On experiments with happinesses

"Excellence is often irrational, Greatness is often strange and Beauty is often odd" _ Eric Grietens, Navy Seal

Posts of happiness have always intrigued me. Here's some simple anecdotes instead.

1. The Happiness of pleasure

In this day and age 90% of us are programmed to think that this is an iPhone 6s or a pricey condo by the beach.

On the other extreme there are P.O.W's in camps who fall in love with apple cores because it's their only ration for the day. 

The upside of this contrast is that the happiness of pleasure is contextual and gets sweeter as we get comfortable being uncomfortable.

This is where I first made headway.

I gave up sugar for 6 days a week. 

On the seven day, I'd binge. I'd appreciate it so much more.

As simple as that.

2. The happiness of grace

This one's tricky. It has much to do with going beyond the ego and genuinely saying "Thank you".

 I started at Brett and Kate Mc'Kay article on the benefits of giving away money.

There are various charities that aid to this. Most of them are crooks.

I gave away a few things to people who responded to my online classifieds.

I can't wrap words around the feeling I felt at the moment. It's something like being content after a good meal. Except that it stays for much much longer.

As simple as that. 

3. The happiness of excellence

I left this at the end because we're all professionals here and know excellence. 

At least, the excellence our careers demand of us. 

Most of us pre determine this and set aims, aspirations, destinations. Then we work toward results. 

But the real world is ever changing and never accommodates a constant aim, aspiration, destination as it is. 

I worked my ass to take six months off work. Only to realize that I was happiest when I was in Iraq, my mind and body stretched in activity to achieve something. 

Joy is more so a byproduct of activity than it is of results.

... As simple as that. 

Thanks,

-Yasin