Happiness is... being able to write this web page, that's what! :-)   

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Happiness

Oh yes, baby, I'm so smiley to be writing about happiness, I really am! In fact, of the fifty or so websites that I have built over the years for myself (or clients) - I used to be a web designer, see - I can safely say that creating the Self Help Collective is my most satisfying work experience (so far ;-)).

I just love writing about this self-help stuff, even if I don't have all the answers. And when the site is finished, it'll be fun and stimulating (and NOT a chore) to maintain.

Does that sound like a man contented with his working lot, a happy man? I think so...

Doing what you enjoy in life definitely helps you to be happy. That's what I say, anyway.

Okay, enough about me (for now) - please let me know what you think!

Love is... sharing a smile with someone (like you) :-)

Happiness

Happiness - what they say...

"Happiness is emotion in which one experiences feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense joy." Hmm, thank you WikiPedia

"Finding true happiness and self-actualization starts with our tips to help you find happiness from within. We will help you on your quest for personal growth" That's what The Happy Guy has to say, so I guess he must know something about the meaning of happiness.

Happiness is everywhere you choose to find it. Well, at least that's what I think Gretchen (of the Happiness Project) is trying to say in her inspirational video called The Bus Ride Movie.

And the Dalai Llama says this...

"The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one
wants suffering. And happiness mainly comes from our own
attitude, rather than from external factors. If your own
mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile
atmosphere, you feel happy."

Okay, okay they say a lot about this precious subject, but I'm not sure any of it helps really. Are you any the wiser (or happier)?

So did you know that there's a World Database of Happiness? Well, you do now! Apparently, "The World Database of Happiness is an ongoing register of scientific research on the subjective enjoyment of life. It brings together findings that are scattered throughout many studies and provides a basis for synthetic work." Hmm, sounds complicated. Plus, I'm more interested in my own survey, aren't you?

And, as for authentic happiness - not that fake, fluffy happiness but the real thing - yes, there's even a (scientific) website all about that, too - http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/

Hmm, that's enough about what they say about 'it' - how about you tell me about feeling :-) instead. Contact us here!

Happiness - what I say...

I can't give you a definition of happiness, but I can sum up what it is to me, right now, if that will help. Happines is...

• Listening to classical music, or a Drum n Bass toon, or a a track by Lemon Jelly (called Go)
• Eating a raspberry jam sandwich, thick with butter
• Sharing a smile with a stranger
• Stroking a dog or cat
• Kissing the woman I love
• Discovering a fantastic new book to read, film to watch, or song to listen to
• Looking out of a train at the passing English landscape
• Doing the things you'd do if you won the lottery, even if you haven't
  
  
• Despite all of the above, a most elusive beast indeed sometimes

Clearly happiness is... quite the silliest thing, and very difficult to describe. (What does your 'happiness is...' list look like? Do let me know!)

Happiness can not really be described that's why, or calculated (like they try to do in those happiness surveys) - it can only be felt, and experienced. Happiness quotes help give us a clue, quotations like these:

"Remember happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think."
-- Dale Carnegie

"It is a sad thing to look at happiness only through another's eyes."
-- Marquerite Blessington

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
-- Gandhi

and, this one, by Woody Allen:

"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose."

But finding happiness is much more than understanding a quotation or two. And I do not believe the answer lies in the pursuit of happiness (though I did like Will Smith's film The Pursuit of Happyness - it made me laugh and cry!).

And I probably know as much about the art of happiness as you do...

And, finally, happiness is... sharing my taste of music with visitors to the Self Help Collective. A happy tune by Lemon Jelly no less called 'Nice Weather for Ducks' :-)

PS I forgot to mention that we also discuss love and happiness on the website, too. I just didn't want to give you too much 'happy juice' in one go! Lol

PPS Oh and this web page would not doing its job properly if it did not end with a cute puppy dog video. (Actually, Ysabella Brave is sending everyone New Year's greetings with her cute cats, but still...)

What do YOU think?

Do tell us what you think about the issue of happiness. Oh, and please rate this page - thanks. :-)