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Finding your happy
Everybody has things that rock their world!
What makes you happy? What is it these days that brings each one of us joy? I intend to delve into what makes me happy in this article and in doing so, you may find comparisons, contrasts or ideas to take away with you.
I am no different to any other eighteen year old male in Irish society today. I have worries, problems, friends, secrets and… talents. One thing I pride myself on (without blowing my proverbial trumpet) is my music capabilities (not abilities).
I am good at many instruments, master of none, unfortunately. Nothing is quite like picking up a guitar and playing some of my favourite songs. Electric being my weapon of choice, my amp (small as it may be) produces enough sound to rupture the odd ear drum and make my parents shout from the bottom of the stairs to “turn that bloody music down”.
Whether it’s the bluesy riffs of Eric Clapton or the ripping tremolo solos of Kirk Hammet that is what I am all about! And why not? I picked up drums when I was around fourteen, and I taught myself due to a lack of drum teachers in my town. One day I needed something more and not satisfied with my level of drumming, I picked up the guitar. I still occasionally play the drums and I honestly miss the feeling of sitting on my throne. The point is, however, I got better at guitar a lot quicker than I did at drums, and I also got so much pride and joy from progressing. I went from a shaky handed beginner to that of an achieved teen, capable of playing some intermediate solos.
Music is, in my opinion, one of the greatest mediums of communication. Think of how many people listen to music… everyone, right? Now think of the artists writing their music, conveying their messages, emotions, opinions through this music to the masses.
What else makes me happy I hear you asking? Funnily enough it’s writing. I’m a shy guy who analyses everything and just as I wrote this sentence, I came to a conclusion in my head. I pursue happiness through expressive means such as this because of my shy personality. I would never be an orator to a giant crowd or play to millions. No, my happiness comes from knowing what I can do for myself and others in my small way.
Writing was something I picked up quite young, I was always good at spelling and while it boosted my confidence in that sense, it probably took away from the social side as nobody wants to be friends with the grammar freak! I progressed to writing poetry, short stories, songs and it was what I did. I loved it! I still do but I don’t have as much time for the personal side of it these days. Now I’m restrained to writing for a paper or Internet publishing. Pouring my heart and soul onto a piece of paper or typing my heart out is something so, so special to me.
Onto my next method of pursuing satisfaction - reading. Immersing myself into a world unknown to me, as page after page turns and I become drowned in a sea of words and sentences. Surfing the paragraphs to stay afloat. I will literally read anything from the fictitious Harry Potter to historical books recalling events such as The Burning of Cork. I will buy a book and make it last. Appreciate it, and the time and effort put into it by its author.
Rugby is another passion of mine which I partake in as much as possible. I used to play for my local team until I broke my ankle last year. After that I found it very hard to run or take a tackle without it bringing back some pain so nowadays I stick to the (not nearly as competitive) school rugby sessions we have. I still love it, running, knowing that soon you will get the wind knocked from your lungs or that you’ll be flung about like a rag doll and then stepped on as if you were nothing more than a … well something easy to step on I guess.
I guess that’s another part of happiness, what it releases in your body. I don’t know what the whole chemical equation is for happiness but I know that certain things that make us happy or excited release endorphins (or something of that nature) that stimulate us. The release of adrenaline feels great doesn’t it? They say it’s possible that an average man with adrenaline pumping through his veins can lift a car…that’s something I would pay to see!
So what is it that makes YOU happy? That’s what I want you to tell me! I have told you some of the things which bring joy to my life, you may not share any of these interests with me but I’m sure many others do.
Is it jumping off a cable bridge, suspended one thousand feet over a canyon with nothing but an elastic band around your ankles or is it something completely different like performing arts or horse riding? As the old saying goes, ’Each to their own….’
Tell us what makes you happy in the comments!
