Seeking Happiness

Rules for Happiness:

something to do,

someone to love, 

something to hope for.

Immanuel Kant

I think Immanuel  (an 18th century German Philosopher) was onto something. 

Last year my mum told me she was worried about me, that I didn't seem happy. Which was absolutely true, but then I couldn't remember a time when I was happy. I have had a bunch of moments of happiness, but by nature I am not a content person. I am really only at my best when I feel like I am achieving something and have something to strive for. Which is tough when you spend a heck of a lot of time striving but not yet achieving.

That is why, in January, when I heard about 100 Happy Days, I had to give it a go.

My 100 happy days finished on April 25th, which, in Australia (and New Zealand) is ANZAC day, a day of remembrance for those who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. Remembrance for me is about gratitude and respect (that is just where it sits in my head) so this coincidence resonated with me. Practising gratitude is one of the major things that they say ('they' being the ones who know things) brings happiness. 

I stumbled across this graphic the other day

     Source

Half way....

In January I signed up for 100 Happy Days, a project where, for 100 days, you submit a photo of something that made you happy. You can find my initial post here. Well, I am halfway (more than halfway actually) and going strong.

It has been a very interesting exercise and tougher than I thought it might be after that first day of relishing the novelty of it all. It may be because some big stuff has happened- I changed jobs, I had (another) health scare and the Bookworm went back to uni. Some days I was so overwhelmed by the world that trying to find a good moment seemed impossible and exhausting but because I had* to, I did. That is really the essence of the project for me; even on a bad day, most of my problems are very first world and there is always something to be grateful for or a moment of happiness to reflect upon.

Struggletown days

100 Happy Days

I was sceptical at first, but also intrigued by the loveliness of the idea- every day for 100 days take a picture of something that made you happy. On the website they suggest cake is a viable picture option; OK, I can do this, I have permission to take pictures of my food in the strive towards happiness. BRING IT ON!
The concept is delightfully simple, by recognising moments of happiness you are moving towards living in the moment and becoming happier and more satisfied with your life.

I started on Thursday, one of Melbourne's hotter days with the mercury set to reach 44C. I had a 10 hour shift in The Wine Shop With No Wine and also no air-conditioning- this was going to be tougher than I thought.