Self Help or Cultural Happiness

01.13.14

This morning I find myself, lost within my own mind as I find myself living within a "feel-good society" with its "feel good religions." Somedays it seems happiness is valued above all else. 

Within the last year I honestly been told, "if you don't feel it fake it."  This advice was giving to myself and a larger group of people talking about our emotional state of being around the topic of, "happiness."  

Stroll though an bookstore in person or online and you discover entire sections devoted to "finding happiness," sustaining happiness, or keep joy alive in your life!  Magazines, from Men's health to women's fashion, have article after article about three steps on how to be happy! 

"Start being happy today!" 

"Be happy now."

"Discover true happiness."

"Find endless joy from the ultimate sex."

"Be happy at work."

"Happy at home."

"Be happy with your body."

The list is truly overwhelming and we are in need of that company's are attempting to define and sell happiness!

Can they?!? 

They are!

On top of that this term or emotional state has become embedded within some of our daily terminology, "Happy Holidays," "Happy New Years," "Happiness and future," "God Bless with abundant joy," "Don't worry be Happy."

We just maybe are a culture that is obsessed with the "pursuit of happiness!" (That's a blockbuster movie title)

Our society continues to bang the drum of happiness saying, "you must be happy with our self." 

"Everyone should find joy and happiness within their work."

.... .... On and.... On.... and on the list goes!

But is this living within reality or is this be stupidly optimistic as we take in a global perspective?!!!?

If I'm not happy is there something wrong with me? 

No, there is nothing wrong with you if your not happy 24-7!  The opposite maybe true... If your happy 24-7 you maybe be insane or taking happy juice, but one thing for certain your not living in reality.  To be completely honest, it's has to be more healthy to live within reality vs attempting to use exponential amounts of energy pretending to be happy.

On the other note don't take what I am said and validate being a depressed grump!

Bottom line: happiness alongside sadness are emotional states in which humans should and will experience just like seasonal storms.

These emotions should not be avoided as they add depth to each of our lives!  

The fight is for balance and not to swing to either extremist side.

I maybe a glass half fill kind of person, but I can enjoy life with a glass hall empty friend! How? Why? Because, happiness and relationship aren't based on us seeing eye to eye all the time! Relationships and a deeper happiness is found within the friendship you totally disagree with but continue doing life together, talking and being friends.

So here's to experiencing the day and all that it holds: ups, downs, highs, lows, questions, uncertainties, and striving to make sense of this thing we call life while discovering balance.

So here's to the journey and freedom not to be bound by false culture pressure or expectations. To seek out and discover how and what happiness means to you!

Pure laughter, where does it go?

01.10.14 as I pulled the truck next to the curb, my ears were filled with the sound of laughter!

Such joyous, free, unrestricted laughter is commonly found within the lives of children; however, as people grow older sometimes this precious gift of joy slips away much like sand running through ones fingers. 

Where does the pure laughter go? 

Is it drowned out by the stresses and pressures of age?  Does the chocking grasp of money and drive for success kill it off?  Is pure laughter something only found within children?

The questions we could ask go on and on - as every person has journeyed a different path, is wired uniquely, and has different trigger points of stresses / joy.

As the laughter outside this enclosed truck continued to roll through my ears and tickle my mind - I begun to wonder if laughter is found simply within a choice?

To let myself be a kid again!

To join in on the pure untampered moments.

To look like a complete fool, living within the moment as I child does so well.

Here's to two brothers sitting in a lawn chair - laughing - enjoying - and being completely free within the moment.

Thank you, for showing one old man the path back to simplicity and freedom!  I'd rather be a silly old man than a grumpy one - any given day!