A Boomer's Footprint

Tag: happiness

  • Fighting for our Independence

    waving flag

    “WE hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

    Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776

    This is our American promise – “the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” We have the right to live our lives as we wish, to pursue happiness as we think best, by our own lights – provided only that we respect the equal rights of others to do the same. Our founding fathers thus outlined the moral foundations of a free society.

    But the truth is, we are still fight for our freedoms every day, not just for ourselves, but others who continue to battle against prejudices and discrimination based on religion, race, gender, age, sexual preference, disabilities, marital status, physical appearance, or political beliefs.

    Even with these legislative acts –  Abolition of slavery – 1865, Civil Right Act  – 1968, Equal Rights Amendment – 1920, Americans with Disabilities Act – 1990 and the current struggle in the LGBT community, it is sad that many of us are still NOT viewed as “Being Created Equal”.

    But nationwide, conversations are happening. There is one network reality television showing a way.

    “What would you do?” – a hidden camera TV series shows how people respond to real-life ethical scenarios. Some topics have been – racism, teen bully and pressure, homophobia, obesity, parenting, elderly abuse.  Great show to watch with family and friends to share your thoughts when witnessing an ethical situation– what would you do?

    It is time to Step UP. Take a stand when you see an injustice. Be part of the solutions.

     

     

     

     

  • Joy and Happiness

    I believe there is a fine difference between experiencing joy and happiness.Happiness comes from outside, an external sources.
    It may engage thinking, using our brains.  An external force or event creates the emotion of happiness for us.

    To experience happiness you can do something fun, see a funny movie, read a good book, hear an hysterical joke, be creative, laugh, learn something on your interest list.

     

    Completing the "red menace" jigsaw puzzle.
    Completing the “red menace” jigsaw puzzle.

    Some happiness comes from material things – the feeling when receiving an incredible gift, buying a new car or house, completing a project, finding the love of your life.

    We know when we feel happy.  We smile, we laugh, we generally just feel good.  I often think that I experience happiness
    in my head.  Not only because it involves my mouth when laughing but also because my thoughts are happy.

    Joy is a more personal step than happiness.  Joy comes from within. It connect to the heart. It is more a feeling, a state of being,
    a sense of satisfaction and well being.  You feel it in your mind, body and soul.

    To experience joy you can live more in the moment, live with a peaceful heart, feel gratitude, appreciate the good in life, let go of the bad, be mindful, stop and smell the roses.

    Russian River Peace
    Russian River Peace

    To attain happiness you do, to achieve joy you be.

    Joy is to experience happiness like you really mean it.

    This may seem like a fine distinction but joy is usually experienced on a deeper level. It can consume more of our senses.

    There is a place for both in our lives. They each provide us with a different result.  This month the focus is on bringing both more
    joy and happiness into our daily lives.

    To get started, each day in your journal record a joyful or happy experience.

  • Life on a Treadmill

    As you read this blog post, think – Are you happy and satisfied with your life right now?

    Life is a journey.

    This year, this week, this day, this moment – we are living our lives.

    The past is over. We can never it get back. We have good or bad memories.  We can have a do-over experiences. In fact, if we didn’t learn a life lesson the first time around, we may repeat it until we do.   But when we try again to get a different outcome, we may need to take different actions.

    The future is a promise of what lies ahead.  We can dream and plan for the future but there is no guarantee that it will come. Circumstances change, events happen that can change the course of our lives in an instant.

    So what we have is the NOW. The question is how is our “NOW” working for us.

    Am I happy or miserable, fulfilled or wanting, successful or struggling, passionate or complacent? Am I making the choices to create a life I want or letting life make them for me?

    For many of us, life happens on a treadmill.

    I don’t mean that dusty piece of gym equipment taking up too much space in your home, acting like a coat rack, bookshelves or junk pile, that continual reminder of wasted money and an unfulfilled desire, goal and commitment to be fit.

    I mean on the treadmill of the routines we created in our lives. Routines that may or may not be working to get desired results we want. We take the  same steps day after day, going round and round and round, taking one step at a time, moving fast or slow, changing the pace and the duration but essentially going along the same path without any significant variation.

    But to what end.  If we stay on your treadmill throughout this year and the next five, where will we be, what will be different?

    Taking small steps off the treadmill does encourage change, growth, choice and opportunities.

    Is NOW the time to get off of your treadmill and make the conscious decision to live the life you dream of?

    Next week, we will create statements that define what your successful life look like.