Happiness. Such a simple word, but such a difficult thing to find for so many people. I had the opportunity this semester to take a creative writing class that, surprisingly, taught me more than just techniques to become a better writer. On the last day of class my professor lectured us not on being successful and rich because of our writing, but on finding happiness. He talked about a man, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (I know crazy name), who went all over the world searching for the key to happiness and then wrote a book called "Flow". What he found was surprising. Those who should be happy because of riches or success often weren't. Those who shouldn't be happy because of poverty and trials were. Before jumping to the conclusion that you have to be poor in order to be happy Mihaly also said there were hundreds of people in between that were exceptions to these findings.
So what's the point? If there are hundreds of exceptions maybe there isn't a one sure way to happiness. Yet, Mihaly believed the key was actually work. You strive toward a goal that will not just be for you, but for the greater good. It can't be an easy goal, either, it has to stretch you to your limits. You find happiness in living not just for yourself, but to benefit those around you.
This made me think of missionaries. Almost any missionary you talk to will often say that they loved their mission, but in the same sentence they will probably say it was the hardest two years of their life. My conclusion from this is that Mihaly was right. These missionaries were constantly striving to help those around them come to know of the love of their Heavenly Father and it was hard. But because it was hard they truly appreciated the work and joy that came from their efforts. They reached true happiness. Quoting Mihaly, "The best moments usually occur when a persons body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile." So in a sense everyone has the key to happiness, we just need to do the work and turn it.
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2 comments:
words of wisdom!!!
Yay for updating your blog! I've said this before, but you should update more :)
Loved this post. I've thought about this exact thing about happiness this semester. Rewards are not free. If you want to earn or gain something you have to work for it. Happiness works the same way. People aren't just happy, they do things that bring them happiness. Thanks McKayla :)
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