Fun and Happiness?

 Paint Party Friday

These three friends are all pretty unique in flavour

I feel like a hostage to creating these Happy Tiler peeps!

Truly they are nothing special...they just appear.

Even when I try to deviate by creating something else 

they call on me to return! There are three to a page in

my art journal and each page has a bit of a story! 

I photograph them,  digitally cut them out and 

mount them on a digital background! I am showing 

six but there are so many! Each so individual!

I'm just going with it to see where it takes me!

This is Gay she is still cold even though it's spring

  Recently as I peruse social media many bits of

seeming perfection and fun pop out at me!

As I scan the photos I wonder if they are truly happy!

Over the years I have seen many folks filling up on material

items and lavish events and I wonder if that sustains happiness

in their world. Upon inquiry, and over time I realize it's only

fun but doesn't always measure the contented soul.

Or true happiness!

Guy has always hated his name and his nose!

Fun can be a fleeting moment of happiness, sure!

However if happiness isn't at the foundation of

who you are then nothing  can truly be fun enough,

can it?

Kelsey is a dancer but feels she will never attain her dreams

So many people today are chasing fun. Each of us has our

own measure  of fun. For some it may be hiking in a desert, 

which would be my nightmare. Add an "S" to that desert,  

make it a dessert, at a quaint cafe with a side of intimate

 conversation along with a coffee, and I'm all in! 

My kind of fun/bliss! Scrabble too!

Brandon is quirky and happy always looks for something new to learn

Everyone enjoys different types of fun!

Years ago I gravitated to the beach, 

  lake or ocean, it was my momentary fun,

 but more it was a comfort, a place

of solace when life wasn't the happiest! 

For me water was always a conduit to 

spiritual awakening!  

Corey loves solitude and books

 Can you truly have fun when you aren't happy?

I think you can, but it's a quick fix, a momentary high,

a diversion.  It can't sustain joy or that content 

feeling like true happiness does!

Johnson is a creative peaceful soul who writes poetry

 I love the quote, " Do more of what makes you happy!"

I think the distinction between happy and fun would 

needs to be defined to make that happen! 

If you're happy when your kids are around and

they're always joking and laughing then it's fun.

However if they like to argue and fight that"s not

so fun, but having them around makes you

 happy anyway! In that case happiness would

 be your foundation to endure that!

These three hang together and all have low self-esteem

I still believe  happiness can't be found in other people,

or things, or fun,  it truly is a choice. I wasn't always happy.

It wasn't until I truly found what I love to do, and found

joy in the small everyday things that I found how to feel

happiness! It doesn't mean there aren't unhappy times.

There are...but when happiness is your foundation

it's easier to endure the hardships!

Do you need fun to feel happy? 

What is your favourite kind of fun?

Knowing your Passion

Paint Party Friday

Casey painted then mounted on a digital background

 There was a time when having a diesel vehicle was a form of 

success, we had a sports car then too!  If you lived within a five

 mile radius of where you worked you were also successful.

Trudy

 If you had a certain education you were successful. If you had a 

home with property you were successful. There have been

 so many measures of success at different intervals in my life.....

but it didn't necessarily  mean you were happy! 

I lived in neighborhoods of the highest echelon and 

still people were so terribly dysfunctional and unhappy!

Secretary

 Happiness is so subjective.  Having a passion for something

 seems to be key! For some it's fitness, or gardening, or 

creativity, for others it could be  volunteering, or doing for others.

 We all have things that truly make us happy.  How often do

 you ask yourself what that is? I think it really changes over the 

years according to our needs and interests.

Carol-Ann

 I'm not naive, of course there are many things beyond our control that disrupt

our life, make us unhappy and worried. When life is tough and full of angst

knowing our true passion makes it so much easier 

 anchor us back into happiness. Our passion  can distract us,

comfort us and  be a great source of solace in times of greif.

Reworked from last week...mirror...or twins?

Over the years my world has become smaller. My focus more narrow,

  but my passion for being creative is at the forefront. Even when

I'm creatively stagnant I am waiting for the next creative fix to hit!

   If you asked me why, I could never explain it!

It's a mystery why each of us enjoy different things!

Office Girl so many of these characters are coming to light

Could be conditioning, could be environment, could be innate.

It's hard to say but it is key to feeling content, fulfilled, 

and happy.... after your  initial needs are met of course!

Rain Girl

 The new gauge for success truly is happiness... 

because really, without it, what use is the rest. 

Working girls

 Name a few things that truly make  you happy?

The office Girls

 What do you feel excited to get up for everyday?

Aristotle
Happiness is an expression of the soul in considered actions.

 Burton Hills
Happiness is not a destination. It is a method of life.

 Aristotle
To live happily is an inward power of the soul.

Happiness Paint Party Friday

Paint Party Friday

Show your Face Friday

Original acrylic Sammy-lu

I saw this happiness experts on tv today! Funny how blog posts

can change at a moments notice!! Since this gal  Sammy-Lu

 looks pretty happy I thought it may be a good subject to write about!

 What a great way to go into the New Year, even when you're not quite

sure what the future holds!

Personally I've always thought happiness was a choice!
Apparently fifty percent of it is! A very small percentage is
circumstances and the rest is innate!! Who knew!

I was not a happy child. I felt lonely and sad a lot of

the time!! My best  times where when I had my dads

 undivided attention! Or when I was active rollerskating,

riding my bike, or playing baseball. I also loved being left alone 

with my brother we had a lot of fun together. We were so close

we  often  hid the belt when mom threatened to use it! I felt 

overworked  and picked on most of my childhood! 

Truly as I look back I was!

 I found a lot of solace just being alone, and I still do!

Original pink toadie done for a friend... couldn't reveal it until now!

I can't say I was totally unhappy when I was married

because at least I felt free to make my own choices!

For a time I was free of criticism, and judgement!

 Even though I had many lonely moments being 

married I chose to  find bits of happiness in doing 

things I loved!!

 I was pretty social when I was young and often the life of a party!
My spouse wasn't! So I went out with different friends!
As a true homebody I also found joy in doing things around
my home, decorating, crafts, cooking... I always had a 
new project on the go! I can't say I was ever bored!

 The expert suggests smiling as a way

to prompt happiness. When you smile it activates  two 

muscles  in your face that actually send a message to

 your body  to be happy! So in this case you can

fake it until you make it! Personally I'd rather

watch the comedy channel!! I'm not good

at being fake!

I love laughing. I will turn the comedy channel on
for background noise hoping to get a laugh or two
on my own! I also sit in complete silence most of the time
listening to the click of the keyboard, awaiting creative moments!
Years ago when I awoke the music went on. For decades
music filled my life. It still does, but in a different way now!
 

Digital colour edits!

Beardo's family are a group who smile constantly.

It starts with the mom who always greets you with a
smile as though thrilled to see you! Her life  hasn't been
 easy but she is grateful  for everything and works so hard for
 her family! I've watched her turn a surly grandchild's attitude
 around  by telling them to smile! 

Circumstances can make you very unhappy.
Especially when you are worried about family,
bills,health, or if you're grieving a loss of any
kind!! Amongst that are moments of joy to
be had. I remember having a big laugh on
an elevator when my mom was dying... 
As a mother I would want my kids to have loads
of laughs under difficult circumstances!!
Some may see it as disrespect, where I
see it as soul healing!! No parent 
wants to see their children sad!

 I've watched Cupcake take a bad circumstance
and barrel through it by being as positive as she can.
Being grateful helps move you towards happiness during
tough times. Seeing all that you have, appreciating every
little things...not taking anything for granted really
makes you feel fortunate. While mom was dying
I remember focusing on a dandelion (which is a 
annoying weed in these parts) and thinking wow
how beautiful, at least it's alive!!
It gave me a new perspective.

Being generous is also a way to find happiness. When you give 
it makes you feel good, and it makes the receiver feel good, which
in turn makes you feel good again!! Usually those feelings
spread outwards!!

Even when I worry, go through rough patches, feel sad 
moments I always manage to find happiness at my core!!
Being and feeling a deep gratitude for what I have grows
my happiness!! Next monday is suppose to be blue monday
where people get credit card statements, and feelings
of regret are manifested, sadness is elevated!!
Even though it may prove to be a difficult day for many
I plan to choose to be happy like I  do everyday....even when
I lose my blog posts!! These are just glitches they
don't define my happiness!!  Maybe we should turn the
tables on  a predicted bad day and refuse to let it 
get us down, by celebrating it with something wonderful!
I choose to be happy how about you?


 What  could do to elevate more happiness in your life?

This post isn't meant in any way  to  diminish those suffering with  mental illness  I understand there are those who may need a lot of  help to elevate from their funk!