Lasting Happiness

I’m really passionate about the idea of spreading how to do happiness. I’m talking about durable Happiness; not what you get from moments of achievement or satisfied desire. It's about making use of what you enjoy. I particularly want to help our kids - who doesn't want children to be happy and fulfilled in life? Now, I don't think it's for me to talk to them directly (there are laws to protect them). They are your kids, or in your care. But are you interested in helping them and yourself at the same time?

It's easier to learn when you’re young isn't it? So this blog is also about how to help your kids survive growing up – by working on your own happiness at the same time. Lead by example; they are watching you! Are you willing to do what it takes? Because this is not an easy path to follow. You will be stepping out of the norm; thinking differently from other parents, and quite probably teachers and almost everyone you hear.

Many of us may like the idea of empowered children (and many, frankly, do not). We might like the idea of them being able to ask for and strive for they want, to fulfil their real potential, and be happy in the process. However, their are consequences. What if they do indeed begin to be themselves? Maybe they will not do what you want. It is a challenge to move to listening, understanding and enabling, as opposed to 'knowing what's best' and 'helping'. It will go against the grain for most people. Do you think it is worth pursuing?

Think about your own life; how truly happy are you? How much of what you do you really enjoy? I'm not talking about not having hard work or tough times. I was talking to a chap only last week, who loves playing the french horn, in a top orchestra. He mainly loves his job; but he felt motivated to say that sometimes he had to play a lot of c@@p stuff. He wasn't happy at all with that. It seemed to spoil his true happiness. He didn't quite feel fulfilled. But how could he change it?

Well, you start by considering the possibility. He told that he likes to go distance running. He enjoys it; so much so that he will get up early and run for many miles, whatever the weather. That's tough; but he would never complain about it; he would never say he didn't like it, even on a tough hill with the rain in his face. The reason is, he would remember that it was his choice to go out. And he was happy about running; he enjoyed it.

Now, what would happen with someone who did not like running? They might complain about how early they had to get up, or the rotten weather, or the hilly route, or any number of things. It seems to me, that when you are doing YOUR chosen thing, no matter how tough it gets, you keep motivated and you get sustained joy. The trouble starts when you are not on your true path. Some of the things you do you may like - and you might say you had a good day. Sometimes you have a bad day. As you get closer to working towards your true purpose, all 'hills' are just hills, not bad experiences.