😀 TREE 688: Overthinking happiness
25 Jeffs ago, when I was an angsty teenager, my dad brought home a book called Being Happy. It hooked me because it was full of cartoons. I kept reading because it made me think this being happy thing sounds good. I’d like to do that. I’ve been a conscious fan of happiness ever since.
I’ve noticed that western culture often isn’t. We do a lot of sceptical thinking about happiness.
John Stuart Mill wrote, ‘Ask yourself whether you are happy, and you cease to be so.’
There are words upon words upon words about how joy or contentment are the things with depth. They last. But happiness is a fleeting feeling on the surface of your life.
We’re told that seeking happiness is a sure way to not find it.
If you’ve been around the dour end of the Christian spectrum, you’ve probably heard that joy comes from God but happiness is worldly. (‘Worldly’ is Christianese for ‘bad’.)
I’m sure there are useful things to learn in all the literature of happiness suspicion.
But also,
Whatever, dude.
Happiness is nice!
When you have a wonderful day that fills your head and heart with delight and you smile and laugh a lot.
When you are going through hell and in the middle of it you see dog do something stupid on the internet and it cracks you up and gives you a few minutes of relief.
When you’re tired and stressed and you have a bath with a candle and glass of wine and you have 30 minutes of bliss.
Coffee with a friend.
Finishing a project well.
Seeing a fox as you walk through Bristol at night.
Banter with coworkers.
A good hug.
A great meal.
None of this stuff is bad.
It’s all good.
It’s okay to be happy.
It’s more than okay –
it’s brilliant to be happy.
In case you need it, this is your official permission to enjoy happiness.
Grow slowly
Jeff
P.S. If you’ve commented in the last couple weeks, thank you! I’m sorry I haven’t replied yet. Life’s been that way.
P.P.S. My book will almost certainly make you feel happiness five or more times. Grab a copy for yourself and a few others for the people you like.
“25 Jeffs ago...” that made me happy
I think less than I ever have, on purpose. I have a healthy brain that is full of very well trodden paths. I manage my skills and refine and improve by not thinking. Yesterday I had a bunch of apples 🍏 and tried to find a recipe on Pinterest for what I envisioned. Zero inspiration. I decided to stop thinking about it purposely. Today I woke with a word in mind, kugel. It’s not a word I use. But my brain was working on the problem while I chose not to think. I looked up kugel and it is the apple cake I was wanting. That made me happy 😊 And it is delicious 😋