What DO happy people know

so i'm reading this book entitled 'what happy people know'. and my personal opinion of it mostly is crap
but the premise is to stop focusing on what isn't working and expand on what is or does. he asks some interesting questions. so let's do some blogging on them

when were you happiest? junior yr in college and the 1st yr out of college. the broads. god there was so much laughter there. like i haven't had since. silliness. quotes, pictures, antics, a language all our own. family
1st year out of college- i had the most balanced life then. pt job i loved, group of friends, soical life, volunteered at a food bank, played in a band and sang in the choir. i was happy except for my living w/ my parents

what makes you happiest? my son. feeling wanted. feeling loved. making a difference, feeling accepted, success, getting accolades for a job well done, creating a great piece of design (website, ad) or writing a great article and then getting it published. being in the company of animals- the purest, highest form of love on the planet, doing something that matters, having a social life, having friends, standing up for something

what do you like most about yourself?
i love the essence of me. an unbound spirit, the eternal child, naive and vibrant, in love with the simple joys of life, passionate, amazing spirit, one who wants to change the world and love the little girls so they can be confident, bold and free to blaze new trails and live their best lives , the visual, sensual person who can spend hours gazing at the sparkles on the water or soaking up the sun and kitty purr like it was heaven on earth. the one who notices so much that most miss, the unwavering determination, creative, expressive, compassionate one who loves animals and wants to do right

what creates that quality?
i think i was born with those qualities. it's what makes me special

how do you make that quality last?
the question is not how to make it last, the question is how to be that person on the outside, instead of only the inside

when did you have that quality the most
at interlochen, when i was part of a group, when people took me seriously, fighting for the animals, at the farm, after the farm, lobby day, meeting julia, hanging out w/ landmark people, the tree sitters, and any time i had a group of friends, when i saved the squirrel

how could you create more of it?
start standing up for things, be more in community? start surrounding myself with amazing people up to big things

what gives you peace of mind?
don't think i've ever had that. i'll let you know if i ever find it
the only thing i can think of at all is mother nature. she's so powerful and so perfect. but sadly, i think the asshole human race is going to win that one

what brings out the best in you?
easy, being around amazing people, being involved in a cause, fighing for what i know is right, standing for something, animals, hippies. amazing people. i always try to ride on their coatstrings in hopes that their brilliant light will rub off on me

who appreciates you the most?
ugh. another tough one. i'd say no one, but let's try. i guess, at the moment, my dad would make the list. this question could be much easier answered by who 'gets' you the most? monster, animals, my brother, linda, adam

what are your primary strengths?
intelligence, passion, perserverence, i can be inspirational and driven sometimes, intuition, and i think i see and express things differently than most. i think one of my best strenths is being able to stand in the middle and translate from one side to the other. i can go in the trenches and bring the story or cause to the general public and present it in such a way that they can understand it

what are your core beliefs?
i believe in taking care of the planet and protecting and loving animals, i believe in doing good and doing what's right, i believe we should all live our passion

what values do you live by?
whatever pays the rent (do we see a problem here)

who is in your emotional support network?
monster

what helps you feel most creative?
sadly, pain. anger, but maybe also simplicity. i've felt a lot more creative with my stuff in storage

did we learn anything here?
maybe only that i feel best when i'm highly involved w/ the human race, but that sucks. as monster put it, 'humans are hard work'. they are draining. and most of the time so frustrating, coniving, two-faced, self-absorbed and nasty that i just want to wash my hands of them. maybe a commune is the answer! i swear, being a writer so suits me. hole yourself up in an apartment with some cats. no interaction w/ the human race. every so often, put out some brilliant work and then get paid lots of money. no employees, no office, no one to answer to, don't have to be a leader, work whenever you feel like it.....aaah