Poem-Create Your Own Happy Day-Response to Brenda Arledge’s Word Prompt-Week 54-Happy

Author:
VIDYA D SAGAR
Updated date:
Jul 6, 2022

I love poetry. I am a lifestyle enthusiast and like to write articles and poems on lifestyle changes that benefit people.

Happiness is an Attitude
Andrea Piacquadio on pexels

Word Prompts Help Creativity ~ Week 54-Happy

We writers at Hubpages are lucky to have a friend and mentor like Brenda who inspires us to write by giving us weekly word prompts. We enjoy responding to these word prompts and look forward to new word prompts each week. This week she has given us the word prompt ‘Happy’. The word immediately made me smile when I thought about all the things that make us happy. But when we ask people what makes them happy, we may get answers like more money, material comfort, success at career etc. But these superficial things can bring joy, momentarily, they can make one unhappy in the long run. So, then what does it mean to be truly happy?

What is Happiness?

The idea of feeling happy may differ from person to person. Some people may feel happy being with family and friends, some being with children and pets, just admiring nature, some when they buy a new house or car or get a new job with a good pay package. After the covid pandemic struck the world unawares, many felt they were happy to be alive. Some try to distract themselves from life’s problems by binge watching TV, indulging in endless shopping, mindless eating, etc. But the joy that one gets from objects or materialistic things is temporary. True happiness is more subjective and long lasting. Experts are of the opinion that some basic things are needed to make us happy. So what are these basic things that make us truly happy, according to experts.

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.

— Francesca Reigler

How to be Happy According to Science

In an online course launched by the University of Berkeley in 2014 by two psychologists, with a goal to teach students to be happy through science and practice, they had amazing results. Thousands of students participated and learned about the science of connection, compassion, gratitude and mindfulness. They also completed a series of simple activities to increase happiness. by putting these ideas into practice, the participants observed that their positive feelings increased week after week and they experienced more enthusiasm, affection and amusement. They also felt a greater sense of community. The happy feelings remained in them even four months after the course ended.

Misconceptions about Happiness

Generally, there is a misconception that happiness is in one’s genes and cannot be changed. Researchers have now proved that while 50% of one’s happiness is determined by one’s genes, 10% by life circumstances, 40% is determined by one’s daily activities. Though the theory was initially criticized as being too simple, now it has been widely accepted. It makes people feel good to know that one’s happy feelings are within one’s control. We also need to accept the fact that we cannot be happy all the time. We humans are not designed that way. That is to feel pure joy every hour of every day. It is impractical and not logical. Like during difficult situations, loss of a job or someone near to us. The concept is to build our resilience to overcome these difficulties and regain the contented and happy feelings.

After many studies and much research, experts came to a consensus that some basic things are needed to make us happy. They are a combination of good habits, taking care of our physical and mental health, accepting ourselves and others around us, that make us truly happy.

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour.

— Anonymous

Summary of the Poem

Happiness is a state of mind. It is a feeling of pleasure or well-being and sought by all. What makes people happy is the focal point of research for psychologists, scientists, and philosophers for centuries. They came up with three main concepts that make people happy. They are meaningful relationships, pursuing a hobby or work that one is passionate about and the third is helping someone in need or giving back to the community. I have created a poem on how you can design your life around habits that make you happy and develop a positive mindset, and be able to conquer any obstacles that come along the way. I hope dear Brenda and my Hubber friends like my response.