3: What makes you Happy?

This week has been filled with conversations- friends, colleagues, loved ones, family. Earlier this week, I had completed a first draft, ready to proof read, edit and polish today.

And today, with one of the first crisper, autumn snaps of cold, I had a slow, meditative morning- coffee and a book. Topped the morning off with a three-hour phone call, to one of my dearest friends in Canada.

The conversations I have had this week have ranged from architectural practice, business development, further life plans, housing, family, further studies- enough to have my brain in whiplash.

Today though, my friend asked me what a colleague had asked her, and everyone in her workplace lunchroom. Not many could answer. What makes you happy?

I jotted down a quick list as she spoke:

• Plants

• People

• Waking up next to someone I love

• Laughter

• Good coffee- by myself, in a café

• Getting lost in a book

• Dogs

• Slow mornings

• Good friends

• Stars at night, outside

• Travelling lightly- simpler.

• Sleep Ins

• A comfy bed

The list made me smile- it’s all little things, but every day, they make for a beautiful, happy life*.

And when I need reminding, I have a folder on my computer called “smiles”- one of my favourite images below:

Source: @Aliciaherber/buzzfeed

There are points in life that have challenged me more than others and made me critically reflect on myself far more deeply that in everyday life. These points have allowed me to answer the question of what makes me happy. Most recently, these periods have been on university exchange, and in the remote town of Weilmoringle- on an elective subject. I look forward to reflecting on these adventures in upcoming blogs.

Circling back, that is the goal- continue to enjoy those little things, practice and appreciate them every day, and be happy. It would be incredible to continue to develop professionally to have my career fit into these just as much, allowing the peace and contentment that these provide.

One of my favourite quotes, which popped back into mind after the phone call today: “When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” John Lennon.

Until next week!

AP

 *Note: I don’t believe that a happy life means constant unicorns and rainbows. To me, it is a balance of bad times with the good. It tends to be the littlest things that serve as personal reminders of the goodness in the world. There are days that the goodness can be difficult to find, like when it’s -11 degrees in Germany and you have socks for the Australian climate, are lost outside, have a dead phone, and no idea where you are or what you’re doing with yourself- a story for another day.