“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~ Harold Whitman
I have never been someone who has collections. In my mind collections are dust collecting trinkets that people love to spend weekends searching for and then display proudly in their homes. However, walking into my bedroom this morning to search for a book on my bedside table actually made me stop and think that maybe I am actually a collector – a collector of information.
Since I have commenced my journey into understanding happiness, I have become quite obsessed with the subject. I have gone to two libraries to search for books, have trawled my local bookstores and downloading onto my Kindle has become a daily occurrence. I’m at the point where if I could sit and spend the next month reading 24 hours a day, I might start to make a dent in my happiness ‘collection.’
Starting my own happiness project rather than just reading about happiness has been quite an exciting experience. As I posted earlier I have begun week one by going to bed earlier. Today is day four in this exercise however I will refrain from commenting on my progress until next week when I begin my second happiness activity.
I met with a friend yesterday which gave me the opportunity to tentatively start to articulate what my happiness journey actually was. Her first reaction was to place a caring hand on my arm and ask “aren’t you happy Deb?” I tried to explain as best as I could that yes, I think I am, but am I really? Am I making the most of my life, am I intentionally living happy? Gretchen Rubin says, “the days are long, but the years are short.” Her words resonate with me like a clap of thunder. So yes, I am happy. But there are aspects of my life that I am feeling I could do better. I want to be intentional. Because the years are short.
So the next step for me in this process has been to create what I have called my Personal Pillars for Happiness. These are the principles that I will use throughout my happiness project. If I am doubting or questioning, bringing myself back to these pillars, (I hope) will help to bring some clarity. Defining my Personal Pillars for Happiness has been a process in itself but I have cemented them now. It’s time to live them.
My 10 Personal Pillars for Happiness
- Go back to my source
- It’s ok to be Debra
- Saying no isn’t selfish
- Does it really matter?
- Smile
- Do it now
- React less
- Everyone is loved
- Enjoy the journey
- Leave a legacy
Some of these are straightforward, some I will explain in future posts. But there they are, my pillars. And I’m happy with them.
