Happiness can be synthesized! Humans have a psycho-
logical immune system, which helps them to change their
view of the world. Dan Gilbert
When we choose to experience and accept whatever crosses our path for what it is, Dan Gilbert, author of Stumbling On Happiness, maintains “we have within us the capacity to manufacture the very commodity [happiness] we are chasing.” His research indicates that when we don’t get what we want and still make do with what we have, we discover ourselves to be as happy as when we do get what we want.
‘Tis nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so. Shakespeare
Herein exists the secret to happiness — there is unanticipated joy in making do even when things don’t go as planned. This makes me wonder — Why bother to plan our lives in the hope of getting what we want, if instead, we can check out what is already available and accrue happiness at the same time? Surely the latter is less time consuming and much easier than goal seeking, which can feel like pushing a boulder uphill.
I wrote the following poem as a contemplation of my own pursuit of happiness.
Chances for Happiness
Conversations with the cosmos leave me in awe
and inspired by its mystery and magic.
Knock twice I said, when I was less trustful,
and I will act on your wisdom.
“Show me, tell me” became my mantra
as my wounds healed and my trust grew.
Now in league with the cosmos,
chance fades into adventure.
Life, like poker, is a game of chances.
When we ante in, we change our fortune.
16 October 2012
For more on unveiling our joy, click here.
