Manufacturing Happiness
Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2023 3:55 pm
So, next month is Thanksgiving, which has slowly become my favorite holiday of the year (I used to be more partial to Christmas). Just recently, it feels like I've had a somewhat profound epiphany: giving thanks manufactures happiness.
In fact, I've come to realize that simply spending time appreciating what's good about my life puts me in a better mood.
My wife and I went on a little weekend getaway recently, and found this cute little town to spend a couple days touring, checking out the restaurants, breweries and wine tasting rooms, and absorbing the surrounding beauty. It occurred to me that the reason I love going on vacation so much is that my wife and I have a tendency to talk about how cool what we're experiencing is the whole time we're there. We're in maximum appreciation mode.
I've heard people talk about the benefits of giving thanks (always on Thanksgiving), but I'd never really internalized what they've been saying this whole time.
It's about one's focus. What do you choose to think about? What do you choose to dwell on? Lately I've been trying to focus on what I've got going for me (my wife and daughter, our house, our town, our financial stability, etc etc) and less on the things that concern or annoy me. I do this because I realize dwelling on the good makes me an overall happier person. I can create moments of happiness in my life by simply focusing on what's good.
In hindsight, this all seems obvious to me, and I suspect many of you reading this are thinking, well no crap, Sherlock, and that might be fair. I just thought I'd mention it because it seems to me to be one of the most valuable self-discoveries I've made. Be grateful, and happiness will follow.
In fact, I've come to realize that simply spending time appreciating what's good about my life puts me in a better mood.
My wife and I went on a little weekend getaway recently, and found this cute little town to spend a couple days touring, checking out the restaurants, breweries and wine tasting rooms, and absorbing the surrounding beauty. It occurred to me that the reason I love going on vacation so much is that my wife and I have a tendency to talk about how cool what we're experiencing is the whole time we're there. We're in maximum appreciation mode.
I've heard people talk about the benefits of giving thanks (always on Thanksgiving), but I'd never really internalized what they've been saying this whole time.
It's about one's focus. What do you choose to think about? What do you choose to dwell on? Lately I've been trying to focus on what I've got going for me (my wife and daughter, our house, our town, our financial stability, etc etc) and less on the things that concern or annoy me. I do this because I realize dwelling on the good makes me an overall happier person. I can create moments of happiness in my life by simply focusing on what's good.
In hindsight, this all seems obvious to me, and I suspect many of you reading this are thinking, well no crap, Sherlock, and that might be fair. I just thought I'd mention it because it seems to me to be one of the most valuable self-discoveries I've made. Be grateful, and happiness will follow.