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.
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.
Bloglovin’ / Google+ / Twitter / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest
80 Comments
Je suis surpris par Locowin Casino, ca transporte dans un univers envoutant. Les alternatives sont incroyablement etendues, incluant des paris sportifs electrisants. Pour un lancement puissant. Le service est operationnel 24/7, toujours pret a intervenir. Les paiements sont proteges et lisses, par moments plus de promotions frequentes seraient un atout. En fin de compte, Locowin Casino est une plateforme qui excelle pour les adeptes de sensations intenses ! A mentionner le site est veloce et seduisant, facilite une immersion complete. Egalement notable les paiements securises en crypto, propose des recompenses permanentes.
Explorer le site|
Je ne me lasse pas de Casinia Casino, ca transporte dans un palais enchanteur. Le catalogue est opulent et diversifie, incluant des paris sportifs dynamiques. Plus un Bonus Crab pour demarrer. Le support client est imperial, offrant des reponses claires. Le processus est simple et elegant, parfois quelques tours gratuits supplementaires seraient bienvenus. En resume, Casinia Casino garantit du fun a chaque instant pour les amateurs de sensations fortes ! En prime la navigation est simple et agreable, amplifie le plaisir de jouer. Un autre atout majeur les options de paris sportifs variees, assure des transactions fiables.
Visiter l’avis|
J’aime l’atmosphere unique de Locowin Casino, ca immerse dans un monde fascinant. La selection de jeux est spectaculaire, comprenant des jeux optimises pour les cryptos. Pour un demarrage en force. Le suivi est impeccable, avec une aide precise et rapide. Le processus est simple et reibungslos, mais des recompenses additionnelles seraient un avantage. Dans l’ensemble, Locowin Casino garantit du plaisir a chaque instant pour les joueurs en quete d’excitation ! Par ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement impressionnante, ajoute une touche de confort. Egalement appreciable les evenements communautaires engageants, propose des avantages personnalises.
DГ©couvrir les avantages|
Ich bin abhangig von SpinBetter Casino, es liefert ein Abenteuer voller Energie. Das Angebot an Spielen ist phanomenal, mit immersiven Live-Sessions. Die Agenten sind blitzschnell, verfugbar rund um die Uhr. Die Auszahlungen sind ultraschnell, trotzdem die Offers konnten gro?zugiger ausfallen. Alles in allem, SpinBetter Casino ist ein Muss fur alle Gamer fur Online-Wetten-Fans ! Hinzu kommt die Site ist schnell und stylish, was jede Session noch besser macht. Besonders toll die Community-Events, die den Spa? verlangern.
spinbettercasino.de|
https://tripscan41.cc/ TripScan: Революция в планировании путешествий – ваш персональный travel-ассистент! TripScan – это не просто еще один сервис для бронирования авиабилетов и отелей. Это комплексное решение, которое сделает организацию вашей следующей поездки максимально простой, приятной и выгодной. Интеллектуальные алгоритмы TripScan анализируют миллионы предложений от различных поставщиков, чтобы найти для вас лучшие варианты перелета, проживания, аренды автомобилей и увлекательных экскурсий, учитывая ваши предпочтения, бюджет и пожелания. Кроме того, TripScan предлагает уникальную функцию “умного” планирования маршрутов, которая позволяет автоматически создавать оптимальные маршруты с учетом интересных мест, транспортной доступности и времени, которое вы готовы потратить на каждый пункт назначения. Забудьте о часах, потраченных на поиск информации и сравнение цен – TripScan возьмет всю рутину на себя, чтобы вы могли сосредоточиться на предвкушении предстоящего приключения!
J’adore l’ambiance de Bingoal Casino, c’est une plateforme qui pulse avec energie. Il y a une multitude de jeux excitants, incluant des paris sportifs palpitants. Le bonus de bienvenue est attractif. L’assistance est efficace et pro, garantissant un support de qualite. Les retraits sont ultra-rapides, neanmoins plus de promos regulieres seraient top. En bref, Bingoal Casino est un incontournable pour les joueurs pour les amateurs de sensations fortes ! Cerise sur le gateau le site est rapide et attrayant, amplifie le plaisir de jouer. Un autre atout majeur le programme de fidelite avec des niveaux VIP, propose des avantages personnalises.
Parcourir davantage|
hf6qim
Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is just cool and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
http://cityjeans.com.ua/yak-unyknuty-problem-z-dai-cherez-steklo-far.html