Is it enough to be happy?

In one of the six million books I have read, I remember reading a section about why you should never say that "being happy" is your goal. This resonated with me, as it is probably the number one response I would give to that question, or any other like it.

The next question is, why? Why can you not say that your goal is to be happy?

Happiness is too fluid. It's not tied to something larger. It can come and go, and the smallest of events can affect it. Happiness can be as minor as being in a good mood, or being involved with something that makes you smile. Another person can make you happy. Another person can make you unhappy.

We want a job that makes us happy. We want a lifestyle that makes us "happy." We all want life to be fun, as stress-free as possible, and ultimately, happy.

I worked from home today, which is quite possibly my favorite type of schedule. I was able to sleep in, and still started my work day earlier than I normally do. I went for a two and a half mile run on the beach this morning, and captured the essence of an absolutely heavenly day, weatherwise. It's Friday, and that needs no explanation for adding to my happiness. I have some fun weekend plans with friends, and I get to spend Monday working at a golf tournament. I drove with the windows down and the roof open today. Life feels good; life is "happy."

But I'm not fulfilled.

That's where difference lies. You can be extremely happy, but know that ultimately, something major is missing and your life is lacking fulfillment at that time. Fulfillment comes in many forms. While I can say that my job is theoretically "fulfilling," it doesn't always go hand in hand with my being happy.

Fulfillment often indicates a purpose; you feel purposeful in your actions and therefore, generally feel happy. Fulfillment is more solid than happiness, less likely to sway with the events of the day.

I can't knock being happy. There are many days that I can't come up with legitimate reasons to be happy. I can think of reasons to be grateful, but gratefulness doesn't have to translate to happiness. And sadly, happiness isn't as good when it's not tempered with fulfillment.

There's something to be said for wanting it all. I suppose that's why we have goals, and a better goal is to be fulfilled, than just happy.

The Onset of Fall

I discovered this morning that the world actually happens before 9 a.m. on the weekend. I cannot remember the last time I was actually up, moving, and out of the house before 9 in the morning on a Sunday. My first realization when I walked out of my apartment was wow, it's cold. Fall is almost officially here, and I'm definitely not ready for it.

I'm not going to lie - looking out the window, it's a perfectly beautiful day. I should go for a run, or at the very least, throw on a sweatshirt and sit on the beach. I have my windows open, but still, watching the blue sky and feeling the air from indoors shouldn't be enough.

I miss fall in Charleston. Fall in Charleston is mostly days like today. I am defiant against appreciating Fall in New York, because winter has a tendency to sneak up out of nowhere. Once that happens, it's nothing but wearing too many layers of clothes and counting the weeks until I can take vacations elsewhere.

I spend at least eight months of the year waiting for summer here.

It's been an odd couple of weeks in my world...life has been turning upside down on an almost daily basis. Some days, the upside down is a good thing. It's an unexpected surprise, something that makes me happy. Those are the days that I go into work the next morning with a smile on my face, and nothing can bother me. Then there are the days that my world turns over again, and everything feels a little more empty.

Is it worth it to have that transient kind of sudden happiness? The fleeting kind that can and will disappear as soon as you blink? Or not...

This week, I'm voting "not."

"Do you lie awake and wonder why?
Is it always the same thing or is this just a new dream that's keeping you up at night"
- "First Week"
Graham Colton Band