Simple Things and Happiness

What makes you happy?

This morning I am sitting on the deck with my Ethiopian coffee and enjoying the sounds of the many birds that make their homes around the house. I hear some hammering in the distance and think that somebody in a nearby neighborhood is getting a new roof. I can also hear traffic from the nearby highway, but I am often surprised at how muted the traffic noise has become. Maybe I've just trained my brain to tune it out and listen to the birds. (I am currently downloading an app to identify the birds sounds.)

This really is a wonderful place to spend time. I will be out here for many hours during the spring, summer, and fall. It really doesn't take much to make me happy. 

It's funny, but verbalizing that -- It really doesn't take much to make me happy -- makes me pause and realize just how much I truly have.

We have a home, a very nice home.
We live in a rural neighborhood that is far enough away from towns and cities to be relatively quiet, yet close enough to have access to urban amenities.
We have clean water to drink and plenty of food and the means to prepare it at home, but also the means to eat out pretty much as often as we like. We generally eat better when we prepare our own meals and it definitely costs less, but...
We have multiple vehicles for transportation.
We have smart phones, internet access, and several smart TVs to access information (and misinformation) from around the world.
We have a lot.
I'm sure I would be happy with less, but I am also happy that I don't have to find out for sure right now.

It probably isn't fair to say that it doesn't take much to make me happy when I really do have so very much. Neither is it fair to say I enjoy a simple life when that simple life is a product of much work, some planning, and a lot of luck.

Nevertheless, I am happy that I don't have to be busy or always doing things to feel like my life is worthwhile or valuable, nor do I need the affirmation or approval of someone else.
Maybe life isn't so simple. Maybe I just cope well with the complexities of life and that makes it feel simple.
I don't know.
What do you think?

John


We have