Tuesday 17 September 2013

Are you happy?

Well, the philosopher would, I expect, ask you to define happiness.   But on the scale of one to ten which side do you fall on?
I ask this because there has been yet another survey done about Happiness and what makes us happy.   The results make familiar reading and bear no relation to my own list.
Folk say they need things like a dream home, plenty of money, a pet,  and other similar things.   Has this really got anything to do with happiness I ask?
Well, it certainly hasn't in my case and I wouldn't have thought I was the exception that proved the rule.   Maybe they just asked the wrong people or the wrong questions.
I sat and thought about what makes me happy, because make no mistake I am truly happy as I am thank you.   What makes it so?   A loving husband, a loving family, reasonable health, reasonable mobility, a gentle lifestyle, lots of lovely friends.
None of these are material things - but all are, in my book, the most important things in my life.
I asked the farmer last night what makes him happy and his list was more or less identical to mine.   I tried to come up with some material thing which would make me happier.   I suggested a bright pink two-seater low slung sports car might go part of the way - to which the farmer replied that I might be able to get into it but he was jolly sure I would never be able to get out of it.
Ah well, that's another bubble burst.

As I sit here the first load of straw for winter bedding has arrived and is being unloaded into the barn by the farmer and his friend and neighbour.   Needless to say, as every year, it has arrived on a windy day so that the drive and the lawns are covered in loose straw.  I hope it stays windy for a couple of days more so that it all blows away.


 

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, I am happy and my definition is the same as yours. I am happy when I'm planning a new weaving project, spinning the yarn, thinking of what yarns want to be together, watching the design develop on the loom, and seeing the finished project hanging on the wall or draped around a loved one's shoulder. I am happy eating a ripe tomato that I have grown in my garden, or watching a hummingbird hover over my flowers. Happiness!
From Sandy @ My Yellow Swing

Barbara said...

I loved your definition of happiness...particularly "a gentle lifestyle". What a wonderful description! Life in the country keeps me happy.
Sorry the Farmer burst your bubble. I enjoyed the mental picture of your "dream car", but I must admit I giggled at his little comment. It sounded very much like something my husband would say to me.
Have a lovely day.

Rachel Phillips said...

Being happy is being content with yourself. I am and I am happy.

Willow said...

I enjoy the simple pleasures for sure.

A Heron's View said...

Yes I am happy and have been so for many years. Though to absolutely frank: there was a time in my life when due to prevailing circumstances beyond my control
I was not at all happy.

A Heron's View said...

Yes I am happy and have been so for many years. Though to absolutely frank: there was a time in my life when due to prevailing circumstances beyond my control
I was not at all happy.

John Going Gently said...

The older I get
The happier I become with my lot
That's the best way I can explain it pat

The Solitary Walker said...

Yes, happiness has very little to do with lots of money and possessions, though a bit of cash and a few possessions do help. I think happiness comes unexpectedly, when you're not looking for it; you often look back and realise, yes, I was happy at that time, but I didn't fully know or appreciate it at the time.

Em Parkinson said...

walking here on a sunny day with the skylarks singing to add to your list!

Heather said...

I had to chuckle at the farmer's remark about your pink sports car! My lovely family, garden, friends and creative pastimes provide my happiness. Probably my happiest years were when we were very hard up and had few mod cons and the children were very young.
Money and possessions do not bring true happiness.

Elizabeth said...

I cannot think of a single THING that would contribute to my happiness.
My family are super and we all seem to get on pretty well -my grown children play "Words with Friends" with me everyday.
The grandchildren are a delight -and tiring.

I love reading and being creative whenever possible.
Freud suggested that the ability of love and to work are vitally important.

But we are very lucky -if we didn't have a house to live in or a mattress to sleep on then perhaps a THING might make us more cheery.

Gwil W said...

I am not happy because of the current situation in Japan where Fukushima Daiichi (built on reclaimed land) is "basically sitting on mud" (Gundersen) following the recent typhoon and Tepco are busily pumping the contaminated water into the sea; and also because there's an unfolding emergency at another MOX reactor due to mudslides from the same typhoon, and while all this is going on hardly a word from the international media presumably celebrating the award of the 2020 Olympics to said nation, whose representatives were (maybe still are) in Saudi and other such places selling, believe it or not, nuclear plantechnology.

Gwil W said...

No I'm not happy. How can I be happy when I am witnessing (albeit from a distance of 9,000 kms) such irresponsible behaviour. On the other hand I am most happy that I can air my thoughts here. Thank you Pat.

angryparsnip said...

Everyday I wake up I am happy. My bedroom looks out on a mountain and I see birds flying by every morning. Plus all kinds of wildlife walk by my home. Just today a Roadrunner was standing on my studio window ledge looking in on me.
For many years I was in a abusive marriage. After my x walked out and after the divorce I had to move. I miss where I use to live by the ocean and all my friends but I now live back in the desert that I grew up in.
Everyday that I wake up and not have to deal with my x makes me happy.
I have wonderful children and two crazy dogs so even with some unexpected health problems that just popped up I am happy.

I hope you get that bright pink sports car !

cheers, parsnip

George said...

I agree with you 100%, Pat. Happiness has little to do with material things. In my view, it's something that comes unexpectedly, and more often than not, it's driven by a strong sense of gratitude. Attitude is also important. I believe it was Eleanor Roosevelt who once said, "nobody can make me unhappy without my consent."

Pondside said...

We share a definition of happiness, Weaver. I would add, though 'something to read'.

Arija said...

Happiness depends so much on where and how we live,
in a dry climate , it is rain. In a cold climate, sunshine. In youth, that shiny sports car, in age, anything that will reliably take you there and back again.
For me, it is someone to love, family, friends, a pet or the garden and of course, having something other than the dishes to do, be it reading, writing, painting or searching for that elusive word in a crossword puzzle.
Above all, it is the gentle life style, be it a wee dram in front of the fire or watching rainbows in dew drops at sunrise . . .

thelma said...

Happiness is the people in your life that you love but there is also an individual selfish happiness and for me that is the marvellous natural world that dances around us; the collared doves, bumble bees feeding on the lavender, the colours of both weaving into the mind to create dyes for the wool I spin. I think happiness is looking outward to the vibrancy around us and allowing the mind freedom to think....

MorningAJ said...

Comfortable and warm home. Enough money to keep it that way with enough left over to eat, and for the occasional treat. Cats. Not quite the same as the 'standard' list. But other things come higher up than them. K, for example! Being healthy.

Anonymous said...

I am happy if my loved ones are happy. When they have challenges that bring them to tears or their health is alarmingly bad, happiness disappears for me, and concern takes its place.
When family are well,friends call,there is enough money to pay the bills, there are beautiful flowers and bees in the garden,and I have the odd day off work now and then, the warm sun on my face, and the dear cat around me with its constant affection, then I feel happy.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Not very acquisitive are we folkd? Glad to hear that you all feel the same way. Would rather like that pink car though - that is my pipe dream.

Reader Wil said...

Just as you already said:"happiness is A loving husband, a loving family, reasonable health, reasonable mobility, a gentle lifestyle, lots of lovely friends." I miss my husband, but the rest is fine.

Gerry Snape said...

Happiness is such an over-rated emotion that the media and politicions use to encourage us to always be looking for some new thing or experience ...more they cry...when very often happiness is right under our noses!...oh dear there I am getting political and I promised myself I never would !!! ..great post Pat