Mystery Solved? Part 2

I know I talked a big talk in the last post about my “epiphany” and my “revelation” about relationships so I hope you aren’t disappointed.  Again, what I write and have realized may be things most people already know but to me, it was a revelation. 

When I talk about relationships, I am talking about all the relationships I have in my life – my family, my friends, my co-workers and boss, and my relationship with God.  Some people may have other relationships like with their community or their church but for me, this is enough. 

First of all, I have always prided myself in the ability to surround myself with good people.  I have very little time for people who bring me down.  Luckily, I am usually quick to recognize those types of personalities early on and find ways to avoid being too friendly to them.  Life is way too short and precious to have toxic people in your life.   So if you are reading this and play an active role in my life, kudos to you – you are a good person!  =) 

Second, I realized that I find a lot of my joy in my relationships.  It could be just having dinner with my family, or drinks with the girls or sharing my bad day stories with a co-worker.  I not only realized I get joy from these relationships but I get A LOT of joy out of them.  They also have a significant and immediate impact on my happiness one way or the other.  Let’s say my boss has upset me, this really negatively impacts my joy for the day.  However, if I get a random text, email or call from an old friend, I am pumped the rest of the day. 

Third, and this is the whopper folks… If I want to be happier, I need to invest more time and energy in the relationships that make me happy.  I feel like I do that with my family and with my co-workers mainly because I spend the most time with them.  But I am finding that’s not enough.  I need to engage my friends more often and more in depth.  I need to spend more time with God and nurture that relationship.  I need to find a boss that I mesh better with.  I need to spend more time forging new relationships outside of family and work to bring more positive people and happiness into my life.  Could it really be that simple?  I think it just might be.

Not only have I discovered what makes me happy and how I need to nurture my happiness but, I have also discovered what kills my happiness.  That’s for another post though…