One of my business professors once told me that if he were to ask me one day in the short future how I'm doing at work, my answer is not going to be based on how much money I make or what my dental plan/healthcare/benefits are, but on how I feel, how happy I am. Sooo... what makes me happy?
Looking back to some of my happiest moments there are a few recurring themes. The first and foremost being people. I enjoy being around people, friends, and family. What makes me happy is being surrounded by people who I can feel comfortable being myself around because I'm kind of weird with an even weirder sense of humor. I love to laugh so I like being around people who can make me laugh until I basically start crying. Being around people that I care about and being able to make them happy, well there's almost no better feeling.
And for me, it's also about helping people. When I, along with my high school student council exec board, helped fundraise post Haiti earthquake with a student vs. faculty basketball game, that was the first distinct moment of happiness I had with the underlying current of purpose and self-worth. This feeling that this is what I want to do: help people in devastation or third-world countries. This is something I can do. This driving force of purpose and knowing my potential in being able to do something bigger than myself makes me happy.
Another moment, no matter how brief, of happiness for me is when I am able to get away from it all. Not in the sense of being a recluse, but just a moment to myself (preferably on a nice sunny sandy beach with a book in my hand) to not have to worry about school, money, food, or anything. Doing things that remind me how young we all are, how life can be so temporary to worry all the time, how big and small the world can be at times. Moments where I can lose myself having fun with friends and family, moments where I have to catch my breath, moments where I appreciate what life is truly about in the beauty of all it has to offer, and all these infinite moments, no matter how brief, all add up to happiness.
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