Happiness

cute little car

I spent a long time looking for the quote I remembered from FM Alexander about happiness being doing something well that you enjoy. I never found the quote—it could be either my memory or my research skills that are faulty (probably both). I did find this:

“The characteristic note of true happiness is struck when the healthy child is busily engaged in doing something which interests it.” –F.M. Alexander, from Constructive, Conscious Control of the Individual

(yeah, “it,” I know… before the common usage of the singular “them”)

Maybe this is what I remembered. Maybe not. But I find it lovely and can easily put myself into the role of the child. Not to suggest that I’m always happy. Hell and emphatically NO. Though it begs the question, if I’m more commonly in a state of stress than “true happiness,” might the problem be that I’m not busily engaged in doing something which interests me?

What interests me?

Lots of things, but what actually sparked this whole search and blog was thinking about parallel parking. Not to toot my own horn (ha!), but I love to parallel park. I’m good at it. I find the challenge invigorating. Can I make it into this spot? With minimal jockeying? I wish I could bring this attitude of curiosity and bring-it-on to more of life’s little challenges.

So I guess the suggestion of this blog is to find something that interests you, busily engage in it, and let yourself enjoy it. Or, as F.M. goes on to say, inject “…a special interest and pleasure into the most ordinary acts of life.”

A post-script story: One day my husband pulled into a tight spot and ended up with one tire on the curb. My son reportedly quipped: “Mom wouldn’t have done that.” I’m glad he thinks so!

A post-post-script story: It's been at least two years since I last posted a blog, and my site is now offering me the option of a robot writing it for me. Blech! Rest assured, I wrote this blog with all my human frailty. And I enjoyed it!