For some reason or another alot of research has been in the news in the last week regarding happiness. I know that my psychologist friend will particularly appreciate the articles below. They made me think about the happiest people that I know in my life. One of them was my Grandma, Wanda Woolf. She was an eternally happy woman until the day she died. My siblings and cousins will agree that peace and happiness radiated from this woman. I have nothing but fond, fond memories of her. Somehow, I think it had something to do with her ability to stay away from the need of material possessions, service, and ability to love ANYONE. Grandma Woolf was notorious for making friends wherever she went. I remember one time she even brought home a friend that she had just met at Bashas, her grocery store of choice, to swap recipes and to meet her family. Grandma Woolf's funeral was like attending a high school graduation and, yes, the checkers and baggers from Bashas WERE there! Now that was one happy lady! Check out these articles. They are very interesting regarding the happy thing.http://www.livescience.com/health/060227_happiness_keys.html, and/or http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090516/sc_livescience/happinessisbeingoldmaleandrepublican
6 comments:
Well I haven't had a chance to look at those articles yet however, I have lots of feelings on the matter of "happiness". My feelings and thoughts are probably way off base but I think that first off being happy is a choice. Yes I know that things happen in our lives that make us sad and hurt us but I also think it's our choice to learn and grow from it and or be sad and miserable. You know what they say if you have lemons make lemonade. I am also especially fond of the idea that only 10% of life happens to us and 90% of life is about our attitude and how we handle the 10% of life that happens to us. My other little thought on why certain people are just so to speak "happy" people I think the happiest people I know are those that have the light of Christ in their lives. They aren't concerned with material things in life. They don't sweat the small things in life and most importantly they do all that they can do to love and serve others the way the Savior would. Like I said I'm probably way off from what the articles said but that's just my little thoughts on the whole "happiness" thing.
Thanks for sharing things on your blog that make me really think. You are a great friend and example of "happiness" in my book!
Actually, you are right on what the articles say, other than it also helps to be Republican and male! I agree that it truly is a choice. The times when I have been unhappy in my life are when I have chosen to look at my situation in a negative light. An interesting topic and conversation. Thanks for your thoughts J!
I agree. I've always said happiness is a choice. A choice I do not feel I make enough. It was interesting, the other day my cousin said of someone, 'they just don't radiate happiness' without even knowing them, just on her first impression. She was right about this person, it just really made me think that happiness is always an effort, and our happiness or lack of it effects those around us, & it's easy to sniff out someone unhappy. I don't know if I could bring home a Bashas pal :) but I do have to make a little more effort, for sure!
& I am writing this 5 minutes after I have yelled at all 4 of my awake kids this morning! A little more effort immediately please! :)
Very interesting articles. When Ethan was in the NICU, we had to make a conscious choice to find something to be grateful for every day. (Some days, it was just the fact that he was alive). Otherwise, the stress and worry could have eaten us up.
I love your the story about your grandma! Isn't it funny how when we lessen our focus on material things, we become MORE happy?!
love that. Makes me want to choose to be happier not only with my family but with strangers as well. Our society on a whole has become so disconnected on the personal level.
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