The Potential for Happiness

I do at least one on-line search a day – if not more. Sometimes I visit the Google search page and just stare at the white box until I can come up with something.  It really doesn’t matter what it is – I just like seeing where it will lead.  You just plug in a few words, press the button and wait for the answers to questions you didn’t even know you were going to ask.

I love it.

Tonight was no exception.

My key word of the day: happiness.

And as I typed in the word ‘happiness’ others filled in as suggestions.  One of the choices was ‘happiness project’.  That sounded interesting.

Happiness Project happens to be a blog by Gretchen Rubin, who happens to have written a book by the same name.  While visiting her blog I noticed she has just published another book – called Happier at Home.  I decided to read about the book on Amazon to get more information.  One of the great things about Amazon is that you get a fairly nice preview of books if you choose the ‘Click to Look Inside’ option – which I ALWAYS do.

While reading about the book she mentions a quote by William Butler Yeats and it really hit home with me.  It reads:

Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure; not this thing nor that, but simply growth.  We are happy when we are growing.

Research supports his observation.  Its not goal attainment, but the process of striving after goalsthat is growththat brings happiness.

—–

This is so true.

Think about the times you’ve been the most excited about something – maybe its when you’re planning that big vacation…or decorating for the holidays, or when you’re learning about a new hobby…or preparing for a big move…its the not knowing that is important – because it holds so much potential.

And when there’s potential – there is everything. 

Cool Stuff to Know, Inspiration, Mindfulness , finding happiness, Gretchen Rubin, Happier at Home, happiness, how to find happiness, important words, observations on happiness, potential for happiness, quote about happiness, quote by yeats, Rubin happiness, The Happiness Project, william butler yeats 5 Comments

5 thoughts on “The Potential for Happiness

  1. Thanks – I think you may have crystallized some thoughts for me! 🙂

    Reply
  2. One of my favorite songs: Happy happy joy joy by Ren and Stimpy.
    I miss you, friend.

    Reply
  3. Great post!

    Reply

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