Happiness Project

I came across Alex Shalman's blog about a week ago via John Chow dot Com and I was intrigued by his post on "The Happiness Project". If you would like to participate, the guidelines are posted here - Happiness: The Group Writing Project. Basically, you answer the questions on your blog, and let him know. He links back to your post. I'll do the same here for anyone else who wants to participate.

Here are my thoughts...

How do I define happiness?

Contentment - not wishing I was somewhere else, with someone else, doing something else

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your happiness now, versus when you were a child?

8 to 9 - probably about the same as when I was a child. In between childhood and 13 years ago, probably a 5 due to some events in my life. My mom became very ill when I was 11 and died when I was 18. I then married someone who turned out to be a very angry, controlling person. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have put myself and my sons through so many difficult years. Thankfully, I'm now married to a wonderful, kind, supportive man.

What do you do on a daily basis that brings you happiness? (and how consistent is the feeling of happiness throughout your day)

Starting the day with 1 Year Daily Audio Bible podcast
Working out (makes a noticeable difference in my energy level and outlook on the day)
Morning coffee with my husband
Planning how I will spend my time since I'm self employed
Do things to bless and encourage others
Reading
Playing the piano
Gardening
Watching the birds and ducks in my backyard and in the pond behind my house
Learning
Writing
Going online

What things take away from your happiness?

Interruptions and distractions - especially when they cause me to change my plans - I'm not a spontaneous person.
Confrontations
Dealing with people who have unrealistic expectations of me
Dealing with my own unrealistic expectations of myself
People debating about politics
Traffic

What can be done to lessen their impact or remove them from your life?

That is a very good question. Wish I had a good answer.

What do you plan to do in the future that will bring you even more happiness.

Fill my mind and meditate on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.Be more careful what I say - then I won't have something to regret. (Philippians 4:8 The Message Bible)Simplify my life - I have a tendency to complicate things.
Do more creative activities
Be kinder to myself
Do more for others