My sense is to remove success from the equation altogether. Replace it with service. And seek a sense of value and belonging locally in face to face interactions.
This! And that song! It's all such a delight! Why do we stress so much over success as all the goodness is already right here with us? And to answer mine and your question; that's what happiness to me is truly about. Recognize the gold of human connection, creativity, love and the magnificent beauty of nature and life in every moment. Even the darkest ones and I trust that it is possible and real. Thanks Brad!
Gather people who you love being around > do good work together that’s good for uplifting others > sprinkle in time for conversations, fresh air walks, and really good food = a very happy life
What a wonderful post. I was thinking on it. I think that happiness may be curiosity, and community. Although I also think there’s happiness in possibility. Hard to say but this will definitely keep me thinking.
I think what I’ve noticed is that the happiest or most joyful people are those who take life one step at a time. Being present and noticing where they are at and who they are right now and not worrying too much about where they’ll go or who they’ll be tomorrow or ten years from now. This seems to make life a little sweeter because you become more aware of the sweetness of all of life’s moments when today is all you’ve got.
Hey there, Brad. I am late to the party although please know I have been here in spirit. Makes me happy to be connected to you. Needed to tell you that just in case you forgot somehow. Much love Robin
Love all of this Brad. I've found that gratitude is key to my happiness. It's really easy for me to acclimate to my level of comfort and privilege and forget how blessed I am. Expressing gratitude out loud every day helps me remember how many beautiful gifts constantly surround me.
I absolutely ADORE the fish song! Thank you so much for sharing, I needed this so much 💜
Happiness for me, today, was discovering this new song, and singing it with my girls at the top of our lungs all the way home! And then sharing it with anyone else who will listen ;)
A fascinating question, and not one that’s easy to answer! What we mean by happiness, rather than joy, for example, can vary wildly between individuals. There’s happiness of the fleeting, fun in the moment, pleasure kind (hedonic) and there’s lasting, bone deep happiness (eudaimonic) and they’d have quite different definitions. For me, as others have said, I’d want to leave out the word success, it’s too tied up in productivity and finances.
What a great question! It has got me thinking that how we each define happiness would determine how much we experience it. If I think happiness can only be found in great fortune or acclaimed success then I am going to live a very restless/relentless life chasing that (and it likely will never be enough). Perhaps part of experiencing happiness is the permission to let ourselves (re)define what it is that actually makes us happy!
My sense is to remove success from the equation altogether. Replace it with service. And seek a sense of value and belonging locally in face to face interactions.
This! And that song! It's all such a delight! Why do we stress so much over success as all the goodness is already right here with us? And to answer mine and your question; that's what happiness to me is truly about. Recognize the gold of human connection, creativity, love and the magnificent beauty of nature and life in every moment. Even the darkest ones and I trust that it is possible and real. Thanks Brad!
Gather people who you love being around > do good work together that’s good for uplifting others > sprinkle in time for conversations, fresh air walks, and really good food = a very happy life
Oh my : ) Happiness and silliness are so under-rated! What a joy to hear the fish song!
What a wonderful post. I was thinking on it. I think that happiness may be curiosity, and community. Although I also think there’s happiness in possibility. Hard to say but this will definitely keep me thinking.
I think what I’ve noticed is that the happiest or most joyful people are those who take life one step at a time. Being present and noticing where they are at and who they are right now and not worrying too much about where they’ll go or who they’ll be tomorrow or ten years from now. This seems to make life a little sweeter because you become more aware of the sweetness of all of life’s moments when today is all you’ve got.
My formula for happiness (and contentment) is love, security, purpose, good health, financial needs met, and enjoyable activity.
Hey there, Brad. I am late to the party although please know I have been here in spirit. Makes me happy to be connected to you. Needed to tell you that just in case you forgot somehow. Much love Robin
Love all of this Brad. I've found that gratitude is key to my happiness. It's really easy for me to acclimate to my level of comfort and privilege and forget how blessed I am. Expressing gratitude out loud every day helps me remember how many beautiful gifts constantly surround me.
I just adore the way you talk, the way you write, you think... what you share out in the world makes me happy
I absolutely ADORE the fish song! Thank you so much for sharing, I needed this so much 💜
Happiness for me, today, was discovering this new song, and singing it with my girls at the top of our lungs all the way home! And then sharing it with anyone else who will listen ;)
A fascinating question, and not one that’s easy to answer! What we mean by happiness, rather than joy, for example, can vary wildly between individuals. There’s happiness of the fleeting, fun in the moment, pleasure kind (hedonic) and there’s lasting, bone deep happiness (eudaimonic) and they’d have quite different definitions. For me, as others have said, I’d want to leave out the word success, it’s too tied up in productivity and finances.
What a great question! It has got me thinking that how we each define happiness would determine how much we experience it. If I think happiness can only be found in great fortune or acclaimed success then I am going to live a very restless/relentless life chasing that (and it likely will never be enough). Perhaps part of experiencing happiness is the permission to let ourselves (re)define what it is that actually makes us happy!
Coffee + Love for humanity + making joyful creations and connections with everyone you meet. And gratitude for being here in this space and time.