So, What Makes You Happy?
In our world of tumult and irrationality, national insults and international snubs, we are often so captivated by The Latest Mayhem (which masquerades as The News), that it becomes too easy to forget to stop and think: what makes me happy.
And What Difference Does It Make?
And, you might ask, even if I could name what makes me happy, what difference would it make?
Why It Is Important
When I look and understand what makes me happy, it tells me that the world is not all bad news. It makes me aware of what is good in my life.
And What Else
Because I see things that I appreciate, it shows me things I can be grateful for. And gratitude is powerful.
Why Is Gratitude Powerful?
Numerous studies have shown that gratitude has a multitude of positive effects. These positive effects extended into our relationships with other as well as with ourselves.
Illustration from The Trouvelot Astronomical Drawings. Étienne Léopold Trouvelot was a French artist, astronomer and amateur entomologist.
1882
Since many articles are available on line on the results of gratitude, any summary I could give here would only be a simplified synopsis of what is available. Just a few of the more interesting references are:
-Forbes: “7 Scientifically Proven Benefits Of Gratitude That Will Motivate You To Give Thanks Year-Round”
-Fast Company: “The Science Of Gratitude And Why It’s Important In Your Workplace”
A comprehensive overview of numerous studies on the effects of gratitude is in the following: “The 31 Benefits of Gratitude You Didn’t Know About: How Gratitude Can Change Your Life”
Of course, these are a small sampling. A simple Google search will bring up a multitude of articles on the subject.
Mr. Smith Goes To Gratitude
Adam Smith, famous for his An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776), also wrote several other books, significantly The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759, and subsequently revised). It was in this latter book that he wrote extensively about many human emotions and attitudes. Notably, he references gratitude over 120 times in that book.
Odd Asides
Wikipedia has a page on The Theory of Moral Sentiments but does not mention gratitude in its summary. The Adam Smith Institute, does not mention gratitude in its summary of this book.
So Where Does That Leave Us?
By acknowledging what makes me happy, I can then start to see what I am and can be grateful for. This is the opening for allowing its benefits into my life.
Photo taken by Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), a NASA robotic spacecraft currently orbiting the Moon.
So What Are You Happy About?
There are things that come to mind immediately. My life, my health, my family; emotional and financial stability, the friends and relationships in my life. The ability to eat fruit from my garden. And it goes on.
And Yet…
And yet there are also small things which make a difference to me. To me, a bowl of oatmeal and a blue shirt. What!?!?
Yes
As mentioned in The Best Oatmeal. Ever., I love oatmeal and by choice cook and eat it every morning of the year when I am home. And for some unknowable reason, I prefer blue as the color of my shirts. 98% of the shirts in my closet are blue. In fact, I am wearing one right now. These are some of the little things that make me happy. And I am grateful for them as well.
What makes you happy? What are you grateful for? See the Contact page to send your response.
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