Thursday 18 June 2020

Happiness



It seems to me everyone is in pursuit of happiness to the detriment of everyone else. "As long as I'm happy then that's OK" seems to be the unspoken motto imprinted on some peoples' minds.

But what is happiness? And how long does it last? Once you have happiness does it stay with you for ever? Or does it run out like the last drop of coffee in your cup?

Remembering my managerial days at work, I recall that happiness is a transient state of being. If an employee is, (or believes), he is not well paid he would be unhappy. He may demand more money; or even strike with other employees and bring the work to a stand-still.

If he is then given more money commensurate with what he feels he is entitled he is no longer unhappy. But that does not necessarily, or always, mean that he is happy. He may remain in this state of being no longer unhappy until such a time when he desires more remuneration; at which point he would revert to being unhappy and start the process all over again.

So it could be said that happiness is a state of not being unhappy, and it comes and goes for varying periods of time depending on the circumstances and the individual involved.

In other words, happiness is different things to different people.

For me, happiness is waking up in the morning and finding there is no one else sleeping in the park bench beside me. I often lose my way home when I've been out with friends to the pub late at night. So we walk to each other's homes and drop each one to his home in turn. I'm often the last one to get home, and I lose my way, and end up in the park.

Happiness to a Catholic like me is a resisted temptation. But then, also when yielded to, it gives greater happiness.

Happiness to me is getting home and finding a piece of cheese in the mousetrap. This is double happiness because it means we have no mice. And also I can have some cheese and biscuits for supper.

The other day I experienced a lack of happiness when I caught my tongue in the mousetrap as I was licking the remainder of some Brie or Camembert. We use expensive cheese in our traps to attract a higher class of mice. None of those common riff-raff mice around here.

Happiness to some is being recognised, loved and appreciated. The other day a man in the street recognised me. This did not make me happy because I did not recognise him. He said, "Don't you remember me?"

I looked at his face for a while, then looked at the pretty lady he was with for a longer while, but still did not recognise her. There was something vaguely familiar about her curves, but I could not put my finger on it in case he hit me.

He interrupted my admiration and said, "Do you still not recognise me?"

I replied, "I make a point of never forgetting a name or a face. But in your case I'll make an exception. Who are you?"

He said, "I'm the plumber who fixed the leek in your house three years ago! Don't you recognise my face?"

I replied, "When you look at the mirror every morning, you see your face and you recognise it. But when I look at the mirror every morning, I don't see your face. How do you expect me to recognise you? I remember the bill you sent me though!"

I doubt he was happy after that. And neither was I, remembering how much I paid him to fix the leek.

People say money can't buy happiness; but I guess it can rent it for a while. Does love bring one happiness? I tell you, happiness is when you marry a beautiful woman and then discover she has money too.

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family, that lives in another town far away.

Happiness is getting home and not finding a broomstick in the lounge; and mother-in-law is not here.

Happiness is the interval between disappointments.

Happiness is when your dentist says it won't hurt, then he cuts his hand on the drill.

I never really knew what happiness is until I got married; by then it was too late! (I hope she's not reading this).

I'd better stop here ... but why don't you join me in a song about happiness.

24 comments:

  1. Happiness is a feeling you can get about yourself or for others. Happy is a great place to be.

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    1. Thank you so much for your visit today. I hope you visit often and soon, GBGV.

      God bless.

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  2. Happiness is everywhere, but it does like to hide sometimes. Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

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    1. Yes, happiness is a state of mind; so we need the right state of mind to find it.

      See you here again soon Brian. God bless.

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  3. Happiness is having friends on Blogspot like you Victor.
    A dear person who is funny and wise and one who loves God.

    Thank you for just being you...and stop sleeping on park benches, you'll get a bad back!

    God's Blessings My Friend 🍷☕

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    1. It's great to have met you on Blogland, Jan. You're a good friend. Since I started blogging I met many kind people not just through our blogs but also by e-mailing each other.

      I'm so grateful, and happy, that you enjoy my writings Jan.

      God bless always.

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  4. I'm happy about being happy! It's good for your mind and your health but there is unfortunately some down times but hopefully you can work through them and be happy about it. I'm happy to leave this comment on your blog too. :)

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    1. Thank you Bill. I am very happy to receive your comments and that of other readers too. I'm very grateful to all those who take the time to write in; even if they sometimes don't agree with what I say. My statistics show that quite a number visit here but do not comment. Which makes your comments, and that of others, all the most precious to me. Thank you.

      God bless you always.

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  5. Singing along! … with vigor. (*smile*)

    I believe happiness is a choice we make. We can either choose gloom or doom or we can choose to keep happiness in our hearts, come what may. We can either allow our circumstances to define us or let them strengthen us.
    Here's a song for you! ….. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!"

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    1. Yes I believe you're right, Mevely. Happiness is a choice we make and a state of mind. I know an elderly man who suffers from many many illnesses and is often in real pain. Yet, somehow he is always happy and at peace. I admire that. I cannot possibly be the same . Too weak!

      God bless you, Mevely.

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  6. We may not be happy all the time, Victor, but we can always have joy in Jesus. Thanks for the laughs today!
    Blessings!

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  7. Abraham Lincoln said "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." I try to keep my mind on the sunny side of the street.

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  8. I always enjoy the song about happiness.
    Thank you Victor :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. It's great to see you visiting here again, Jan. This song always reminds me, again, of Ken Dodd. I remember seeing him live on stage.

      God bless.

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  9. Happiness can change with our circumstances but JOY is a peace that only Jesus gives us.

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  10. Visiting your blog makes me happy, Victor:) And thanks for including the song by Father Francis. He sounds happy, too!

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    1. Thank you for visiting me again and making me happy, Chris. Thank you for your talents which you share on your blog.

      The song Happiness was made famous by an English comedian called Ken Dodd. He died in 2018 aged 90. I remember seeing him live on stage. What a talent he had.

      I have known Fr Francis for many years. He sings in malls and bus stations as well as in small venues to raise money for the poor. He has raised over £1m over the years. He is at: http://fatherfrancismaple.co.uk/ where he publishes a sermon every day.

      God bless you, Chris.

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  11. Happiness is a good night's sleep! And then waking up to a hot cup of coffee.

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    1. Agreed, Manny. Also, happiness is seeing you visiting here more often.

      God bless you.

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  12. Go for joy and contentment instead!

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God bless you.