Outsourcing Happiness
Where happiness comes from, and the idea of outsourcing happiness
This piece belongs to a series of 100 posts written in memory of Thom's grandmother, published on her Facebook.
How has today been for you?
Why were you happy today, and why were you sad?
Do you want tomorrow to be a happy day or a sad one?
You could watch this TEDx Talk and let Gen Kelsang Nyema, an American Buddhist, explain it; perhaps you will have the same aha moment I did.
And you will realise that the “quality” of your day was decided by someone else. According to Gen, outward circumstances do not determine happiness. To reach a steady happiness, we need to stop “outsourcing” it. She stresses that happiness is a state of mind, one that can be reached through meditation, the practice of mindfulness, loving-kindness and compassion.
The photograph of Gen Kelsang is one I found on Google.
Remember this — revisit it in a few days.
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