Serene Karplus

Nederland

Pursuit of Happiness

An unending human quest, no matter where in the world we live, is to preserve life, seek liberty, and pursue happiness. Some find it interesting that our American belief structure considers happiness something we have a right to pursue, but doesn’t assume we will actually achieve it.

The U.S. work ethic and vacation practice doesn’t really set us up so well as, say, a European worker, who will have three to four times as many weeks of vacation as we will. So, with little time to pursue happiness away from our work, we must invest some energy into seeking it within the framework of our work. Whether our work is a job, caregiving, creating art, or being with family, we spend so many hours performing these tasks or commuting to them, that we must find the ways in which they make us happy. Or content. Or at least somehow satisfied.

The most important way we can do that for ourselves is in adjusting our perspective. Some people love their commute as a time to be alone with their thoughts, to sing along to favorite songs in their car, to listen to a gripping book, or to read a magazine or watch downloaded shows on their cell phone while riding public transport. Some people love their co-workers and experience them as a network of social connections, learning stories of their lives, feeling empathy with them, caring about their birthdays and life events. Others love the work itself, the stimulation to their brain, the challenges to solve, the new systems to learn.

We can be happy however we wish and find happiness wherever we choose. For some, complete freedom of time and movement is a treasure, while others crave structure to feel efficient, effective, and of value to the world. Some must always be of service to others and feel that self-indulgent time is frivolous, while others feel anger at time they feel is taken from them by others.

Many of us are an inconsistent mix of all these people. When we are not sure which parts of our desires are the most important to satisfy, we maintain the status quo. Maybe we continue because we don’t have the extra time and energy to truly ponder what we want. Sometimes we do what we do because we don’t see past our current situation to other opportunities.

When we enjoy our jobs (or if retired, our volunteer commitments), we can spread our happiness at work amongst our coworkers, clients, friends, or others we contact regularly. We can help others appreciate what is good in any situation. Studies have shown that the more we express gratitude and positive emotions, the healthier and longer-lived we are, and spreading joy reflects back to us.

Let’s take a moment in this first month of the new year to consider how to find happiness in our current situations and what changes we need to make to enjoy them fully. We can create our little corner of the world, our little piece of the bigger picture, to ensure that we not only pursue happiness, but actually achieve it – every hour, every day, always.

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All adults are welcome at all Mountain MidLife and Nederland Area Seniors events, attended mostly by folks over age 50. Everyone is invited to all meals at the Nederland Community Center. Please call two days ahead for lunch reservations (a week ahead for dinners and breakfasts if possible) to 303-258-0799. Missed the deadline? Call anyway. Costs listed show first the over-age-60 requested anonymous contribution, then the under-age-60. Please note that anyone over age 60 is welcome regardless of ability to contribute financially.