Don’t expect me to list the happiest states or the least. Not for the world would I step into that argument. Probably, most of us love our home state, and we wouldn’t care where some innocuous study placed it. Besides, many of our friends live in other countries, and I wouldn’t want to leave them out.
However, I can use generalizations and discuss the five types of Well-Being the study used.
1. Overall evaluation of your life.
2. Emotional Health
3. Physical health
4. Healthy behaviors or life-styles
5. Job satisfaction.
You could rate yourself using these five elements. On a scale of one to five, how would you rate yourself—living in the “state” or state you do.
For me, my overall evaluation of my life would be a five. Emotional health, oh, 4.5. (I do worry and fume and fuss over things I cannot control.) Physical health, probably a 4, simply because I’m not 21 anymore and do have a few tiny health issues I can easily control. Healthy behaviors or life-styles, definitely a five. I don’t smoke and never have, I’m not an addictive personality to anything, I eat healthy so that my lab tests always get a happy face (really, my doctor draws a happy face on my lab sheets), and I get moderate exercise. Job satisfaction? I’m retired and happily so. But when I did work, I’d give myself another five. In total, I am a rather happy person.
Right now, I’m reading a novel by Emilie Richards titled “Happiness Key.” I love her books, and this one is about four women living in concrete block ramshackle cabins on a spit of land in Florida called Happiness Key. One owns the cabins, and has fallen from a wealthy life when her husband went to prison; one is a foreigner who finds herself married to a man she doesn’t know; one is a middle-aged woman who yearns for her husband who pays her no mind, so she finds one who will; and one is an older woman who has become forgetful and sad. They come together to solve a problem.
The best point about this novel is the character-building Emilie Richards so capably weaves. I want to keep reading, not to find out how the problem is solved, but to learn how each of these women find happiness.
How do you find your happiness? Surely, it’s not because you live in Vermont, or California, or Utah. Each of us is different, yet all the same. Women in a world of men, finding our own way.
Keep writing. Much of my happiness comes from writing and creating, and I’ll bet it’s the same for you.
Celia Yeary
SHOWDOWN IN SOUTHFORK: eBook available at:
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/
ALL MY HOPES AND DREAMS-a Cactus Rose—
Print and eBook available at: www.thewildrosepress.com
www.celiayeary.com
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Celia! I very much think where you live affects you. For instance, while growing up, I knew that I wasn't where I was meant to be. Odd feeling and I'd love to hear from others who felt the same. After living in so many places, I know I was deeply affected by each, for better or worse.
ReplyDeleteMy family is still there and I love to visit, but where I am now is where my soul feels at ease. And I'm happier and healthier because of it.
LORAINE--I do believe that, too. Some people can't wait to leave the place where they grew up to find their own niche, and others wouldn't dream of living someplace else. I'm so Texas-centered, I wouldn't live anyplace else. But I did live in New Mexico and Oklahoma a few years while my dh was pursing work and degrees. He wanted to try another state, and I pleaded--"Please, just take me back to Texas!" I won.Celia
ReplyDeleteHi, Celia, My happiness comes from living in the moment. I can do that no matter what state I'm in. Just stay in the present and count your blessings. But I do love a state that has four seasons.
ReplyDeleteAfter living in four different states, I know my happiness doesn't come from where I live. It comes for being satisfied that I did everything I could for my family, job and friends. It comes from seeing those I love healthy and happy.
ReplyDeleteI learned from an old friend never to consider anything permanent. If things are hunky-dory, I enjoy them but plan for a lesser future. If the moment is depressing, I keep hope that things will improve soon.
Liana--you caught the double meaning--living in the moment. Very good advice for everyone. Thanks!Celia
ReplyDeleteMONA--you have a wonderful philosophy. Probably, this comes from your international mind-set; unlike me--I have a provincial mind set, I suppose. Very good thoughts, and I thank you--Celia
ReplyDeleteGood advice, Celia and everyone.
ReplyDeleteI do find that where I live affects my well being. Sometimes the heat and oppressive humidity that never lets up gets to me. I don't like living in Florida, I miss the four seasons. I know Vermont would kill me in the winter, but I always feel happy when I am in NC. the people are nicer. It's so strange how people can be so friendly some places and unfriendly in others.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Celia!
MARY--Interesting and honest answer. Oppressive heat and humidity upset me, too. We do have some of that during the summer here, but not as bad at all as in Houston. I once answered a question on a blog--"If you could live anywhere in the world, besides your home, where would it be?" Well, I have no desire to live in a foreign country. My answer was North Carolina! Celia
ReplyDeleteI've often heard "happiness is a state of mind" but I like to think that "happiness is a state of minE".
ReplyDeleteYou can choose to be happy or sad or worried or angry or any of a dozen or more emotions. Why not choose happy and feel good about yourself? That's what I do!
Great post, Celia. Here's some thoughts:
ReplyDelete1. Overall evaluation of your life. I'm happy. I'm married to my sweetie and we're celebrating 18 years tomorrow. We've got two boys. I'm writing.
2. Emotional Health
It's okay. I give it a B. haha. My sweetie stresses me out when he's watching the boys. He has a habit of putting in his IPod headphones and tuning out instead of engaging with them.
3. Physical health
It could be better. I mean I'm okay, but I need to move more.
4. Healthy behaviors or life-styles
I need to get back to weight watchers and take off 30 pounds!
5. Job satisfaction.
Totally happy here. I go to my job to relax believe it or not.
As for the state, I've adjust to California living, but I miss New Hampshire. I'm always going to miss it.
MAGGIE--Miss Sunshine. Yes, I can see that to you "happiness is a state of minE." And it is, of course. I can't remember where you lived before you moved back to Georgia, but I know GA is home to you. Thanks for responding. Celia
ReplyDeleteSTEPH--Ditto on all your states. Except the weight. If I lost 30 pounds, you couldn't find me. That's one thing that I'm always happy about--it stays the same no matter what I do. It does shift, though!Have a great day--Celia
ReplyDeleteHi Celia, I'm late getting here. I forget to visit your blog unless you remind me, and only found this one when I came to read your announcement re Texas Writers. So please send reminders every time you post a new one and I always enjoy them. It doesn't matter very much where I am physically as I live in my head more than anyplace else. However, I do like warm climates, and beautiful scenery appeals to me (such as Califormia or Florida coasts) And clutter hinders my thought processes so I tend to de-clutter my surroundings.Thanks for making me consider a good question.
ReplyDeleteLinda