The pursuit of happiness..part 1
Merriam and Webster define happiness as "a state of well being and contentment: joy" for one of its definitions. Is it actually possible to get to a point of complete contentment/joy for a prolonged period of time? And if so, how do you stay there? These next few blogs will be targeted towards that idea.
This is a concept I have been wrestling with for some time now. It all started when I hit the "bottom" of my life thus far almost 5 years ago, and I started looking for a way to find happiness. When I look back on that situation now, it doesn't seem as bad as I thought it was at the time, especially when I consider some of the hardships people are going through in this world. I am not trying to say that my problems were not significant, because in my world they were, but with a different perspective my issues could have been much easier to cope with.
I came to full the understanding of how insignificant my "problems" were last year when I was in Honduras for a chiropractic clinic abroad trip, in which 16 or so students and 3 doctors treated people for free in hospitals, orphanages, and villages over the course of two weeks. Seeing the immense gratitude in the people and the love in their hearts for us just for giving our time was truly awe inspiring. The thing that touched me the most was when we made an impromptu trip to a small (meaning 40 people or so), very poor village to adjust the people. These people barely had any shelter, the houses were so tiny, the size of one room in a modern house here. They couldn't send their kids to the school because they couldn't afford the uniforms, which were something approximate to 5-10 USD per child. (Our group ended up donating the money to the village so they could get the uniforms and supplies for the kids to go to school!) Seeing how little they had, but still how full of joy they were, and how much they appreciated everything they did have was incredible. I remember being so angry getting back on the bus when it was time to leave and hearing people complain about the lunches we were provided. How can you complain about the type of food you have when we just saw so many people who can barely afford to eat? I haven't been the same since that trip.
Upon return to the States, I proceeded to raid my closet and gave away a good amount of my clothes and things to Goodwill. I felt ashamed and selfish for ever complaining about anything in my life. But I am still working on it; when I complain because the power is out for an hour, or because I don't have shoes to match my purse, or that today the water is cold in my shower, I think back to my time in Honduras and think about how the people there didn't have even half of what I have, but were still joyful and grateful for everything they did have. I believe that is the first step towards happiness, being grateful for what you do have. That is easier said than done, especially in a country where most of us enjoy luxuries, and where many people (including me) have been spoiled their entire lives. Flipping a switch and always having light, turning a knob and having clean water, having a roof over my head and a bed to sleep on. I take so much for granted. So no matter your situation, think about what you do have, even the smallest things, and be grateful! Everyday!
To be continued....
ALC
This is a concept I have been wrestling with for some time now. It all started when I hit the "bottom" of my life thus far almost 5 years ago, and I started looking for a way to find happiness. When I look back on that situation now, it doesn't seem as bad as I thought it was at the time, especially when I consider some of the hardships people are going through in this world. I am not trying to say that my problems were not significant, because in my world they were, but with a different perspective my issues could have been much easier to cope with.
I came to full the understanding of how insignificant my "problems" were last year when I was in Honduras for a chiropractic clinic abroad trip, in which 16 or so students and 3 doctors treated people for free in hospitals, orphanages, and villages over the course of two weeks. Seeing the immense gratitude in the people and the love in their hearts for us just for giving our time was truly awe inspiring. The thing that touched me the most was when we made an impromptu trip to a small (meaning 40 people or so), very poor village to adjust the people. These people barely had any shelter, the houses were so tiny, the size of one room in a modern house here. They couldn't send their kids to the school because they couldn't afford the uniforms, which were something approximate to 5-10 USD per child. (Our group ended up donating the money to the village so they could get the uniforms and supplies for the kids to go to school!) Seeing how little they had, but still how full of joy they were, and how much they appreciated everything they did have was incredible. I remember being so angry getting back on the bus when it was time to leave and hearing people complain about the lunches we were provided. How can you complain about the type of food you have when we just saw so many people who can barely afford to eat? I haven't been the same since that trip.
Upon return to the States, I proceeded to raid my closet and gave away a good amount of my clothes and things to Goodwill. I felt ashamed and selfish for ever complaining about anything in my life. But I am still working on it; when I complain because the power is out for an hour, or because I don't have shoes to match my purse, or that today the water is cold in my shower, I think back to my time in Honduras and think about how the people there didn't have even half of what I have, but were still joyful and grateful for everything they did have. I believe that is the first step towards happiness, being grateful for what you do have. That is easier said than done, especially in a country where most of us enjoy luxuries, and where many people (including me) have been spoiled their entire lives. Flipping a switch and always having light, turning a knob and having clean water, having a roof over my head and a bed to sleep on. I take so much for granted. So no matter your situation, think about what you do have, even the smallest things, and be grateful! Everyday!
To be continued....
ALC
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