Are you happy with your life?

[Crankyshank]

IMHO, the more people brag about how great their life is, the more miserable they truly are.

I'm not happy. I'm not a happy person, but then again I'm not an unhappy person either. I'm content with my life.

I could use more money. We've lost a significant amount of income this year from DH being laid off and the fact that I haven't had a raise in 3yrs and the one I got was pitiful. I get resentful sometimes of people that get to go away on vacations so often and are able to buy nice things, but I've got debt to pay off before I can get there and it's foolish to spend my time envying others. I made my bed and I'm lying in it. Pissing and moaning won't make my credit card debt go away.

I've had a lot of heavy blows dealt my way in the past year or 2, but I've realized it's not healthy to dwell and aside from the initial worry I deal with it and move on. Like my wonderful and patient husband is forever telling me, it will all work out in the end. And he's right. Just don't tell him I said that.

I pity my friends that have to listen to me vent, but without them and their smacks upside the head when I deserve it, I would have long ago turned into a basket case. And without my wonderful amazing husband, I don't know where I would be.

Sure there are a lot of things that I need to work on, and there are a lot of things that could happen that could make my life better. But who doesn't? I'm just trying to focus on managing my stress level, and enjoying the small things in life.

And Iwaseeyore- I don't much tolerate lemmings either, but that's because I have no tolerance for BS and ignorance - not because I'm unhappy

 

[FroggyinArk]

At the moment, niether happy nor satisfied, not eeven kinda pleased,, last week was cool when we celebrated the drunk going to jail, but now that my medicaid is not paying over in mississippi and i have to change surgical teams to one in arkanss eventhough i have a problem with the drs in miss its a head ache and a pain.

 

[skiwee1]

I am very happy with my life. I have a wonderful husband, 3 great kids and we are all healthy! We have a roof over our heads, have nice cars to drive, can travel when we want and pretty much do what ever we want. I love my life!

 

[slo]

I am a very happy person, and I am very happy in my life.

I have been married for 9 years to my highschool sweetheart. He is the first and only person that I dated and we grew up a block away from each other.

We have 2 beautiful DD's that are 6 and 11 months old. They are happy and healththy.

I have been working at the same job I started at 17 years ago and it is the first and only job that I have had. I am a manager and I make my own schedule. I work when I work and when I need off of work I don't go. When my kids become sick at daycare, I leave. With having a great schedule, I love what I do and I love the people I work with.

We live in the same town that we were born and raised in and we live 2 minutes away from both sets of parents. In a month we are moving to a bigger house in the same town and I can hardly wait. This is a real achievment for us because we had a lot of debt that we worked real hard together to lower and we have been successful.

I could go on and on about my life. I love being a mother and wife and I feel that I have been very blessed in my life. Sure I have bad day, days that you just want to feel sorry for yourself - but that is usually when I have PMS. God has given me many blessing and I am very grateful!!!!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by jennyanydots
Sometimes I wonder if people who brag about how happy they are -- realy aren't.

Geez, I just posted how great my life was and now I read that I just may not be as happy as I say! LOL! Believe me, not everyone is walking around miserable. I truly have a great life and wouldn't change a thing.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
Thanks, but no, not my health, the health of someone very, very dear to me.

Retirement will be snap, but I've still got quite a few years to go for that one.

So sorry to hear about your loved one. Here's a wish and a prayer that whatever it is, it goes as smoothly as possible.

I have signatures turned off here--makes for faster loading at home where I'm on dial-up.

Last time I looked at signatures, I thought your countdown clock to retirement date was a soon date. So when you mentioned a "period in your life," I guessed it might pertain to that.

Anyway, I didn't mean to ramble so much. Just wanted to basically say that I wish you well, Brenda.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Thanks JJ.

The timers are confusing...we are planning to go to WDW next month to celebrate DH's retirement later this year. I have timers for each of the events (trip and his retirement).

 

[LScot]

I think there is a BIG, HUGE difference is being happy and having joy.
I have joy and that is the most important thing to me.

Now happiness? Happiness depends on the day, the circumstances and all that kind of stuff. It is more like a roller coaster ride.
But Joy, well, true joy isn't fleeting.

Beth,
You're so sweet. I can't wait til we meet someday too. When should we do this? Let's not wait forever!!

I think it is much easier to know someone is "bragging" about
their happiness in real life. But even if they're speaking about how wonderful their life is and you doubt they could be so happy, so what? Maybe they'll talk themselves into some happiness and drop some of the negativity from their lives. Of course there is a difference is bragging on "being happy" and bragging about your possessions and the cost of this and that that you own.

 

[poohandwendy]

Brenda, sorry to hear there is someone you love suffering from a serious illness. That is a very hard thing to face...you know you have TONS of people who care and will offer a shoulder or a laugh when you need it...we are all just a pm, phone call or thread away...

I am very happy and wouldn't change a thing (except make my dog healthy and young again...but I am soooo enjoying our last days, weeks, months(?) with him in our lives and he is living like a KING (makes me wonder if he is faking that tumor....lol) !!!

 

[Jungle Skipper]

I used to be a much happier person that I have been for the last few years. There was a time when I was always laughing and cutting up, always a smile on my face. And I was always confident about myself. I didn't care what people thought at all and made that fact known.

I don't know what happened, but thats been 2 or 3 years in the past. I wouldn't say I am a depressed person or unhappy person..just less happy-go-lucky if you will.

My best guess is that I have just been in a transitional period of life...I hope to revert to my old self one...we'll see.

Jungle Josh

 

[poohandwendy]

IMHO, the more people brag about how great their life is, the more miserable they truly are.

I'm not sure what you mean about the 'bragging part'...but I would disagree that people who say they are happy truly are miserable underneath it all(if that is what you mean).

I think true happiness is largely dependent on having a positive outlook. IMO, a negative attitude is the quickest way to misery. When you allow a dark cloud to shade your vision, you won't notice even even the smallest of lifes pleasures....and if you wait for bigger pleasures to feel true happiness, they will be bittersweet because they are so few and far between.....

Waiting for life to 'get better' is living in the 'meantime'...ie. I'll be happy when my job is more secure or I make more money, I'll be happy when we leave for vacation, I'll be happy when the mortgage is paid off........Don't live life in the meantime...live it in the 'moment'

 

[DisMN]

Originally posted by poohandwendy
I'm not sure what you mean about the 'bragging part'...but I would disagree that people who say they are happy truly are miserable underneath it all(if that is what you mean).

I think true happiness is largely dependent on having a positive outlook. IMO, a negative attitude is the quickest way to misery. When you allow a dark cloud to shade your vision, you won't notice even even the smallest of lifes pleasures....and if you wait for bigger pleasures to feel true happiness, they will be bittersweet because they are so few and far between.....

Waiting for life to 'get better' is living in the 'meantime'...ie. I'll be happy when my job is more secure or I make more money, I'll be happy when we leave for vacation, I'll be happy when the mortgage is paid off........Don't live life in the meantime...live it in the 'moment'

Well THERE ya go! You said a mouthfull and so much better than I could! Wow......

 

[bsnyder]

Originally posted by poohandwendy
I'm not sure what you mean about the 'bragging part'...but I would disagree that people who say they are happy truly are miserable underneath it all(if that is what you mean).

I think true happiness is largely dependent on having a positive outlook. IMO, a negative attitude is the quickest way to misery. When you allow a dark cloud to shade your vision, you won't notice even even the smallest of lifes pleasures....and if you wait for bigger pleasures to feel true happiness, they will be bittersweet because they are so few and far between.....

Waiting for life to 'get better' is living in the 'meantime'...ie. I'll be happy when my job is more secure or I make more money, I'll be happy when we leave for vacation, I'll be happy when the mortgage is paid off........Don't live life in the meantime...live it in the 'moment'

This is SO true!

I've always felt like my biggest blessing in life was that I was blessed with a postive attitude. It's not something I work at, it's not something I have to force....it's just the way I've always been.

 

[poohandwendy]

Thanks DisMN, my perspective comes from my father dying suddenly at the age of 48. He always was planning his life around 'when I retire'....well, that day never came for him. And it may not for me or you. 15 years later I am still on a mission to enjoy every single day, the good, the bad, the ugly. There is always something that can be seen as a good thing, a smile, a friendly act of kindness....

I refuse to wait for retirement...my 'retirement' will be similar to my fathers, although he had no idea...it will be the day I die. Until then, I make it my job to enjoy my life, it's a pretty decent way to earn a living.

(and like you Bet, I also was blessed with a positive attitude, but after my father died, I made a pact with myself to NOT allow the pressures of adult life to break my positive spirit)

 

[JerseyJanice]

So true, Patti! (Or DisMN or HMG, LOL!)

I've been liking a lot of what our friend Pooh-and-Wendy has to say here on the DIS. She seems like an insightful person (and I'm wishing your doggie Grover well too, P&W).

Regardless, I can't figure out some folks on this site. Are Jenny and this Eeyore person talking about me or someone else on this thread?

If it's me, I extend my apologies for bragging; I didn't mean it to come out that way. I meant it as a rejoice after receiving good news earlier this evening.

And yes, folks, it's all how you look at things.

For example, I lost a dear, beloved cousin (two years younger than myself) this past February. Totally out of the blue. She was gone in an instant from a heart condition we didn't know she had. An absolutely beautiful, wonderful, young woman who had everything in the world to live for.

So if I'm giddy over a few days down the shore or the fact that we're doing well financially right now, forgive me for bragging.

Life is so precious, and I am grateful for every happy moment in it. We all should be. You never know when it might slip away from you.

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by Crankyshank
IMHO, the more people brag about how great their life is, the more miserable they truly are.

I agree with this sentiment but only really for people who TRULY brag. I'm not saying that people who post on a question about whether you are truly happy are bragging when they say they are happy, btw. People who are truly happy don't have to talk about how incredibly happy they are and how perfect their lives are with every breath they take... they just are happy and you know they are happy when you are around them. Some people spend a heck of a lot more time talking about how deliriously happy they are than acting like they are happy. I know a few people who do this constantly and upon getting to know them better, it's because they have this need to make the world believe that they are happier than they are... it almost seems like a competition thing. BTW, I am not talking about anyone on here... I don't know anyone here well enough to make that call. I'm talking about in general.

As far as whether I am happy, I think I am. Like most people we've had some rough times but I try to focus more on the positive. It was really tough to watch our house down payment go poof with Enron (DH used to work there) while RE prices rose astronomically while we rebuilt that portion of our savings, but at the time I just reminded myself that at least we WERE young and we COULD rebuild and tried to feel grateful for that. Since then we looked much further north than we thought we would and found the absolute perfect house for us, so I guess I believe that was our karmic reward for having a good attitude and not feeling sorry for ourselves.

I'm lucky to be married to my best friend and the love of my life, I'm SOOO happy to be back "home" in NY and near family and friends. Even though my grandmother (with whom I am VERY close) is really not doing well at 87, I am so incredibly grateful that I am close enough to spend more time with her and help cheer her up when she's not feeling well (has been dealing with rheumatoid arthritis for 70 years at this point so she is often in a lot of pain). I'm happy to be given the opportunity to make the most out of whatever time she has left although I'm terrified of losing her.

I think if life were completely perfect and there were no challenges, I'd be bored .

 

[poohandwendy]

People who are truly happy don't have to talk about how incredibly happy they are and how perfect their lives are with every breath they take... they just are happy and you know they are happy when you are around them. Some people spend a heck of a lot more time talking about how deliriously happy they are than acting like they are happy. I know a few people who do this constantly and upon getting to know them better, it's because they have this need to make the world believe that they are happier than they are... it almost seems like a competition thing.

There really is no competition until others join the game.

 

[poohandwendy]

I've been liking a lot of what our friend Pooh-and-Wendy has to say here on the DIS. She seems like an insightful person (and I'm wishing your doggie Grover well too, P&W).

Thanks JJ...now see, here is an example...act of kindness that made me feel good...happy day

 

[DisMN]

Originally posted by Lisa F

I think if life were completely perfect and there were no challenges, I'd be bored .

You bring up a good point.

Life is a constant challenge and I get a bit of satisfaction from knowing I can probably weather the storms. I'm not sure I'd want my life to be TOO perfect.......it WOULD be boring! LOL

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by poohandwendy
There really is no competition until others join the game.

If you're implying that I'm competing, I guess that's why I said it ALMOST seems like a competition thing. Almost because, well, I don't compete. I am happy when my friends are happy but I'm sad for friends who are not really happy but work hard to try to convince others that they are. I don't spend a heck of a lot of time trying to figure out who is genuinely happy and who is not but most of the time it's pretty obvious and I've definitely noticed a correlation between those who brag about how happy they are and how happy they are not. I also see a big difference between bragging and just talking about things among friends and I don't interpret everything that people share with me when they are happy about it as bragging.