Personal Sources of Happiness
I’ve been asked several times over the last few months what makes me such a happy and optimistic person. The first few times I heard it I was thrown for a loop. I never really considered myself to be an excessively happy person until it was continually brought to my attention. Whenever I think of excessive happiness Ned Flanders always comes to mind and I’m not trying to be Ned Flanders.
I brainstormed a list of things that could possibly contribute to my happiness. At one point the list was 20 items long. As I analyzed the list I realized that my constant euphoria is centered around 2 things.
My Body Transformation
A lot of things happened to me when I was losing weight. The physical changes are obvious. I went from 250 lbs to around 205. That’s easy to see.
What’s not so easy to see is the mental transformation that goes along with it. Along that road I had to develop the mental strength to plan and implement each day with precision. I had to develop amazing will power to succeed. I had to learn to focus on the long term benefits of what I was doing because the scale didn’t always display what I wanted. I had to be alright with being labeled a weird, health freak, who was obsessed with losing weight.
At the end of it all I came to the realization that I could do whatever I set my mind to. I don’t mean that in a rah-rah YOU CAN DO IT cheerleading sense. I mean it in a realistic learn and take action sense.
Indifference to Opinions
I’ve always had a rebellious streak. Not anything nasty. I’ve never robbed an old lady, extorted money, or put anyone through chinese water torture. I have managed to do things my own way.
I see it like this. The life I live is MINE. I own it. I have to be satisfied with myself each and every day. That mind set allows me to challenge some things that others happily except. Sometimes it makes people angry and ruffles a few feathers. Sometimes it sparks a good conversation. I’m fine either way. It’s my life so I’ll live it how I see fit.
Conclusion
I really don’t think happiness is that difficult of a thing to come by. Do what makes sense for you and the rest falls into place. It’s that simple.
Howdly doodly neighbor
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January 13, 2008 at 8:03 am
LMAO, I never thought of you as optimistic. Just realistic.
Now, if realistic is happy, then by all means thats just it. Oh well, enjoy it. I still think the majority of the people are sad but there is hope for them.
January 13, 2008 at 8:22 am
There’s hope for anybody who wants to be happy. Once you figure out what personally makes you happy then you just have to do something about it. You know that mikeyD