The Opposites in Happiness

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I like thinking about happiness, as may be evident by the fact that last year I focused on "living after the manner of happiness" and this year I am contemplating joy.  For Mother's Day Trisa bought me a book that I wanted called 52 Lists for Happiness by Moorea Seal, and I have been reading (not for the first time) The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  I really enjoy thinking about happiness and joy, and what kinds of things I can do to bring more of those things to me, and to others.

The very first list I am to make in the 52 Lists for Happiness book is what makes me happy now.  As I have been thinking about, and writing this list, I discovered that sometimes happiness is found in total opposites and so what makes me happy right now, might not make me happy tomorrow. 

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I find a lot of happiness in having the sun shining.  I like the warmth, I like lifting my face up and feeling its rays warm my skin.  I find sunshine to be cheerful and comforting.  On the other hand, I also love dark clouds, and pounding thunder storms.  I like gentle rains that smell fresh and new.  These can remind me of God's power and how He takes care of me.

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I love talking to people, but I also love solitude.  I love organizing which means that I can see a room stacked full of mess and, if I have energy, can be happy at the idea that I can make it better!  Sometimes books where I can learn a little something helpful make me happy, and other times they just seem like work, and it is something romantic and funny that brings out the happiness.

In The Happiness Project Gretchen sometimes talks about finishing a nagging task.  Obviously, the nagging task itself doesn't bring happiness -- or it would likely already be done.  But finishing something that I've been dreading does bring happiness -- or at least enough relief that it feels happy!

Add to all of this the fact that helping others is often a great way to feel happy, but if I am tired, and hungry then helping others might seem like a chore because I feel more like I need to be taken care of than like I should take care of someone else.  That's not to say I shouldn't help when I don't feel like it, but I think I do need to take into account whether or not I have taken care of myself.  Maybe eating a sandwich and taking five minutes before I go to help can help me be a more willing and better helper!

I suspect that if there were not ever rain, I would not enjoy the sun as much, and if I was always alone, I would not enjoy solitude at all.  It is fun to find things that make me happy.  It is also fun to discover that if I look at the opposite thing, I might find something else that makes me happy.   I also might find something I don't enjoy like sickness which helps my happiness by helping me to appreciate and find joy in health.

I didn't know what to end with -- so here are some happy horses!