When I initially watched the Ted Talk on the Harvard Happiness study, I was baffled by the findings that those who experienced connection
reported happiness even though they were in
physical pain.
Specifically these were part of the findings:
- Those experiencing days of physical pain stayed happy for those who were in warm relationships.
- Those experiencing days of physical pain in conflictual relationships were depressed.
- Arguments are ok as long as they problem solved through it to get along.
Any time I
am baffled, God has mercy and breaks things down for me. I met two ladies with muscular distrophy. They both shared
pictures of
significant others, family, friends,
pets. They
struggled in pain to move, and
yet when they
sat down, they shared how
connected and
loved and supported they
are!
Priceless.... I saw and heard true
happiness. They
just kept sharing, showing
pictures,
laughing, talking.
The younger of
the two shared how she was diagnosed with MS two years ago when her
baby was 9
months old. She had just left an
abusive
relationship with the baby’s dad.
Whew did she
have gratitude for her mom
who helps care
for her child. She also
smiled telling
me her toddler is intuitive
enough to slow
down and wait for mom
finding movement
empathy of sorts. Ha!
and what do we
have to complain about?
I believe
happiness is based in connection
and a frame of
mind being full of
gratitude❤️
