Seeking happiness seems to be a universal concept. Despite it seeming to be universal, happiness is highly subjective and may change at any time. The causes and levels of happiness I have had in my life have changed as I, as an individual, have changed as well. At this point in my life, happiness is closely associated with love. I am happiest when I am around those that I love, and when I am doing things that I love.
My family and friends mean the world to me. Through the hardships I’ve faced over the years, it has become clear to me who matters most in my life, and who bring me the most happiness. When things were hard in my life and getting harder, these people were the bright spots in my dark days. I would not be where I am today without them.\
I can also find happiness in the things I do. I love to be creative. Anything I can do with my hands, like painting or sewing. I love being active, like going on hikes or dancing. There’s something that’s kind of indescribable about these things, other than when I do them I just can’t help but feel happy. Even thinking about these things gives me a rush of energy and warmth in my chest.
I really resonated with some of the quotes that we saw in class. The ancient philosophers who talked about methods and means of happiness. Particularly Thomas Aquinas and Lao-Tzu. The quote from Thomas Aquinas expresses how happiness comes from within, and that you must be receptive to it in order to be happy (Finley, 2020). Often times when people get in a depressed state they resist anything that could potentially change their mood. I try my best to not get stuck in my sadness for too long. Lao-Tzu talked about being present and grateful rather than always wanting more. If you are in a state of mind where you’re wanting, it has the potential to go on forever, leaving you perpetually unsatisfied. But if you are in a more present and grateful mindset, your capacity for happiness is much higher (Finley, 2020). Through the hardships I have encountered in my life, I have learned how to be grateful for what I have. In comparison to some of the low experiences I’ve had, or even experiences of those around me, I am able to find happiness or a silver lining in whatever situation I’m in. This is also known as downward social comparison (Peterson, 2006). I feel like these ideas are in the same vein as Lao-Tzu’s philosophy.
There were a lot of commonalities between the answers we got when we asked a stranger’s definitions of happiness. Many mentioned family or friends but there was one that I particularly related to. One person who worked in the book store said they feel happy when they serve students and see the joy they bring them. I also feel a lot of happiness when I am in service to others. This is why I joined student leadership in high school, was attracted to working for orientation, and why I chose my career path. Though I do relate to the other statements about friends and family, service is something that is very important to me and something that makes me the happiest.
Three Little Birds 
I really enjoyed this blog entry, it’s great! I really enjoyed reading about your family, and was able to relate to a lot of the things you said, such as enjoying being around others and getting a warm feeling even when thinking about activities you love to do. I especially enjoyed your correlation to Thomas Aquinas’ quote, because I understand what that is like as well. My question for you is how will you use the quote from Aquinas and Lao-Tzu to understand your happiness and better your daily life?
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Thanks, Lauren! In line with Aquinas and Lao-Tzu’s philosophies I want to try to be open and receptive of the things around me, and to recognize that I have to be willing to let the positive come into my life, and not to get too bogged down by the negatives. Simultaneously I will continue to try to be grateful for the positives that I am able to recognize.
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I, too, find the most happiness in my loving relationships right now, and I completely understand your connection to your family as a support system. Your enjoyment of the creative and physical seemed almost youthfully innocent by your description, and it honestly made me want to paint again, as it has been a few months since I’ve been able to. I admire your ability to move forward from sadness, especially because I think I’ve been in a smile deficit lately.
I was wondering while reading your post: How do you plan to integrate service into your life after college, since it is such a large source of happiness to you?
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Thank you for your kind words! In the near future I will be applying to grad school to get my PsyD and I am looking to become a therapist in the children’s hospital! I really feel like I would be able to help these kids as I have had first hand experience with what several of them are going through.
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First, when did you self discover the things you love to do? How young? Because we both love to create art. I discovered that talent when I was a young girl. But I didn’t know this about you! Your work is very impressive and I had to tell you that. I’m personally more of a drawer than a painter. Props to painters because it’s hard to me.
Secondly, the part with Lao-Tzu was well said. I feel that in my situation right now I always tend to demand more rather than show my gratitude to the people I love. It’s natural so I often fail to notice the bad habit til someone important to me confronts me. Now I feel less happy and less positive. I now know what I need to work on. “If you are in a state of mind where you’re wanting, it has the potential to go on forever, leaving you perpetually unsatisfied.” I felt that!!!
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I have always enjoyed drawing, ever since I was a kid! But it was limited primarily to doodles in my notebooks (and the brief period of time when I was a little girl when I was determined to be a fashion designer) but I took my first real painting class my second semester of college and I’ve been all about it since! And I’m the opposite, I’m more of a painter than a drawer, so my props to you as well. And I’m glad you could resonate with what I said about Lao-Tzu. I think its really important to be present and grateful for the moment you are in, and I hope for you that doing so will bring you more joy! 🙂
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