What is happiness? What makes you happy? Can you increase your happiness? These are very interesting and current questions, especially in times when loneliness is a major mental health issue.
George Gallup, the father of the Gallup Poll, was asked what he was most interested in finding out, and he stated it was “Happiness.” Now, there is a world happiness poll and the United States ranking has slipped out of the 20 most happy places to live in the world.
Happiness is a concern for everyone. Almost every decision we make is in terms of what will make us happy. There are many ways that people define happiness and many paths to achieving happiness. No matter the path, the happier you are the fewer physical ills you will suffer, the slower you will age and the longer you will live.
What can be more important in “Living and Growing” than being happy? In this article I will list “10 Things You Can Do To Be Happy,” based on the writing of Lewis Vaughn. You may have to do some pondering to figure out how to give these key phrases meaning in your own life.
1. Love Yourself.
2. Seek the Loving Life
3. Join the Workday or Volunteer World
4. Enjoy the Power of Touch
5. Live One Day at a Time
6. Turn on the Laughter
7. Move Your Muscles
8. Search for Meaning in Your Life
9. Take Time to Waste Time
10. Give to Others
Let’s expand this list considering the advantage we have of living in this very uniquely wonderful Southeastern Alaska.
The natural beauty that surrounds us is a very special blessing every waking moment. We have the opportunity to feast our eyes on snow-capped mountains, fog clouds sticking to mountain trees like cotton candy, vast forests, the ever-changing sky and sea, soaring birds, land and sea creatures, and the blessings of rain.
“Move your muscles” by walking, hiking, climbing, kayaking, cycling, skiing, snowshoeing, and rowing while enjoying the beauty that surrounds you.
“Enjoy the Power of Touch.” Human touch is so important, but you can also enjoy the touch of a wool sweater on a cold day, the brisk wind and sea spray, the warmth of a wood fire, or even rain on the face.
Perhaps find “Meaning in Your Life” looking down from a mountain at the busyness of life below and reflecting on how at least for a moment you have removed yourself from all that activity.
“Live One Day at a Time” knowing that even if you have to spend a day in front of the computer that there will be another day when you can answer the call of the sea and mountains.
“Give to Others” by joining every once in a while in one of many great volunteer opportunities available to you to care for creation or to better the lives of others in this small isolated community, where caring for others is so important.
“Turn on Laughter.” Can you find joy and laughter in the antics of your pets, birds at the feeder or other animals? Can you laugh at yourself when the wind turns your umbrella inside out? Can you find joy as the snow melts on your face? Do you experience joy in the presence of others?
Finally, don’t make a checklist of these qualities. Instead, live life to the fullest that you are capable of at any moment. Never forget to “Waste Time,” perhaps with a cup of hot chocolate, coffee or tea, petting your four-legged friend, making or listening to music, or cuddled up with your afghan listening to the rain.
Here is a prayer from the Buddhist tradition that you might consider:
May I be Happy.
May I be peaceful.
May I be free.
May my friends be Happy.
May my friends be free.
May my enemies be Happy.
May my enemies be free.
May my enemies be peaceful.
May all beings be Happy.
May all beings be peaceful.
May all beings be free.
My prayer for you is that you will be blessed with happiness.
• Roger Wharton served as an Episcopal priest in Juneau and is the founder of EcoSpirit.org. He currently spends time between Silicon Valley and a cabin in the Sierras. “Living & Growing” is a weekly column written by different authors and submitted by local clergy and spiritual leaders. It appears every Saturday on the Juneau Empire’s Faith page.
