tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338557.post3064387898440938190..comments2023-08-18T04:37:47.001-04:00Comments on Byzantium's Shores: chronicling the misadventures of an overalls-clad hippie: On choosing happinessKelly Sedingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704114189919711467noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338557.post-63547252970979558362017-07-06T17:58:12.408-04:002017-07-06T17:58:12.408-04:00I think it also comes from NOTICING, consciously n...I think it also comes from NOTICING, consciously noticing, the good things. Even the little ones - I did laundry this afternoon and taking it out of the dryer, I was reminded of how good freshly-cleaned clothes smell. And that I didn't have to go out and beat them on a rock in a stream to get them clean.<br /><br />I also bristle at the "happiness is a choice" folks, a bit, because sometimes life circumstances AREN'T happy, and you just kind of have to endure and hold on and trust that you will get moments of happiness again. Some of the most toxic "glurge" I've encountered are the people who talk about those who find "blessings" even in very hard times, with the implications that if you aren't happy given your smaller problems, you are somehow Doing It Wrong.<br /><br />Actually, I think the trying times throw the happy ones into clearer focus....fillyjonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13016436113169230368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338557.post-61403765800934579102017-07-06T12:45:42.169-04:002017-07-06T12:45:42.169-04:00I've found that the choice to be happy isn'...I've found that the choice to be happy isn't about the emotion of happiness, but about choosing to do the things that make me happy and not to do the things that don't. I think, like anything in life, there is the surface and the foundation. I've found that happiness is a surface (emotional) thing whereas joy is deeper and more lasting. Playing in the water fully clothed, for example, may give a fleeting feeling of happiness and fun that depends on that moment's circumstances and gives temporary relief from life's problems, but joy is knowing the power that water haves on you and makes you want to get in it in the first place even though it means being wet and cold afterward. Joy is the long lasting effect of doing the things that make us happy, temporarily. In my case, happiness can be brought about by spending an afternoon having a backyard cookout with my family, but joy is the glue that binds me to my family in good times and bad.Kaye Wallerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06491607694389685973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338557.post-24771990246821682622017-07-05T16:31:15.564-04:002017-07-05T16:31:15.564-04:00I find happiness fleeting.
Interestingly, the time...I find happiness fleeting.<br />Interestingly, the times I'm having an uproariously good time, it's sometimes dashed by laughing inappropriately (too loud or how is THAT funny)Roger Owen Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05298172138307632062noreply@blogger.com