Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness to recognize the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.
The phrase, “Do what makes you happy”, often brings questions to me.
What makes people happy? Am I happy enough?
It seems like very simple things make me happy. On my drive to work one day, I was thinking of a list of the everyday things that bring me joy.
- A text from my best friend that I miss dearly.
- A long walk on a sunny spring day.
- Family dinners filled with giggling girls.
- Hearing an old song and adding it to my playlist.
- Sending funny Tic Toks and Instagram posts to my family group chat.
- Seeing my daughters, nieces and nephews achieve their goals, big and small.
- Watching birds and deer in my yard curiously look for food.
Social media is constantly reminding us of how happy we need to be and how we need to search out our happiness. Do I need to keep searching for more?
My friends and I recently took a quick vacation together. We were lucky enough to find a time that we could all go on a weekend getaway for sunshine and relaxation. One evening as we sat around the table, we played a game asking each other questions about our lives. One question came up that intrigued me. “What words do you want use to describe yourself at age 75?” Great answers were given. Active, healthy, fit, respected, financially sound, nonjudgmental, poised, accepting, classy, spirited, content.
I don’t want to wait until age 75 to be any of those things but I certainly don’t want to wait to be 75 to be content. The definition of content is “In a state of peaceful happiness or a state of satisfaction”. I want that now.
Rob Thomas says it best in his song “Little Wonders”.
“Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists and turn of fate
Time falls away, but these small hours
These small hours, still remain.”
(Are any of you singing along?)
This has been one of my favorite songs for years. It is a good reminder to slow down and remember to find joy in the smallest of moments. To me, this is where my true happiness comes from.
In the month of March and as we begin Spring, I encourage you to look for the small wonders, the little things that bring you joy and happiness. Come up with your list and find your content.
