“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future:
it is something you design for the present.”
(Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur and speaker, 1930 – 2009)
“I’ll be happy when … I get my degree, dream job, partner … or when I am out of debt, free to …. Or when I have …” Sadly, terms like when, get, am, have call for a dead stop. Then, the moment is postponed. And the present that is the present is unopened.
But what if we pulled the ribbon? Opened the box – not when but now! What would we find inside? There are not one but three gifts there! They’re puzzles for designing happiness: pleasure, pride, and fulfillment. And each one has its green light “go!” words.
Pleasures are immediate. They’re short-term satisfactions from sensory delights and social linkings. For the senses, turn up the heat: use the words see, hear, smell, taste, or touch and relish them. Design enjoyable times: play good music, visit a coffee shop, make a savory or sweet treat, curl up with soft or warm. For socializing, increase times with people – real or in stories — who bring the joy. Use words like curiosity, novelty, freedom, beauty, being nurtured. Then design times that bring you those pleasures!
Pride comes from doing what moves us, grows us, and expands us. It asks for our time and effort. But then it brings other versions of happiness, like interest, excitement, satisfaction, enthusiasm. And it reaps achievements for the mind, body, heart, and creative centers. It fills a desire to be more skilled or knowledgeable about things of interest. To get it, use words like grow, learn, get better, or create. Then put in time and bring out the superstar athlete, student, artist, gardener, runner, singer, teacher, rock painter (etc.) within! This puzzle comes together when you design and follow a path to your greatest performance yet!
Fulfillment comes from exploring and sharing your values, gifts, and higher powers. It expands happiness into awe, gratitude, hope, and love. To get it, use questions and words, like what are my values and gifts? or what is my mission or purpose? Then design, plan, and enjoy volunteering, serving others, mentoring, inspiring, and following spiritual pursuits. This puzzle is first worked out within and then displayed without. And it brings your light to others.
The happiness present is all about possibilities. It’s the designer tool kit for creating joy in the now!
Happiness is the gift!
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