My husband asked me the other day "Are you happy?" The shock of such a deep question coming from my normally quiet husband who is generally engrossed on the computer with planning the boat he may build someday-for now it's a virtual boat, stopped me in my tracks. How often do your friends or anyone you know ask you a probing question like that? Well, my friend Caryn does and she asks complete strangers and they answer her with their whole life story in one sitting. Now, you understand why we are such good friends.
So, I got to thinking how most of us go through life living in our own little silent world, talking inside to ourselves as we analyze our lives. Maybe asking ourself the same question "Am I happy?" I do a lot of journal writing about my thoughts and life. Although I haven't asked myself that specific question for a long long time. I do analyze what is going on in my life and how I'm feeling at the moment. It's helpful to sort out my emotions and get back on track.
Almost 20 years when I was about to turn 50, I remember asking myself that question and the answer was "I wasn't happy." My desire or hope was for just "one year of happiness." Those thoughts lead to some important decisions on my part as I got divorced and started over again with a new first name. I shortened my name legally with the divorce papers from Linda to Lin and tried to reinvent my life after living through or rather SURVIVING raising 3 teenagers, a toddler, and life with an unhappy husband. Guess what, taking that action lead to better things for me. A new attitude as I felt I was in charge of my life, ACTING instead of just REACTING. Later, I met Allen at a singles dance and life changed dramatically for me in the 16 years we've been married since then. (Photos of me in my thirties and with my cousin Marion.)
Looking back I'm not so sure it's important to be HAPPY as it is to be PRODUCTIVE and moving forward with your life. CONTENTMENT and PERSONAL PEACE are more lasting than momentary happiness or PLEASURE. Which leads me to think of JOY and all it's spiritual ramifications. Life is full of ups and downs. What are your observations?