Happiness

A Livejournal friend recently posted a question about what we do to get through this life. Her implied question is what do we do to be happy. It's an important one because I don't believe there is any real purpose to our existence. We're just like everything else on Earth except we're probably a bit more self-aware than most other animals. I don't believe in a higher power so I don't think anyone or anything put us here. Since we don't have a real purpose we might as well be happy. 2008 has been a year of introspection for me and I think I've now got a better sense of who I am and how I can be happy.

The real tipping point for me came when I decided not to worry as much. Worry was leading to anxiety which led to impatience which led to nothing good. Some of you may find it hard to believe, but I hardly ever worry now and I'm much happier for it. I've been getting out and about more because I don't worry about what other people think or what might happen. I go into these friendly encounters or social situations with no expectations. I've been just trying to have fun by being myself. I don't try to be the funniest dude or the smartest or whatever. If people don't like me, then too bad for them. I'm not going to sweat it because I'm sure there are people out there who do or will like me. Those are the people that I want to meet. I'm not going to waste time trying to force a square peg into a round hole. As a consequence, I'm much more relaxed and that makes me an easier person to be around. If people aren't comfortable around you then they aren't going to want to spend any time with you.

What else helps is that I no longer expect anything from my activities. I go in with an open mind and whatever happens, happens. It's not fatalistic because our life is defined by our choices, but we can't control other people or their actions.

I think getting into better shape has helped as well. Exercise releases a lot of endorphins.

I think this line sums it up for me: The key to happiness is to be satisfied with what happens when you give it your best shot.