Chandrima Das
Reading Brene Brown this evening, and one point in particular caught my mind:
There are no easy "5 point how-tos" that lead us to happiness. We can only take a hard look at the things that get in the way of our happiness, like fear and scarcity, and clear the path.
Nov 12, 2019 at 3:25pmWeb
Show threadShinjini | Modern GypsyNov 12, 2019
@hackiechan also, I think the focus on happiness as a be-all, end-all goal only makes us more depressed. There are many other feeling tones that are less ephemeral than happiness, and we don’t focus on those enough.
Show threadChandrima DasNov 12, 2019
@shinjini Absolutely agree! Getting stuck on the craving for happiness is literally the biggest block to actually experiencing life as it unfolds. Constantly craving happiness is like living in a state of permanent hunger.
Show threadSridhar LaxmanNov 13, 2019
@hackiechan @shinjini Seeking meaning and purpose seems to contribute more to wellbeing than pursuing happiness.
Show threadChandrima DasNov 13, 2019
@sridharlaxman @shinjini I don't feel that way. I spent most of my life in the pursuit of meaning and purpose. It didn't work too well. I was trapped by that seeking.
More recently, I've re-directed myself to seek awareness and be in the present moment. Seems to feel more whole and full.
Show threadShinjini | Modern GypsyNov 13, 2019
@hackiechan I think you get trapped in that until you don’t find your meaning/purpose, if you know what I mean. I’ve undertaken that pursuit too, & it can be painful, but I eventually found that for me, it comes from my art practice. And now I don’t question it (much). But then, I guess part of it was, I always used awareness and mindfulness even during that pursuit for meaning & purpose.
@sridharlaxman
Show threadSridhar LaxmanNov 13, 2019
@shinjini @hackiechan My learning is that we are all on a journey, there is no one right way, everyone’s journey is unique and equally important, and we are more resilient, capable than we are led to believe.
Show threadChandrima DasNov 13, 2019
@sridharlaxman Again, this makes a lot of sense. For me, maybe intentionally centering on awareness works. For @shinjini centering on meaning and purpose may work. For someone else centering on rationality/ logic of thought may work, or maybe even centering on their emotions/ feelings.
Show threadShinjini | Modern GypsyNov 13, 2019
@sridharlaxman @hackiechan oh yes! I agree with this wholeheartedly.
Show threadSridhar LaxmanNov 13, 2019
@hackiechan @shinjini Glad to read that. Awareness gives birth to choices and being mindful, living in the moment can be wonderful.
Show threadChandrima DasNov 13, 2019
@sridharlaxman Your point about more aligned choices make so much sense to me. It's almost like, centering on awareness allows the meaning and purpose to unfold with ease. @shinjini