How to Be Happy? Part 3 of 3

 
"Twilight Zone" episode called "All The Time in the World". It's about a man who would be happy just to read books, but is stopped by obstacles in his life.

Everyone has a different idea about what would bring happiness in his or her life. Determine what would make you happy and write a list. As long as it's not hurting anyone else, write it down. Then try to do it.

Have large goals that can be broken down into steps. Do them one at a time.  Also, have small goals you can do daily. Something that will make you laugh or at least smile.

People and circumstances will create obstacles. Jump over them! Each day, do something that makes you happy. Watch a favorite show or do something special just for you. Slow down if only for 15 minutes to take in life - smell the roses as they say. After all, life goes by quickly and you don't want to miss it.

Try to find fun or happiness in activities that you normally do. For instance, if you hate filing at work,  then listen to your favorite music while you're doing it. Lose yourself in the melody. Or give yourself a reward for completing a difficult task.

 Don't forget to enjoy the company of your friends and family. And help others by lifting them up so they are happy, also.You'll feel great helping people. No excuses. Start today.

The Reasons Why It's Difficult to Find Happiness Part 2 of 3

My favorite unhappy person is Henry Bemis, played by Burgess Meredith in the "Twilight Zone" episode called "All The Time in the World". It's about a man who would be happy just to read books, but is stopped by obstacles in his life. I love to read books, but have little free time. I can relate to him.
 

My belief is that many people are unhappy because they are living their lives the way others want instead of how they want. Perhaps they are trying to meet societal expectations or trying to fulfill a role that they never completely agreed with from the beginning.

A famous example of this was the marriage between Prince Charles and Diana Spencer. Rather than marry the woman he loved, Prince Charles "settled" for a woman to whom his parents and society preferred. And that marriage ended in disaster! Choosing to live a life solely for others can be a huge mistake.

I have repeatedly heard people say there is no such thing as being able to have fun at work; otherwise it wouldn't be work. What a horrible attitude! No wonder so many people hate their jobs.

There are probably bosses and supervisors who are trying to meet this misguided expectation by making sure that the employees are miserable. They believe that if people have fun, then they won't be productive. I would think a happy employee would have lower absenteeism, more loyalty and productivity. There really is no reason why work can’t be a pleasant place.

Fortunately, I’ve worked in places where I was happy because the boss did not believe work couldn’t be enjoyable. I laughed throughout the day along with my coworkers and boss and would be sad to go home in the evening because it meant the fun would stop. And everyone was very productive.

A person can carefully make all the right choices and still end up in a bad situation. Illness, a loss or some other hardship can enter a life. Too often, obstacles get in between happiness and a person.

Then, people try to escape from their unhappiness through alcohol, food, shopping or drugs which only makes the problem worst.

I notice that miserable people want others to be miserable, too. Have you ever witnessed this behavior in a boss or supervisor? I've seen supervisors purposely pick on employees to the detriment of the work place's productivity.

And people like to complain to each other about everything. If a person has no complaints to talk about, there is a possibility that this individual could be considered anti-social. Or strange.






Next: How to Be Happy
 

What Is Happiness? My meanderings in 3 parts - Part 1

The answer is found by defining what causes misery. When there is a gap between what a person wants to do from what that person is actually doing, then there is going to be unhappiness. The larger the gap, then the more misery exists.

Happiness is really knowing what is desired in life, and then living it. Not easy when compromises are repeatedly made. Working in a job that's hated, a partner who becomes Mr. or Mrs. Hyde, poor health, financial problems and a zillion other obstacles.

Then, there is that thing that happens if a goal is finally met and the gap is closed. Circumstances change. For the worst. And a person is moved unwillingly back to the start. A recreated gap. And unhappiness is back.

to be continued