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The Misadventures of Mrs. B: H is for Happiness

Cook. Writer. Wife. Daughter. Sister. Friend. Klutz.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

H is for Happiness

I'm having a really hard time trying to think of an H post for Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday. I know I want to talk about happiness but...happiness is such an elusive subject. Every time I think I've pinned down my ideas, they scatter.





Of course I'm having a difficult time in general with focusing myself today. It's not helping.



I find that happiness is most often something we discover when looking back on things. "I was happy then" is something I'm sure we've all said to ourselves at one time or another.



Rarely do I stop in the middle of a moment and say to myself "I am happy right now".



I try to find those moments, I truly do. And from time to time I am fortunate enough to be able to say those very words.



But like so many good things in life, you can't hold onto happiness. It's not something you can put in a box or a cage. When you try to close your fist around it and hold it tight in order to observe or dissect it, you find yourself empty-handed.



So it's best to let it flow.



To create a welcome environment for it, so that it may come in and stay a while.



To surround yourself with things that bring you pleasure, whatever they may be. No matter how simple they are.



To engage in work you like to do, even if it's not the work that provides your daily bread. Writing isn't what I make money from, nor is cooking. But they are two things that bring me peace and contentment.



Loving provides that as well. I'm not getting paid to love. But love is where I find the most happiness.  And I'm lucky to have so much of it in my life.


I think that knowing and appreciating love creates happiness as well.  Gratitude reminds you of all you have to be happy about, and that just creates - you guessed it! - more happiness.  Because once you get the ball rolling you start seeing miracles in the most random places.  In the most ordinary things.  And if you have that sense of gratitude in you, it becomes second nature to rejoice in life.


What makes YOU happy?

**EDIT!** Just a moment ago, I was covering the front desk, which I HATE doing.  But the Good Lord sent a message my way.  A guy called, looking for our former human resources manager.  I explained that she was no longer with the company.  He told me that he had just found her wallet at the mall and when he got back to work he looked her up online.  As luck would have it she still has this company listed as her place of employment on LinkedIn.  He gave me his number and I contacted her to give her the message.  She was just about to start cancelling her credit cards and was totally shocked that someone went through the trouble of finding her.  See, there are good people in the world.  And I'm happy to have been reminded of that!


Jenny Matlock


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16 Comments:

Blogger laterg8r said...

my crazy girls make me happy (and scrapbooking too) :D

March 11, 2010 at 12:42 PM

 
Blogger mrs. c said...

Thanks for giving me a different outlook on happiness. Real happiness is being content with where and who you are. I am 56 years old, have worked as a teacher for 30 years and love it,have a great husband and family. I have what most people dream about and I appreciate it because it has taken alot of hard work. You are young and still finding your way. I completely understand where you are, I was there too!

March 11, 2010 at 12:59 PM

 
Blogger My name is Riet said...

There are many things that make me happy. I think the most important is that when my DH and children are happy, I am happy too

March 11, 2010 at 1:05 PM

 
Blogger Viki said...

I'm most happy in my life when everything is on an even keel which hasn't been too much lately. I like what you wrote though and will think about how to change my situation. Thanks.

March 11, 2010 at 1:48 PM

 
Blogger Claudine said...

Happiness is having the love of my husband, anticipating the birth of our baby, hearing my parent's voices on the phone and being satisfied with all the things I have.

March 11, 2010 at 1:51 PM

 
Blogger Amy said...

That is a wonderful way to have the letter H. I am happy for my family..

I am hosting a Round Robin tomorrow. I saw that yummy cake you have and would like for you to stop on by and link it up. If you would like..

March 11, 2010 at 2:16 PM

 
Blogger Kat said...

I love your take on the letter H. I was truly happy and content this past weekend, no great shakes just a lot of good family and friendship. And what makes me the happiest is seeing our DD turning into a truly amazing young woman! Kathy

March 11, 2010 at 4:29 PM

 
Blogger GardenOfDaisies said...

When my husband and children are happy then I am too. I also feel totally happy inside when I think I have done something to make a positive difference for someone else. Lots of little things make me happy: a nice hot cup of tea, my kitty cat purring or the first spring flowers that bloom. One of my favorite quotes is "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

March 11, 2010 at 6:40 PM

 
Blogger lissa said...

thoughtful posts and you're right - it's not easy to be happy but trying is the best possible way

thanks for your visit and I like that wallet story, it reminds me that there are good people out who might send us some joy even in their simplest form

March 11, 2010 at 8:18 PM

 
Blogger Red Couch Recipes said...

I believe happiness is a choice and it requires work I think at times. I choose happiness...even when it is difficult! Joni

March 11, 2010 at 11:02 PM

 
Blogger Short and Sweet said...

I so thoroughly enjoyed reading your "Happiness" post...thank you for your perspective. I agree with a lot of what you said.
Thanks again.

March 12, 2010 at 1:25 AM

 
Blogger Mami said...

Family is smiling at each other-just on thing-happiness. Might be happiness wherever we are,we surely could find..

March 12, 2010 at 2:48 AM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

I think the trick is to find happiness in the ordinary things and to aknowledge it....for me it is all tied up with being grateful too.....thanks for the great post and have a HAPPY day! melinda

March 12, 2010 at 10:59 AM

 
Blogger Steph said...

Thank you for sharing your reflections on happiness. It can be a hard thing to wrap words around. And yet wonderful. I like to be surprised by it (like you were at work) and also want to try to cultivate it. I love happy snoopy. Writing, being with my family, and a day at the beach all make me happy.

March 14, 2010 at 7:55 AM

 
Blogger Jo said...

Brilliant post ... wonderful reflections on "happy" ... i love your writing style.

March 14, 2010 at 2:29 PM

 
Blogger Jenny said...

Good early morning! I am so sorry it has taken me this long to get to your H post.

I have a saying that I live my life by:

Happiness is a consequence of personal action.

I work very diligently at finding happiness each and every day.

For me, I find happiness to be an internal thing...and try to create a mindset to not allow external issues, stressors and unhappinesses to change my God-given right to be Happy!

But that's just me!

And an A+ for you... for making me think that through!

March 15, 2010 at 5:24 AM

 

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