Connecting With Others Offers A Sense of Well-Being
What do you want?
Do you spend time thinking about it?
There’s nothing wrong in wanting an abundance of money and materialistic things. But it becomes problematic when you think that financial success or a job with status will bring you happiness.
It’s problematic when you follow the formula that our culture has brainwashed most of us into believing – that getting excellent grades, attending a good college, acquiring a well paying job, buying the house and cars, getting married, etc. – BELIEVING that if if you just do this (which takes a Herculean sustained effort), that you will be assured to live the life of your dreams.
That is rarely the case.
Because the truth is this.
We want something much more.
We want to be happy.
We want to be loved.
We want to experience joy and rapture.
We want to be connected – to ourselves, others, community, nature, and spirit.
We want kindness and generosity.
We want to make meaning out of our lives.
We want to feel that our presence on this earth will be remembered by others after we’re no longer around.
We want to dream. And we want to live our dreams.
And as or more importantly, we want to open to possibilities. So many of us have lost the tools for imagining.
We want to feel empowered.
We want inner peace and well-being.
We want guidance.
We want to get off the treadmill of constantly searching and looking for what it is that is going to enable us to live with a sense of excitement, discovery, and richness.
We want to get unstuck and stop asking ‘Is this all there is to life?’
If some of what I’ve written has hit a chord with you, I have a suggestion.
Take a pen and paper and reflect – just a few minutes each day- on what it is you want. Whatever comes to your mind, write it down. It doesn’t matter what it is. But make sure your daily list includes at least 5 things.
Do this for 2 weeks and then spend time going over your list. It can offer you some good insight into yourself.
After you’ve done this practice for a few days, I’d love to hear from you what you’re discovering about yourself!
Love this post Fran. Writing what we want down is a great way to focus on our hopes and dreams. They are so important to our wellbeing and if we are well for ourselves, everyone around us benefits too!
Thanks Carolyn. The truth is that so many of us really DON’T KNOW what we want. We are on auto-pilot just trying to make it through the day. As you said, taking the time to focus – and be reflective- can open us up to huge possibilities. Warmly, Fran
Wonderful Fran…this is something I have been meaning to add to my gratitude journal….I will start it right away so as not to put it off further.
Donna-
Am glad you’re doing to do it. Let me know what you find out about yourself as you go through the process. Warmly, Fran
Simply brilliant Fran! We want to be happy. We want to be loved. Self-love is a healing force. We are Love. Let’s nurture that.
Points well taken Martine. Thanks so much for stopping by to chime in. 🙂 Fran
Your post certainly struck a chord with me. As someone who has just given up their ‘day job’ to pursue the things they love – making art and writing – I couldn’t agree more with your sentiments.
PS You met my sister, Clare, in Israel and I would like to thank you so much for becoming her friend when things were so hard for her.
Elspeth- Congratulations on giving up your day job. How wonderful. I have a terrible memory. Remind me how I met your sister Clare. Regardless, I hope she is doing better now. And thanks for your comment. It made me smile. Warmly, Fran
Fran,
I enjoyed reading this. It’s true we are brainwashed into thinking “if we only had this” then we would be happy. Happiness is something we can feel each day – for no reason at all. In fact, that’s my favorite way to feel; simply happy for just “being.”
Sending you a big hug,
Angela
Ange- How true. I’m well aware as I’ve gotten ‘wiser/older’ (LOL), that it’s the simple things in life that make me happy….like the smell of the grass after a rain or watching some dogs playing in the park. Always good to see you here. A big hug –
Hi Fran,
That’s one powerful question you’ve just asked.
What do you want?
Wish we all were very clear about it.
Point is I am certain we all want to be happy, and fulfilled ,more than anything else.
Yet how many of us explore what that involves?That’s the rub.
Happiness can be obtained for those who believe it must be obtained.However,happiness will prevail for those who know it is a state of being ,instead of an event heralding the acquisition of something (happiness).So ,essentially happiness is a state of being.
It is not in having everything happening our way necessarily all the time.Rather,it is a state of mind & being to be in grace inspite of what ever is happening outside.So at best we can “incline ourselves towards happiness”as Marci Shimoff says.
Thanks
Mona
Mona- Sorry for the delay to your wonderful comment. It has been a week long celebration of my Dad’s 90th birthday. Just returned to working late yesterday. You are right on target in saying that happiness is a state of being rather than acquisitions or having things go our way all of the time. To be grateful for what is- regardless of what’s happening in your life- takes tremendous practice but it can be done. I’ve witnessed some individuals who have been through tragedy and they are still grateful for the beauty in their lives- talk about inspiring. These folks are my role models!! Thanks for stopping by. Fran