Dare to Dream discussion

What would make you happy in life? At this moment in time, in your life, what would make you happy? What are the little things that are the highlight of your day? And what's your plan to achieve that happiness?

And may the force be with you on your quest ;)

Being happy is kinda a big deal to me, because I'm not entirely sure I've ever been 'happy'. I only want two things at this moment in my life, though they're connected in a way. I just want to be happy, and to be left alone. I think I toss in the being left alone part in there because I've been living with my parents a lot longer than I wanted. Plus, the whole lack of peace and quiet, and privacy is wearing me down.

Being happy for me, I think, would involve a job I actually like for starters. Which would require going to college, and I don't think I could do that living here. I seriously doubt I could concentrate to study, and I already have a problem staying focused on anything. Which reminds me, does anyone know of a way to increase concentration and focus?

I have my daydreams of what I think would make me happy. I just want life to be simple. I'm looking for stability - I got divorced in 2010, and had to pretty much start over at age 30. I started work at Borders in July 2010 and the store closed in April 2011. My grocery store I work at (since June 2010) is currently being bought by another grocery chain and even thought they say we are not at risk of losing our jobs - it still makes us a little nervous. For a while, I didn't dare have only one job because who knows which one is going to go out of business next - during two periods last year, I was working 3 jobs at the same time, but recently I took a risk and quit the movie theater where I really dislike the management style. I want to find a stable place where I work. Maybe everything will work out alright with the Merger. Since Borders closing last year I have tried applying about 5 times at Nordstrom because they have a good reputation and were opening a store in Boulder at the same time Borders was closing - I'm interested mostly in the Stock Team more than sales & customer service. I like my current job but we are overworked, under-payed and under-staffed for the amount of work & sales we do. Maybe things will get better with the merger - that's what I'm hoping for :-)

I'm currently living in an apartment with my father. He wanted to relocate last year and it helps me save on rent, but someday I'd really like my own place.

I have a daydream of having a little place close to my work to I can just run out the door and be to work in 5 minutes. I don't want to rely on public transportation or a vehicle to get to work, especially during the winter. I never want to own another vehicle they are so expensive - you've got the initial cost & monthly payments, then there is fuel, maintenance & repair, taxes and licensing, and insurance. I am so sick of keeping a vehicle running and paying so much. I currently use my dad's truck when he's not using it, but eventually I don't want to be reliant on a vehicle. I want simplicity, that's what I want and Boulder is a great place to make this dream become reality. Too bad the rent and housing cost is so expensive, but I'll make it work :-)

I want to have me a little nature garden too :-) and I will feed the birds and invite the butterflies and lady bugs.


Until then & in the future, I get happy by experiencing the great outdoors and nature. I love the sound of birds singing, sunshine, plant life, creeks, ponds, and the paths for walking & biking throughout my city

Signs at the intersection of Boulder Multi-Use Paths.

Hmm, to me happiness isn't something to be pursued; it's something to be cherished. Peaceful evenings at home with the husband. Good books. Red wine. And burritos. Lots and lots of burritos.

As an author, the physical and mental acts of writing do not necessarily make me happy because it is strenuous and grueling work and sometimes I wonder why the heck I do what I do. But when people say that they stayed up until 4 AM reading my book because they HAD to know what was going to happen next, THEN I am happy!

Other things that make me happy are visits to Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County, Ohio; playing Apples to Apples with my family; and music.

Hmm. It sounds like such an easy question. What makes you happy? Yet, when I think about it, it isn't one certain thing, but a bunch of little things that make me happy.

Things that make me happy now are:
- reading a book cover to cover (means I have a day off! or I'm reading til 4 in the morning)
- food that was cooked for me (not much of a cooker)
- random texts from friends saying they are thinking of me
- phone calls with my sister
- being with friends that believe in and like the same things I do

I think being happy is finding joy in the things that make your day a little better. Finding the extraordinary in the mundane. We are never going to have a day where someone else's negativity doesn't come into play - unless you hide yourself away in your room.

1. My family
2. My dog
3. My books

Robin, I highly recommend that you go across the street to the Duck Pond. It's very peaceful there. Sit on the bench that faces the Flatirons and has the pond in front of you :-) Let me know if you ever want to go on hike.

1.Small tokens of affection that are unexpected. ie: my cat keychain, when you push the button the eyes light up and it meows, it worth like $2.00 but I love it and it was a gift from a friend who when she saw it thought of me.
2. snuggling with the cats.

Nora, sounds like you really love cats :-)

Why yes, I really am a crazy cat lady and proud!
:)

That's great :-) I am a crazy owl addict but I don't have any as pets (yet).

Owls are pretty cool. I think my dad's favorite bird is an owl. I remember last summer, we had some kind of owl living in the swampy area behind our house. It's some sort of protected wetlands preserve. Its not very big, maybe half an acre. He was so excited because he hadn't heard that particular owl since he was a kid living on a farm.

That is awesome :-) where I was living in 2009-10 I was near a wildlife area and we had these big trees in the backyard that an owl would often visit. The owl would sit up in the trees, hoot, and/or fly over the yard often. It was really fun.

I have 6, well four adult cats and two kittens(almost 9 months old now)
1. Stinkerlou - 12 yrs old
2. Joxer -11 yrs old
3. Ephiny - 10 yrs old
4. Koge - 8 yrs old
5. Squee - 9 mo
6. Hiei - 9 mo

We lost Xena(Stinkerlou's liter mate) a few months before we took on the kittens and Gabrielle about 4 yrs ago to a brain tumor. Yes, at one point we had 4 cats named after characters on Xena. lol

what makes me happy?

sleep,

rainy/snowy day in a dim room,it's cold, everything is quiet and peaceful, don't think about the real life,listen to the sound of the rain, warp yourself in blanket and pillows.Zzzzzzz (goodnight :3)

it's my idea of perfect relaxing moment.


====
aside from sleep.

to find and do what I really want to do
something that get me to act,to actually put my mind into it.

if I find it, I will be happy.

To find happiness, I recommend lots of Vitamin B - B6 & B12. My favorite method of Vitamin B intake is Odwalla's Blueberry B Smoothie. Be aware that taking this much vitamin B will result in florescent yellow urination, but do not be alarmed.

And in my case, severe stomach cramps. I think I have a mild form of Celiac disease, which doesn't allow your body to absorb certain B vitamins through your intestinal flora like it should.

Oh, I didn't know that :-( I don't know if I could survive with out my buddies named B.

LOL. I take a multivitamin almost every day and it has B vitamins in it, but I don't get the stomach problems from it. I figure its all in the dosage.

I just ate a milk chocolate bar with coconut filling and a glass of Odwalla's Blueberry B. I am so Happy :-)

I'm a pretty religious person, but aside from that, I try to find happiness by accepting that sometimes life bums you out, and you just have to look forward and pursue your dreams, be fearless, and maintain ambition.
I've heard that the most optimistic people are either never in the face of hardship, or always. But I think that someone can be in the middle and still have a pretty positive outlook on life.
I heard a quote once that changed my outlook on life forever.

"If you want something, go get it. Period."

So that's what makes me happy :)

Cheyla wrote: ""If you want something, go get it. Period." "

:-) Amazing!

“The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.”
― Benjamin Franklin

"The Future Begins With The Past" - Mary Chapin Carpenter

oh my gosh! i just wrote an essay with that title!

Rachelle wrote: "oh my gosh! i just wrote an essay with that title!"

Which title are your referring to?

the future begins with the past!

Rachelle wrote: "the future begins with the past!"

Do you listen to Mary Chapin Carpenter? She's my very favorite musical artist!

Here is one of my favorite songs: The Age of Miracles http://youtu.be/YSPGT0nTXyI

Kyle ~Special K: Rebel Leader~ wrote: "She's amazing, Dustin. I like her song I Am A Town."

:-) I like the way you think!

LOL!! no i havent heard her, but i will! i like country music like Josh Turner, and Dolly Parton.

Rachelle wrote: "LOL!! no i havent heard her, but i will! i like country music like Josh Turner, and Dolly Parton."

You are a smart kid :-) I have a Josh Turner CD. MCC is a bit more folksy - such great wisdom in her lyrics and that's why I love her.

Thank you, Master. :p

do you like George Strait?

I have one George Strait Album - The Road Less Traveled. I would have to say he isn't one of my very favorites but I like some of his songs :-)

http://youtu.be/E7CTNDSDK1g

my favorite Josh Turner song is Long Black Train. you?

Rachelle wrote: "my favorite Josh Turner song is Long Black Train. you?"

His voice is kinda deep. I have that album so I will listen and tell you which is my favorite :-)
..... back at you soon.

ok!

From the Long Black Train Album, I'd have to go with In My Dreams and of course this is the Dare to Dream Group :-)

http://youtu.be/nrt7XWpdkD0

I bo t think I've heard that 1.

I would love to love a job that doesn't pay peanuts and for loads of things going wrong all at once. I have been reading my whole life to escape the real world.

Jenn wrote: "I have been reading my whole life to escape the real world."

I am an escapist myself :-)

I'm so happy right now because all is well. My new keeps on making my life unique than the day before. My family is alive and kicking (still cautious about me being in a relationship). College is still hard but the challenge is keeping me well knowledge.

My Highlights in my Day:
>Seeing my gf <3
>Eating sushi and all kinds of Japanese food
>Playing soccer and basketball with my friends
>Working at a body shop where I can be myself

I'm so happy at the moment and I wish I can freeze time so that I will always have this whenever things will go downhill.

good luck jessy :)

Do we have a thread for the obstacles that pop up on the path for happiness? Cause I need a place to vent and rant.

Nora aka Diva wrote: "I have 6, well four adult cats and two kittens(almost 9 months old now)
1. Stinkerlou - 12 yrs old
2. Joxer -11 yrs old
3. Ephiny - 10 yrs old
4. Koge - 8 yrs old
5. Squee - 9 mo
6. Hiei - 9 mo"

Holy hell, I am now down to Joxer, Koge, Hiei and Squee. Stinkerlou passed from TMB and Ephiny from liver cancer. :(

This might be a slightly incongruent note, but...

I think it's all too easy to fall into the bear trap of, "I wish I were happy." Because once we think that way, we start trying to define happiness. And happiness becomes a pursuit, something we're always reaching towards but without ever quite grasping.

But that's not how happiness should be. If we live our lives with love in our hearts and a willingness to give, and stay true to ourselves, happiness will come. We work towards success and improvement, but never joy.

Happiness isn't easy for everyone. I put the pursuit of happiness because I've never been happy in my life. I'm tired of people telling me I'm wrong for feeling the way I do. They point out things in my life or say do this or get that and you'll be happy. But that's not me. I've always been the dented up square peg trying to be shoved into the round hole by others all my life. So I started this thread to describe my pursuit, and to hear of everyone else's quests. I don't know if I will ever be "happy" by everyone elses standards, but that's okay by me.
And if you don't like that or think I'm wrong, well that's not my problem.

My fiancee and family make me happy in my life. My sense of self and relief from depression make me very happy. My pet cat, nature itself, meeting new people, profiling, doing research etc.

Right now sleepy time peach tea, Bandit and a book is what makes me happy!