The great 20th century philosopher Charles Shulz once said that happiness is a warm puppy. This is a topic that's been bubbling about inside of me for quite a few weeks, maybe even months and I expect there will be more.
Previously I'd commented on being grumpy. The trigger for that post had been a comment a friend had made regarding how much negativity he saw in Blogdom and I couldn't help but agree with him. Blogdrama, blogtroversy is the order of the day in so many of the blogs I've been reading. Blogs apparently provide a great platform from which to vent, let off steam, maybe save the ribs of a few puppies who might otherwise get kicked.
Is it that we thrive on negativity?
I'm not so certain. Navel-gazer that I am, I pondered this -- usually in the shower 'cuz I do my best thinking there. Here're my thoughts, for now. They're mostly unformed, and I invite anyone to add their own thoughts. Stomp on mine, or flesh them out, whatever suits you.
Disclaimer: No philosophers have been harmed in the writing of this post.
'nother disclaimer: The title of this post is misspelled on purpose.
Thinking further about what makes me feel happy:
- Feeling wanted/needed/appreciated/useful -- family/friends/job
- Access to aesthetically pleasing things -- comfort, beauty
- Consistent exposure to fun/funny things -- entertainment, pets
- Accomplishment -- am I suitably challenged and able to meet my own goals?
- Spiritual satisfaction -- am I in the right place, spiritually?
What makes me feel grumpy:
- Feeling ill
- Hormonal swings
- Overwhelming events, or too many events, the sum of which overwhelm
- Someone else's relentless melancholy/grumpiness
Thoughts, anyone?
Your comment about the hit-parade of priorities being okay seems fairly on the mark to me.
I'm usually happy at the end of the day if I've gotten through it without screwing up too badly. Maybe that accounts for my crankiness-quotient. Today's a dead loss already.
I agree with Wilson that there are natural grumps, and they'll bitch and whine no matter their circumstances, while others really can and do "make lemonade" when given lemons. Should the grumps fret? I dunno. Seems they enjoy bitching and whining, so let them do it. If they can do it in a funny or creative way, then I might listen/read. Sometimes I have no choice, if, say, I'm related to one of 'em, so in that case I might B&W about the bitching and whining.
The "problem" with Blogdom is that (1) saying "I had a nice day" isn't interesting to write or read, and (2) most people are such lousy writers that they know only how to B&W. Clever wordplay and subtle observations are beyond their abilities. It's beyond mine, too, but I have kittypix! ;)
Kittypix are cool if you're kittyfolks, no doubt about it. I disagree that subtle observations are beyond your abilities UV, I think if anything they might be outside your inclinations, but it's altogether likely that you've been writing lots of them and I've been too self-absorbed to notice.
The thing I've noticed about blogdom is that it tends to revolve around the daily news. And unless the blogger has some authentically new thoughts on the subject, it's a rehash. Most don't, really.
Zen tends to put his own perspective on things, and he digs inside himself for what he has to say. I don't keep up with many blogs. Gekko's blog is... well it's gekko's blog.
Stay well y'all.
What makes me feel grumpy:
Bunchy underwear and heat rash.
What makes me feel happy:
Knowing that you're happy, Gek!
boots: Introspectiveness, digging around inside your navel and all that appeals to some. The primary purpose of my blog is to please me. Sometimes it pleases me to examine my bellybutton spurge; more often it pleases me to be blog-lite, humorous, brief.
I like being pleased; it's one of the thingies that makes me happy! :-) :-) :-)
Lempo: sppbbbrrttt!
Geez gekko, what makes you think that my saying "Gekko's blog is... well it's gekko's blog" is a comment you need to defend against? It's not someone else's blog, there's no reason it should be like theirs in any way. It has a lizard flavor. I enjoy reading it.
Oh, now, boots. I wasn't so much defending my blog (it needs no defense, since it is for me) so much as simply adding my own perspective to your comment about the introspective nature of some blogs. I believe that piles on top of some of your earlier comments, wishing there were more depth to my blog. Sometimes there is; sometimes there isn't.
I can and do read some of the deeper, more thoughty blogs, but most of the time I can't get past the first paragraphs in them. They can have TMI, or be too much about the author's pain or personal issues. In this phase of my life I grasp for more lightness.
"In this phase of my life I grasp for more lightness"
I hope you find it, it's usually there like water around fish, but we get involved with the details of being fish and don't notice it.
"wishing there were more depth to my blog"
What I'd really like is for you to write a bestselling novel that I could read. C'mon, huh?
'Sokay, I understand about life's little phases; survive a few and get back to me, how 'bout that?
Herself sez: "Navel-gazer that I am, I pondered this -- usually in the shower 'cuz I do my best thinking there."
I'm a chronic grump. Pay sucks, but the hours are great. On the other hand, I have happy moments when the occasion warrants. F'rinstance, considering Gekko in the shower... uhmmm.... contemplating.
I'm pretty uncomplicated.
- AD -
PS: Oh, yeah, and Jack Daniels.
- AD -
PPS: And sloppy dark chocolate.
- AD -
PPPS: Or "D: All The Above". Yeah, that would be cool. Stand by, working out the details...
- AD -
'k, well, sloppy dark chocolate makes me happy.
See? My reptilian tail is twitching.
PPPPS: And twitchy tails.
- AD -
I don't know about none of that shit, but what would make me happy is if you participated in Movie Madness:The Comedies this year!