Finding the Happy

Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length. ~Robert Frost

I was talking to my mom yesterday and we both agreed that we tend to focus more on the bad stuff than the good stuff -- which leads to a pretty stressful life. The bad stuff is easier to see, I think. It's loud and active and it jumps up and down in front of the good stuff, waving its hands and shouting, "Look at me! Look at me!". It's tough to move it aside and see what sits quietly behind it, smiling and peaceful.

Many years ago, I was part of a women's group. We got together once every other week, shared our lives, supported each other and talked about how to have a happier and more stress-free life. I miss that group...

In any case, one of the things we did was use the book, "Woman's Comfort Book" and work our way through. Some of the stuff in there was a little ... odd or "woo woo", but one of the things that we had to do that really stuck with me was creating a "comfort journal" of things that made us feel good, made us smile, made us happy. And it wasn't only a few things. We had to list at least 100 things, so we'd have something to refer to in the times we were down to remind us what really mattered.

I remember starting it, thinking, "This will be a breeze!"

Uh. Not.

The first ten or twenty were ... then I had to really stretch for the next twenty or so. By the time I hit around fifty, I was empty. I'd spend my days thinking and watching and contemplating, trying desperately to find more things that at the very least made the sides of my mouth quirk in a smile, however briefly.

I never did make it up to 100. But I got darn close. And, looking back on that list today, many of those things don't apply (For instance, I was dating someone who is not my husband, so ... having him make me happy is probably one to line through), and I decided that I need to make an updated list. And, I imagine I'll breeze through the first twenty or so, struggle with another twenty and then will have to really, really look for the rest. But it'll be worth it to have something to focus on besides the negative.

Because there's no pain in looking for the happy things in life, right?

What about you? Could you make a list of 100 things that make you happy? Don't you think you should?

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You Are Conscientiousness

You are extremely detail oriented and organized. You do a thorough job. You stick with whatever needs to be done, no matter how long it takes. You are highly motivated and energetic. You are a valuable employee and a trusted friend. You are a planner, and you follow through with your promises. You take your commitments seriously.

Which of the Big Five Personality Traits Are You?

Yeah... that's about right.

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