Welcome to Thoughtful Thursday!
This week I would like to discuss the notion of happiness. It's summer, isn't it? We should be happy but...
what does it mean to be happy to you? Plenty of chocolate? A lot of great books? A peaceful moment enjoyed in the sun? Somebody to love? Sex drugs and rock and roll?
Such a simple question, so many possible answers...and so many great quotes! Choose your favourite and tell me about your notion of happiness!
Such a simple question, so many possible answers...and so many great quotes! Choose your favourite and tell me about your notion of happiness!
Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it. ~Jacques Prévert
Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy. ~Robert Anthony
The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. ~Mark Twain
If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time. ~Edith Wharton
Happiness is excitement that has found a settling down place. But there is always a little corner that keeps flapping around. ~E.L. Konigsburg
Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy. ~Cynthia Nelms
Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad. ~Norm Papernick
What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner. ~Colette
"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. ~A.A. Milne
Indeed, man wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible. ~St. Augustine
Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne
There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness. ~Lady Blessington
A great obstacle to happiness is to expect too much happiness. ~Bernard de Fontenelle
The only way to avoid being miserable is not to have enough leisure to wonder whether you are happy or not. ~George Bernard Shaw
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. ~Mahatma Gandhi
When you're really happy, the birds chirp and the sun shines even on cold dark winter nights - and flowers will bloom on a barren land. ~Grey Livingston
When you're really happy, the birds chirp and the sun shines even on cold dark winter nights - and flowers will bloom on a barren land. ~Grey Livingston
Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
ReplyDeleteI like that one because it is just so true. At least happiness came for me when I just, I just was
"Happiness is a warm puppy." charles Schultz. But it is difficult to be sad with a balloon in your hand.
ReplyDeleteAs people spin faster and faster in the pursuit of merely personal happiness, they become exhausted in the futile effort of chasing themselves. ~Andrew Delbanco
ReplyDeleteI like this because it speaks to the fact that happiness is within ourselves.
You are only truly happy when you are intensely focussed on something, doesn't matter what it is, whether it's work, or a hobby, or sex, or meditation, or a book - anything that captures your whole attention.
ReplyDeleteAnd this was on the BBC today
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13791271
Now, up to a point, keeping busy is better for your happiness levels than being on permanent holiday - but there are different types of stress, and as was pointed out in the article, the key point is being in control. If bosses are dumping a load of crap on you, giving you impossible deadlines, and you have no control, you will be bloody stressed to the point of breakdown before too long. But if you're the boss, and you're the one in control, then 'stress' is actually minimal, and you're going to be much happier.
Oh lovely quotes and comments, thank you all! I agree that when we are busy we tend to forget about our problems and when we are immersed in an activity which brings us satisfaction then we are truly happy. Being in control is very important indeed. You can be happy digging a trench but only if you decided that you need to do it and you see strong reasons why you have to do it.
ReplyDeleteWe don't make mistakes, only happy little accidents ~ Bob Ross
ReplyDeleteHad to throw a painting quote from one of the happiest painters out there. :)
I love it Melissa, thanks!
ReplyDelete