Sportsbooks, Sudoku, Play, and Happiness

Filed in archive Information About on August 27, 2010

© Light Play

You hear a lot on the news about happiness. Much of the information discusses happiness as if it is some strange, nebulous entity that has its own momentum and drive, which seems silly. Why give so much outside power to concepts or feelings? Happiness is not some elusive item like the Holy Grail that you need to spend your life searching for. Everyone, real and fictional, who dedicates his life to looking for treasure in remote places instead of cultivating it within themselves, eventually dies unhappy. Either they find the Grail and are disappointed because, of course, happiness comes from inside, or they destroy relationships, careers, and sometimes even their sanity in the quest for something to make them feel complete. But feeling whole is not a huge undertaking or a mission. Feeling whole and complete comes from two things: strong, loving relationships and the small everyday decisions that bring peace and joy.

Do what you love. Every day. Play Sudoku on your lunch break or Rock Band with your kids. Place online bets with sportsbooks or head to Las Vegas for a weekend escape. Drive fast on country roads, have a second glass of wine, give your sweetheart a massage. People who are happy tend to have more fun. They make decisions that allow for more bonding time with people they care about, and more play. Adults tend to think of play as a waste of time because it's not "productive," but studies show that happy people occasionally sacrifice a Saturday of housecleaning or work to play soccer in the park, socialize with their neighborhood at the local block party, or take their kids to the zoo or an amusement park. Happy people let the little things slide off their skin, play as much as possible as adults, and consider relationships a priority.