This is why!

There is a certain level of satisfaction and relief to hear someone articulate your ideas and thoughts so closely that you need not try and reproduce them yourself. Many times you will be presented with approximates and "mostly's", but it is a rare occasion when you find yourself saying, "I could not have said it better myself", and truly mean it. I was presented with this today. So if anyone questions my motives for being supportive of this cause, I hope this provides the answers.

I simply ask that you watch this, whether you agree with it or not. And please don't focus on who is speaking or what his motives are... Listen to the message.

Happiness in Three Words

So yesterday morning I received a text from a friend asking, "What makes you the happiest? In three words." I actually spent a good deal of time thinking about the answer to this question. To which my brain produced a random smattering of cliché responses... Family and friends, to be loved, that I'm alive... etc, etc, etc. It got a little more specific when it gave me answers like, Hawaiian Beach house or Traveling the world. Also I was in the middle of watching one of my favorite series and so humorously the answer, "Dr. Gregory House", came to mind (I love that show).

So to help my brainstorming of ideas, I started thinking about my friends, and what they would respond with... World of Warcraft... Puppies ina box... Little Big Planet... PS3... religion free society... PHD... and many more.

Not being satisfied with any answers presented thus far, it finally dawned on me. So I answered...

"I don't know"

(Moment of Zen in 3... 2... 1...)
Now, I am not saying that I don't know the answer to the question, I am saying that "I don't know" IS the answer to the question. Think about the power behind such a simple statement. Numerous emotional responses can be contributed to these three little words. Happiness, confusion, anger, frustration, excitement, determination, etc.

But this blog is about Happiness.

So how does "I don't know" create happiness? Its the anticipation that is created. Example: "I don't know" what I'm getting for Christmas. If you knew already, would you really be as happy opening it? Same when some one tells you they have a surprise for you. If they just told you what it was, would the impact of the event be as satisfying? On a deeper note, "I don't know" when I am going to die. If you knew the answer to that, would you really be as happy with life? A few others to digest... "I don't know" who I will marry... "I don't know" how many kids I will have... "I don't know" (for sure) what tomorrow brings, "I don't know" what I'm having for lunch (ok, that one was for the happiness of my stomach).

So my answer to this question simply is, I don't know. And that is what makes me happiest. The fact that I DON'T know. If I knew what one thing (or three) made me the happiest, what would push me to find more things that qualify? What keeps those things from changing, ending, or being taken away?

So a constant pursuit of what "I don't know"... That is what makes me the happiest, in three words.



P.S. I know I posted previously that I don't like to solicit comments, but seeing as though my shameless attempt had no impact on that post, I'm doing it again.

This was such a great thought provoking question presented to me, that I wanted to share the experience.

What makes you the happiest? In three words.

It can be three different things or a three word phrase. Oh, and there is an "anonymous" option when posting, for those who's answer is "my personal privacy".