by being. Thanks so much for your thoughts!! xx
of course! xo
Hi Amy, I am with you on yoga and meditation. You always come into my life with a concept at the right time. I have read Dan Harris “10 % Happier” books, listened to podcasts he has been on, and I lately read about him 10% Happier App. He is all about how Meditation has made a huge difference in his life. Last night I read Oprah’s “Path made clear” book recommending this App. I am not a good meditator, usually only before yoga class. I will make a point of getting this App now, thanks to you. Re: WP issues, long story short, I am having issue with Comments/Replies on my site when I use Dashboard. My bandaid solution right now is Comments/Replies via Reader. A blogger was kind to point this out to me, since I suspected something was inconsistent, although I didn’t know how my site appeared to others. Using the Dashboard, my Replies are treated like Comments. A blogger will not know I replied to them (and I always do) Working on this, now that I recognize it is an actual problem. Thank goodness for the bandaid. Another great, thought- provoking post. Thank you:) Erica
Hi Erica! I read Dan Harris’s first 10% Happier book. I enjoyed reading his perspective. I haven’t read Oprah’s “Path made clear”, but I’m marking that one down. Did you end up getting the app? I’m curious to hear what you thought about it. At brief points, I’ve used the “Calm” and the “Shine” App. Most of the time, I find a meditation on YouTube and play it while in my office, but an app would be great for when I’m traveling.
I hope that you’ve gotten the commenting/replies worked out. The technical side of blogging is always the daunting side for me. 🙂 -Amy
Hi Amy, I was just checking my morning lists, and I have the app on a list:). Finished “Path made clear” and this is one of Oprah’s best books. Many quotes and entries from inspirational authors. And an easy pick up/put down read. I think I am at about 75% improvement on technical side. Ironed out some of the quirks, unless I am the quirky one😊
I think many people truly don’t understand happiness. It’s a choice. It’s where you find it, where you make it. They must think happiness is almost impossible to obtain, like sheer manic bliss…
I think you’re right Joey. Many times it is perspective. I think you can be having a shitty day and be unhappy about it, but you can also choose to shift your focus and be happy that you can walk, and see, and breathe. I’m learning to do that more often. 🙂
It’s so hard, but most of the time, I can manage. Always worth a shot 🙂
It seems lots of people are always chasing “the next thing”, aren’t they – rather than enjoying what they have.
It sure does Jonathan. I think it’s because we are constantly bombarded with all that there is to see and do. I’m working really hard to slow down and just enjoy what is in front of me. 🙂
With each passing year, I am increasingly convinced that happiness comes from the intangible, such as the incredible things we accomplish in our lives and the good deeds we pay forward, rather than the material things we accumulate.
I absolutely agree with you, Angela!!