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Is Happiness Innate or Taught? Find Your Happy!

By
Real Estate Agent with John L Scott Market Center 700512026

Happy Snow Face-Gayle Rich-Boxman Copyrighted All Rights Reserved 2016

Babies are born with simple needs. Doesn't take much, usually to keep them happy. How often do you see a baby that is constantly grumpy, angry or makes lots of demands? Little kids can laugh at the silliest,  most uncomplicated moments in life. They can be joyful over one piece of candy. We will always find the exception, but let's pretend that we are talking about most, not ALL. 

So, is "happiness" a learned response or an innate one? And what happens to that basic life-sustaining emotion that makes it so difficult for some to maintain? 

I am a believer that happiness is a choice, as you get older. The yin/yang of life is that through struggle, you CAN see the joy, even in the midst of frustration, if you LOOK for it. It could be the tiniest of things. I will always do my level best to find that fragment of positivity, no matter how small because it's what keeps me going, soothes my soul and generally gives me happiness. 

Humor does this for me. Being around a funny person, a really great storyteller or watching my dogs do something that tickles me is one of those childlike happy moments that are gratifying in simply smiling, laughing. When was the last time you had a good belly laugh? Laughed so hard you cried? I just did last week with two girlfriends. Can't even recall now what it was, but I DO recall how very GOOD it felt--genuine, lively emotion that reached every part of me, including my body's reaction, with tears, brought on by laughing incredibly hard. Such a good feeling! And we shared this, the three of us! Magical connection. I will purposely visit some of my favorite humorous bloggers when I need that hit of happy. Dick Greenberg does it for me. Alan May's another one. Who are some of yours?

Rediscover the simplicity of laughter. 

Find your happy. 

Look for it. It's there. 

Then, share it. 

It's not to be squandered. 

Gayle Rich-Boxman

 

 (Remember this old commercial?? Thought this represented well what kids show us about pure joy.)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Gayle --- why not be happy?   I can't think of any reason why anyone would choose anything else.  

Jan 25, 2016 01:54 AM
Hannah Williams

Smile when you say that

Jan 25, 2016 04:35 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

Michael Jacobs I actually thought later about your sense of humor in your posts as well...sorry that I didn't include you. 

Jan 25, 2016 11:13 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

So happy to see :O) humor get a feature Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905 !! Me too, as life goes along, I definitely look for the smiles and stories. It ain't worth doing if it ain't fun, I say! And speaking of smiles, they alway's look good on you! Congrats on the feature, well deserved! Happiness is one of the best tools in life we have.

Jan 25, 2016 01:57 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

Rene Fabre you stay upbeat, even in the midst of being stuck somewhere and not getting home! I appreciate YOU greatly and don't have to have a heart-to-heart with you about your attitude. You have happiness coursing through your genes. 

Jan 25, 2016 11:15 PM
Scott Thompson
Columbia Mortgage Plus - Blue Springs, MO
Commerical Finance - Blue Springs, MO

The zen within is great but I am wondering if my happy may be in the Freanch/Swiss Alps.

Fairly certain I would rather go skiing at this point.

 

Make it a Great Day.

Jan 25, 2016 02:15 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

Well, Scott Thompson I'd say your profile pic alone offers humor right off the bat, and then your funny comment tells me you get it.  Hope you get a chance to ski soon. 

Jan 25, 2016 11:16 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

I think for me the beach...with waves coming in and out, sand between my toes and the sun rocking my tan :)

Jan 25, 2016 02:37 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

OH, me, TOO, Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 www.SpaceCoastHomesNow.com altho the tan part for this little redhead ain't happenin'!!

Jan 25, 2016 11:17 PM
Rob Arnold
Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL
Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

The older you get the more happiness is simply a choice.  You can find so many people who share similar current circumstances and some are grumpy and some are happy. 

Jan 25, 2016 03:40 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905  I think it is a little of both - Some people are down right unpleasant ! I see them on the streets and in stores ..They do not smile or smile back - They were raised that way a feeling of entitlement and miserable . ME on the other hand was raised to be Happy ..I enjoy life's simple pleasures ... Yes to enjoy Life  La Chaim  I think it is said to LIFE    Jon Don  100 Years  I hope  I said it right

Jan 25, 2016 04:34 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Gayle- I am a pretty happy person and love to laugh.  It's a choice I make.  And I love to be around people who can make me laugh.  

Jan 25, 2016 04:39 AM
Jack Tenold
Jack Tenold LLC - Spokane, WA
Specializing in Reverse Mortgages

Here's what makes me happy..my 4 month old grandson!   Congratulations on your featured post! Happiness is your first grandchild.

Jan 25, 2016 05:09 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

How can you NOT be happy when you see that sweet smile, right Jack Tenold, NMLS 10261 Reverse Mortgage Specialist Washington | Idaho | Oregon | California - refinance & purchase?

Jan 25, 2016 11:21 PM
Joan Valverde
HomeSmart - Colorado Springs, CO
GRI,CDPE,CNE,MRP,SRES Colo Sprgs, Blk Forest, Monu

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us Rejoice and Be Glad in it!!!  Good words to ponder upon if not able to get to a happy place!

I have had to pick up the phone and talk with my Grand kids on some days as well.  So many Blessings around!  Great post!  Congrats on the feature!

Jan 25, 2016 06:13 AM
Jeanine Saunders
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Gaithersburg, MD
New Agent serving Mont County

Great post. Love the pictures.

Jan 25, 2016 07:17 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

 You write, it's featured. That's awesome and congratulations once again - you are on a roll. Agree with you completely - we gotta laugh. I do love Dick's blogs and sense of humor.  

Jan 25, 2016 07:44 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905, I do believe that happiness is a choice, though there are peaks and valleys in life. I do love Anna Banana Kruchten and Liz Wallace's FUN sense of humor. A little dose does it for me on some less than sunshiney days. Thank you for this post!

Jan 25, 2016 08:38 AM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Gayle, I try to be a happy person, and like you say humor gets me there too! Then it's about doing what you love and painting and being creative are also key to my happiness.

Jan 25, 2016 09:28 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Gayle - Such a fresh and lovely post, just like the author! You will always be young at heart! Your photos, encouragement, inspiration, motivation, and spirit here on ActiveRain is contagious!!!

Virtual hugs for sharing your life's energy!

Jan 25, 2016 05:34 PM
Dave Werth
WERTH REALTY - Fargo, ND
FULL TIME REALTOR

This is a great post!  You are a true and genuine person! 

A suggestion if I may?  A person like you would enjoy, Bryan Dodge !!!

www.BryanDodge.com

 

Jan 25, 2016 08:45 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

I checked him out, Dave Werth. He is enthusiastic, for sure!

Jan 25, 2016 11:22 PM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905 ~ what we put out into the world comes back, and I find that smiling, being happy and friendly creates a life that's for me. There are a lot of ways to look at things- but the best way is to do it with gratitiude

Jan 26, 2016 06:55 AM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Gayle, happiness is indeed a choice. You also have to be willing to explore, test, and find what makes you happy. Then in some cases admit it makes you happy. Then commit to your happiness. As simple as it sounds it often takes a lifetime to figure out.

Jan 26, 2016 07:00 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905 as we grow older (not sure what will be the cut-off age, though..), we start controlling our emotions. And that's when Happiness becomes the choice.

We have many choices in life - and to be happy is one of them. We should 'go for it' - even when it is challenging to be happy.

Jan 26, 2016 11:52 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Great question Gayle. I think we are born happy and we learn to be grumpy based on our surroundings and experiences. That means we can choose to ignore those negative things and focus on the positive!

Sep 06, 2016 03:22 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

I SO agree Donna Foerster! I am interested to know how you found this old post...actually what I NEEDED today--funny how that works sometimes, even from our own words. 

Sep 06, 2016 03:37 AM
Donna Foerster

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905 


I've been scrolling through old Featured posts. That's my first stop each day for comments. Came across this one today. I believe God had a hand in that! Be happy!

Sep 06, 2016 03:49 AM