What can you do to be Happier?
Every other week I meet with a group of creative women for our Creative Cluster, a group formed around The Artist's Way that we use to keep us on track and moving forward in our creative endeavors. We have decided to read a new book together called "Happier" because it will keep us moving forward and exploring inner depths to help us on our journeys.
I'm only on Chapter 3, and already I'm loving this book! There are so many things to tackle, implement and incorporate into my daily being that I'm hoping as a group we will decide to read 1 chapter every 2 weeks instead of a chapter per week... it's a succint book and sometimes I can only ingest a few paragraphs at a time.
One of the "Time-In" exercises -- those that allow you to get to know yourself more -- that author Tal Ben-Shahar introduces early on is: How do you define happiness? What does happiness mean to you?
This is a juicy one. It's easy for me to think of things I enjoy, happy times and the like... but happiness as a concept is harder for me to pin down. Here's where my mind went... I find these exercises easier for me when I write, otherwise I lose my thoughts and my focus, and the processing doesn't sink in.
Happiness is a state of open acceptance, where needs and wants are sated. There is gratitude for what you have and a levity to being. Less is more with Happiness because it can be easily weighted down by things.
For me, happiness means calmness and comfort. It can be repitition in my days -- running, work, writing -- and it can also mean creating space for the unexpected. Allowing room in my day, openness in my thoughts. Happiness comes from within, so I need quiet time to listen, observe and process.
Happiness also equates to levity and surprise for me. It's different than contentment. It's important to not be stuck in routine. To allow laughter and creative thinking and creative acceptance. Happiness has a touch of adventure that broadens my perspective, piques my interest, and captures my curiosity when something unexpected arises. Happiness exists in the balance between those worlds of comfortable routines and unexpected adventures.
That last line sums it up so well! Yet I see how I had to journal through all the issues to get to my personal definition:
Happiness exists in the balance between those worlds of comfortable routines and unexpected adventures.
How are you defining happiness for yourself? What steps are you taking to be happier in your life?