In Bloggers' corner

Happiness is a choice

547 Comments

Do you know that happiness is an active choice? It is an internal state of mind. I was told that I always appear to be happy. Clearly, laughing out loud often does that to people. Jokes aside, here’s my take on happiness.

Believe it or not, I was downright depressed at some stage. An old Japanese (2008) series changed that. Funny how a piece of fiction changed my perspective. The series was called “Around 40”.

 

One character really shook me. Nao Morimura 森村奈央 has a picture perfect life. Perfect marriage and published articles on how fabulous her life was. Meanwhile, her husband completely ignored her, but she smiled and told the public what a supportive husband he was?!? It was enraging to watch. I had many urges to smack this woman. She’s one of those characters that I crawls under my skin.

 

The saddest part is that it reflects the reality these days. Thanks to social media, many of us have fallen victim to our own ‘reality creation’. Value perception over actual reality. It is such a fine line between doing things for personal enjoyment versus attract attention in hopes of recognition. It made me reflect on myself.

 

I used to end up buying things that my acquaintances desire more than what I did. WHY? O, I was hungry for acceptance or perception of having cool stuff. I was deadly stupid, clearly. Living in Shanghai and hang with other expats was living in a massive bubble. Why was it important to get a new phone like twice a year? Or what possessed me to buy multiple handbags that I didn’t particularly like but were ‘must haves’? I did not feel like drinking all weekend, but hey, it’s the cool thing to do. (+ 1000 more stupid things) All in the name of creating the desired perception. Looking back, I can only ask myself WHY. It may have made someone envious, just not myself.

 

The most inspiring thing from this series was this catch phrase:

“あたしが幸せかどうかはあたしが決める。”

Translate: I decide whether I am happy or not. / I decide for my own happiness.

Some of my older reader may have noticed that the quote, “Happiness is only for the brave,” appeared on my old homepage / profile. Well, that’s my spin. I really do believe in it. The decision to be happy is a brave choice. So happiness is decisively only for the brave. It is a state of mind.

 

I highly recommend this TV series, especially to fellow ladies out there. Here a quick synopsis of the series: Around 40

The lead character was Satoko, 39, a beautiful single psychiatrist. Being a Japanese woman, she was under huge pressure to get married and stop working. That was THE life goal back in the days. Others started to feel sorry for her because she was alone. However, Satoko knew how to enjoy her life. She had the wisdom knowing the difference between lonely and alone.

 

Satoko has 2 close friends, Nao (33) and Mizue (around 40). Nao was pretty much what I wrote at the beginning of the post. Mizue was a full time housewife, a classic Japanese woman who gave up work to take care of husband and child. She was waiting for her son to grow up and was preparing to divorce. Bear in mind that she has not worked for YEARS. Watching her looking for work was heart wrenching. The series was all about the pursuits of happiness, self actualisation and friendship. I LOVE this series.

491
Official poster from the series.

 

Thank you for reading. I hope this is not too bizarre. So what’s your take on happiness?

 

Previous reflection post? Ichigo Ichie. One time, One meeting. 一期一会 It’s been a very long time since I do one of these personal posts.

 

Signature small

Bloglovin’ / Google+ / Twitter / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest

 

Author

Salut, I am Joyce. 40 something living in Paris. Appreciate little things and share giggles. Prudent, no nonsense reviews. #ExploreLaughRepeat

Related Posts

547 Comments

  3. narkologicheskaya klinika_srei Reply

    анонимная наркологическая помощь в москве [url=https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-28.ru/]анонимная наркологическая помощь в москве[/url] .

  5. crimsonbyteer2six Reply

    Je suis completement seduit par Posido Casino, ca donne une vibe electrisante. Les jeux proposes sont d’une diversite folle, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. Il donne un elan excitant. Disponible a toute heure via chat ou email. Les gains arrivent en un eclair, a l’occasion des bonus plus varies seraient un plus. Pour faire court, Posido Casino est un lieu de fun absolu. Ajoutons que le site est rapide et engageant, ajoute une vibe electrisante. Un bonus le programme VIP avec des privileges speciaux, renforce la communaute.
    Rejoindre maintenant|

  6. ironzoneok2six Reply

    Je suis accro a Vbet Casino, ca invite a plonger dans le fun. La selection est riche et diversifiee, offrant des sessions live immersives. Il rend le debut de l’aventure palpitant. Le service client est excellent. Les gains arrivent en un eclair, a l’occasion des offres plus consequentes seraient parfaites. Dans l’ensemble, Vbet Casino merite un detour palpitant. A mentionner le design est moderne et energique, booste l’excitation du jeu. Egalement super les paiements securises en crypto, assure des transactions fluides.
    Explorer le site web|

  8. Skykingin5six Reply

    Je suis bluffe par Betzino Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. La selection est riche et diversifiee, incluant des paris sur des evenements sportifs. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. Le service d’assistance est au point. Les paiements sont surs et fluides, de temps en temps des bonus varies rendraient le tout plus fun. En bref, Betzino Casino offre une experience inoubliable. Pour couronner le tout la plateforme est visuellement dynamique, facilite une experience immersive. Un element fort les evenements communautaires vibrants, qui stimule l’engagement.
    Plonger dedans|

  9. betabyteon7six Reply

    J’ai un faible pour Betzino Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. Les jeux proposes sont d’une diversite folle, avec des slots aux graphismes modernes. Il donne un avantage immediat. Le service client est de qualite. Les transactions sont toujours fiables, rarement des recompenses supplementaires seraient parfaites. Pour finir, Betzino Casino est un must pour les passionnes. En bonus l’interface est fluide comme une soiree, incite a rester plus longtemps. Un element fort le programme VIP avec des recompenses exclusives, propose des privileges sur mesure.
    Ouvrir la page|

  10. Wildzoneos5six Reply

    J’adore l’energie de Betzino Casino, ca offre une experience immersive. Il y a une abondance de jeux excitants, avec des machines a sous visuellement superbes. Il amplifie le plaisir des l’entree. Le service client est de qualite. Les transactions sont toujours fiables, neanmoins plus de promos regulieres dynamiseraient le jeu. Dans l’ensemble, Betzino Casino merite une visite dynamique. A signaler l’interface est simple et engageante, ajoute une touche de dynamisme. Un point fort les tournois frequents pour l’adrenaline, renforce la communaute.
    Aller sur le web|

Reply To 1xbet_chet Cancel Reply