At some point, I have commented about the media, and one interesting case is The Economist. During an age where people are get so used to blog style (short and sweet), it is incredible a magazine with so many articles and written in such a depth (I also commend The New York Times, but that is for another post).
In the day of my 46th. birthday, I have stumbled upon an old issue which talked exactly about that age. A joyful Santa Claus jump over a hill and the wonderful title almost forced me to purchase that magazine (The joy of growing old, or why life begins at 46).
I always prefer to read from INTERNET, where I am the master and I can choose what I want to see (skipping all publicity). But that magazine, found at that special day... well, I don't believe in coincidences! It was a gift for me from life itself. Or from God. Whoever sent it, I thank Him/her/etc.
You can read the article, so I won't spoil your own pleasure. I am here to talk about that kind of interesting happiness.
I am not sure it is linked with age. I have been like that for about 10 years already, so this 46 number is not working properly. A few years ago, I've stopped to worry (but I still get concerned, no perfection yet) and I have seen many of my old traces of personality being changed.
I think it is not something physical. You cannot explain that with money or age, or statistics. It is something very internal that has to start from a different perception of the self and a deep love to learn.
I feel I have both. Every time I find I am a different person. I find myself in the same situations of the past, but with a different twist in my own mentality, attitude and awareness. Spirituality for me was the key to develop that part. So, although I am happy to know countries like Bhutan, France and the UK are interested in measuring well-being, still I feel you have to go even deeper than that. Sometimes, people think they are happy and you realize it is the weather that is sunny, or this person got a new job. Real happiness exists, no matter what, and it is a powerful very helpful inner resource when things go wrong.
Also, I feel it is important to measure the ability people have to learn, whether we talk about new skills or new ways to use old things in one's life. Very few people really learn. Sometimes it can look as a capacity, but my experience is that learning comes from a deep desire within. When you want to learn and you are open for that, then naturally you start to access the depth of your own being. And there, inside yourself, you find a kind of happiness that does not link with the outside world.
What about you? Are you happy???
A wonderful year for you!
