Last week, Kelvin and I watched The Happy Movie, a documentary about happiness, and it got me thinking a lot about happiness.
Too often we as a society are focused on extrinsic factors such as money, image, status, or material possessions which leaves us at the mercy of outside factors to determine our happiness. Instead, focusing on intrinsic values such as personal growth, relationships, and helping others can lead to happiness.
Other things I learned:
- Physical activity (i.e. exercise) makes us happier, especially when done in new ways.
- People who experience “flow” on a regular basis are happier than those who don’t.
- Having close and supportive family and friends makes us happier.
- The act of cooperating with other human beings releases dopamine.
- Your relationship with work can kill you. Japan is the least happy developed nation. Social pressures often encourage them to work past healthy limits.
I definitely recommend the documentary. As part of a mini happiness project, I hope to focus on things that make me happy on a weekly basis.
Spending time with Kelvin is my happy.
Last week Kelvin surprised me with a home cooked meal and picnic at Signal Hill. I could not be more thankful to have him in my life. I know with him, we’ll always find something new to try or somewhere new to visit. He’s able to find beauty in the most unexpected places. Sometimes our weekend adventures are only a few steps from home and other times they take all weekend to get to. His patience is admirable… waiting hours for the perfect moment of light as the sun sets… and somehow always knows just the right amount of support I need. Thank you, Whiskers. I love you.
