How do you know you’re happy?
Happiness is something we all want for ourselves and want for others. But how do you know you’re happy?
It’s easier asked than answered.
To get warmed up for this week’s journal prompt*, you might start by thinking back to a happy time in your past. With as much detail as you can remember, describe the circumstances. Where were you, who was there, what you were doing, what you were accomplishing, how did you generally feel when you woke up or went to bed at night, what challenges you were facing, how did you overcome them?
(I mention challenges because happy times aren’t typically problem-free but instead a sense that we’re managing them well.)
With this benefit of hindsight, how do you know you were happy?
Knowing we all change, what same or similar conditions might make you happy now?
And are there any other words besides “happy” that would describe this desired state?
Hint: The more specific you are with each question, the more useful the exercise.
Happy writing!
“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.”
