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Happiness is . . . . . ?
As we finish what is for many of us, the seventh week of Social Distancing and Isolation, I’ve noticed that the edges are beginning to fray a bit. People are making comments like: I feel lethargic, I’m getting bored, I miss my (fill in whichever friend, family member, or social group applies), I’m worried about my finances, my children and the future. Many of us are starting to feel depressed – maybe not clinically but certainly more and more people are reporting feeling the blues.
Some of us are not happy during this pandemic! It is interesting that any credible study done to measure people’s happiness highlights that happiness has no correlation to our economic status, consumer goods, family situation, health, gender, culture or any of the many things that our consumer/advertising society would have us believe will result in happiness. Sorry, it doesn’t matter what car you drive, what beer you drink, or what label your clothes have – much as WalMart and Hallmark would have us believe differently – none of those things result in happiness.
What does have a positive correlation to happiness is cultivating a sense of gratitude. Studies find that people suffering from poverty, and even people at end of life that can be thankful for those small things that enhance their life, report higher levels of well being, contentment and yes; happiness! Mary Jo Leddy wrote a book on gratitude and claims that cultivating a sense of thankfulness and gratitude can be one of the most transformative things to make a positive difference in our life.
I don’t write a gratitude journal, but most mornings I start my day with a coffee, during a time of quiet, often seeing the sun rise over the Salish Sea from our front window or deck. And as part of my meditation/prayer practise I try and name some of the things I am grateful for. And in these times:
• My children/grandchilden and my mother are safe and I can connect with them on the phone
• I have Carol as part of my life
• Friends and extended family that reach out via the phone
• Many opportunities to walk and experience nature on the Island
• Good coffee in the morning and a glass of wine before dinner
• A yard to work in
• Good access to groceries and Carol is an awesome cook
• Connecting with my church family via Zoom and phone
• Still have an opportunity to worship thanks to the internet.
• Hate to admit it but NetFlix.
• It goes on and on
I could make an even longer list of all the things I miss and can’t do but God reminds us that the past is finished, the future has not yet arrived and we only have this moment. And although it was sometimes easier before COVID 19, I choose to be grateful for this time and place and the many blessings that surround us. And I am pretty happy. It brings to mind Psalm 100 – “Make a Joyful Noise.”
If you’re struggling during these Pandemic times, try a prayer of gratitude or start a gratitude journal. Remember that even though we may have challenges and struggles in our life, in many ways we are truly blessed to have Comox United as our faith family, to live in Canada and to know that as Children of God – we are loved and we are not alone!
Praise be to God!
Wayne