Friday, August 14, 2009

What is Happy

Hello my friends, today one could feel the Fall in the air. In fact it was cool here today, even though the sun was shinning most of the day. I did little today, a few chores this morning, a nap this afternoon and a movie tonight. A quiet day but one I really enjoyed.

I went to rent a movie, I wanted to get Mrs. Palefry at the Farmont (Di, I wanted to hear what I talked like) but they didn't have it, I'm not sure the young girl working there had even heard of it or knew how to look it up on the computer. I didn't see anything that caught my interest so I came back home and took A Walk to Remember from my own collection and watched that. I love that movie and could watch it over again many times. I'm sure you all have seen it but if you haven't it's a real tear jerker with a beautiful theme. It suited my mood tonight.

During the past several days I have had the opportunity to do something I love doing, people watch. I love seeing how people interact with each other, or handle certain situations and while at the hospital I saw what made people smile or cry. I have been thinking a lot about this all week. What makes people happy? What is Happy? I know what makes me happy, a baby laughing, a smile from a stranger, watching someone being helped or cared for......in fact almost everything good, gentle and kind makes me happy. Others aren't so easy to please, no matter what is done for them or given to them it is never enough. Sad really as it would take so little to make someones life just a little bit better, and even less for someone to show appreciation.

I don't think Happy can be described, it's like the wind, we can feel it but can't see it. We are all unique, special in our own way and what makes me happy may make someone else miserable and vice versa. If only we could learn to respect each other, as I think we have more in common, are more alike than different. For all my thinking I still don't know what happy is, I only know I am, perhaps that is enough.
I think peace, contentment and acceptance puts one on the road to happiness....so I wish everyone peace, contentment and acceptance, as they journey on the road to their happiness.

Good Night my friends and God Bless.........:-) Hugs

20 comments:

Wanda..... said...

Good morning Bernie...
I couldn't agree with you more. I
think you have to be content with your life first...in order to experience the happiness the small things in life can give you.

People are always searching for material things to make them happy...and that never works...not for long anyway. What they need to find is contentment.

Contentment comes from within with the acceptance of one's present life and with that the ability to feel true happiness for others as well as yourself when a "happy happening" occurs.

A person very discontent with their life can feel happy on occasion, but yet they still lead a joyless empty unfullfilling life.

A contented person who has peace, contentment, and a joy for living in their life to start...Well, those happy moments just make it all the better.

G/daughter Katie was very happy yesterday with her new car....I was happy that she was happy! :)

Hope you have many happy moments today Bernie! I know you are very content already!

Wanda

Eileen said...

Oh, Bernie, you are a wise one!
And I so agree that peace and contentment must come first.
It's during those moments that I can be happy and appreciate all the little things in life. But when there is some kind of turmoil going on in life, I don't even notice the things that usually make me happy, I brush them off as if they don't exist.
And even things that make me happy in times of ease can almost become a chore in times of upheaval.
I love having people over, I love getting ready for a party, but in times of stress, that just becomes a chore for me and it doesn't give me the pleasure it normally does. It's the same with Jayden, I normally get such a kick out of his antics, but if I'm trying to hurry out the door and we're running late, and he's doing something other than hurrying out the door with me, I get so impatient with him, where normally I'd drop everything and laugh at him and join in with him or give him a hug.
Wow, Bernie, you are profound!
Love, Eileen

The Retired One said...

What beautiful thoughts! I agree..sometimes people that "have everything" aren't very happy. So, it isn't related to material things. Good health, good friends have a lot to do with happiness. The love of others has a lot to do with it to.
But you have to be happy with yourself first.
I know sunny, warm days make me happy. Sometimes a slow, beautiful snowfall does too.
Blogging makes me happy too and reading yours makes me happy.
Have a great weekend, Bernie. Now THAT would make me happy too...

Gail said...

Hi Bernie-
Beautiful words - beautiful you......

It takes so little for me to be happy - for us to be happy. Often times when we are sitting on the couch watching a re-run of "Two And A Half Men" we will look over at each other and say, "this is all I need to be happy". :-) Or a simple meal of bread and salad and wine and we sit close and "criss-cross" our place mats....:-) I am happy watching the birds and other wild life, I am so happy in our bed - it is SO comfy. I am very happy when I am with my Mom, I am thrilled when snow starts falling and when leaves change colors and the wind blows my hair around my face. I smile so hard my face hurts when our Christma tree is decorated...oh my oh my, I could go on and on.
Bernie? You have reminded me of so much I am thankful for and happy about - You make me happy.

Love to you
Gail
peace

Anvilcloud said...

I agree with peace, contentment and acceptance. Have a happy weekend.

Brenda said...

You are a joyful, happy person. I agree with your post. Peace, contentment, acceptance, lack of guilt, doing good, a beautiful day, a kind word, children--are all things that I would list. I also believe that inner joy can only come from having a relationship with Jesus Christ. I am extremely blessed!

Diana said...

Goodmorning Bernie,
I'm sorry that you couldn't find the movie. They showed it on one of our movie channels.
I am happy most of the time. Funny I'm not very happy with our situation right now but I am generally a happy person. For me I feel that happiness is a choice. I can choose to walk around feeling miserable but I prefer to feel happy and thats what I try to do! And like you, it's little things that make me happy. My husband used to always call me a cheap date because it didn't take much to make me happy! Love Di

Cindy said...

Hi Bernie, what a lovely post. Your right to be happy you have to be content with life, I often think we come into this world with nothing and we will leave the same, so we better have a good time while we are here.Other people are what makes me happy, I surround myself with the same and I get rid of anyone that I feel is toxic for me. That may sound harsh, I have to be positive, I don't want any negatives to pull me down. I had one friend whom was negative, negative about everything and i found I would be just miserable after seeing her, so I slowly pulled away. I have enough of my own troubles, to take on someone who searches for trouble..I am understanding and sympathetic, but not to someone that no matter what it is not right. I choose to be happy, like yourself. Take care my friend, have a great weekend.

Bernie said...

Good Morning Wanda, I had no doubt in my mind that you would understand "happy". Material things can make one very happy but it is fleeting, I know I have been there. It was only when I accepted my life, my abilities to accept what I could do and do it as well as I could and the willingness to realize my limitations and accept them when it dawned on me one time how good and happy I felt and truly was. Recognizing my blessings and being so thankful for them has just added to a very contented life. I love my family, friends, security, faith, many things which has brought me to this wonderful blessed time in my life. I know that you are in that place as well. Have a wonderful weekend my friend.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Eileen, haven't been able to access your site due to blogger problems but will keep trying.
You are much younger than I am Eileen and I am sure I was the same way when I was in a hurry or stressed at one time. Now I am able to just enjoy everything around me and see the good in each day, the good is always there, we just need to look a bit harder for it on certain days. Your heart is so open and full of life, only good things will come your way and you will recognize them with your love of family and friends. Have a great weekend sweetie....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Joan, I can tell you are exactly where you are suppose to be, enjoying your family, friends, photographing, humor in your police reports and of course nature. When these things bring you so much happiness, there isn't anything that you won't be able to work through. So happy you are in my life.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Gail, you have had many trying times to contend with and you have handled your MS with such grace and dignity.....now that is being happy. You keep learning, growing and understanding, as we all do. I think you have a terrific attitude.
Have a wonderful weekend....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Anvilcloud, thank you and you have a wonderful weekend as well.
Take care.....:-) Bernie

Bernie said...

Brenda, everything you have said I agree with, life is short, time with those we love is precious and knowing and accepting these as fact makes for a happy and understanding life. I am so blessed in so many ways, including your friendship......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hello Di, I will see the movie eventually I am sure. I think happiness is a choice but a choice that can be made easier when one is accepting of any situation. I know times are tough right now and everyone is feeling the pinch but when one focuses on family, friends and the good times it makes for a happier life. We all have known sadness but it is our attitude that sees us through even the saddest of times.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

cinnear, so true as attitude is everything, I, too have met people who have sucked the air right out of the room, leaving everyone feeling completely drained....I have slowly exited from these people's lives as well....we all have problems, it's how we react to them that makes the difference. Have a wonderful weekend cnnear, and enjoy your exercise plan...Hugs

Tranquility Speaks said...

Well said Bernie! Most people have the notion that when they achieve something, they'd be happy. A better job, a promotion, marriage, kids, more money, a vacation. But all of these are like those elusive pots of gold. Even if you reach them, they don't give everlasting happiness. Like I read somewhere "If we can't be happy in the here and now, we won't be happy in the there and then as well"

You summed it beautifully! Peace and contentment must give happiness. It yields results when the search is within not without. I have still to fully realize it though

Barb said...

Lovely, thought-provoking post, Bernie. I think that people who expect happiness often receive it. I believe that delight in the non-material world often provides both contentment and happiness.

Bernie said...

Hi Barb, I'm not sure how one achieves hapiness, I know I felt very peaceful and content once I accepted everything that had happened in my life and focused on all that was good. Since that time I have been very happy. Material things are not the answer my friend, family, friends and health are everything.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Stillness, family, friends and health really have given me much peace and contentment, acceptance came at a later time but combine them together and I have known great happiness. I have many blessings and appreciate them each and every day......:-) Hugs