The Anatomy of Happiness

In a world of wants Happiness tops the list.  Happiness is something we all chase and dream.  Often times our pursuit of Happiness leads us astray.  But as the world continues to socially evolve, and material struggles continue to fall short in fulfilling us, more and more people are seeking and discovering Happiness.  If the end goal is Happiness we need to first, learn what it is, second, understand the Anatomy of Happiness, and lastly, apply the principles of Happiness into our everyday lives.

Firstly--What is Happiness?

Happiness is a long-lasting psychological state of joy, pleasure, harmony, contentment, love, and compassion.  It is not temporary but a constant state which grows and shrinks throughout our conscious lives.   Happiness does not decay like the body.  Rather it has the capacity to grow infinitely stronger over time.

We are born with a set Baseline for Happiness--a genetically determined start carved out by chemical, hormonal, and psychological propensities.  Essentially, we are born at a predetermined Elevation of Happiness.  Genetically speaking, some of us are born below sea level, with a propensity for depression, while others are born on top of mountains, with a propensity for elation.  But this beginning state of Happiness does not tell the whole story.

Total Happiness is the confluence of Baseline Happiness and Potential Happiness.
It is gained by the understanding of one's self and the proper use of Free Will.
The Anatomy of Happiness is the harmonious union of the biological and psychological Self.

Free Will is your most powerful tool in life.  Free Will is a creative tool that synchronistically shapes your world inside and out.  Under the guidance of Free Will there lies an ability to change your biological self and your Baseline of Happiness.  And eventually, with enough practice your Baseline will move as high as you choose to take it.

Our genetic makeup follows the code of adaptability for survival.  How we survive or choose to live affects how we biologically adapt during our lifetime.  If we choose to live a healthy life these adaptations will continue to make us happier and more resilient.  The end goal being tough skin and an unassailable smile.

Happiness starts as a temporary moment experienced by the brain's release of a chemical called Dopamine.  Activities and experiences that are new, explorative, passionate, and physical reward the brain with the release of dopamine, and the subsequent feeling of being happy.  The more often this happens the higher your Baseline.  Then you normalize at a higher, happier, psychological state.

This is why Free Will is so important.  We have the freedom and power to choose in our lives how we want to live, how we want to be rewarded, how we want to adapt, and how we want to feel.  Our Happiness is our responsibility and it is within our shaping.

Keep your life interesting.
Challenge your mind and body to new things.
Spice up your life.
Explore nature.
Take moments of stillness for yourself.
Discover harmony.
Seek some form of spiritual integration and share this with others.
Discover joy from the connection to others.
Seek activities that are demanding and difficult.
Let go of your ego.
Balance control and acceptance.
And develop a rhythm in life that is distinctly your own.

The key to happiness is the ability to--
"RECOVER FROM ADVERSITY MORE QUICKLY"

You can choose to grow infinitely happier.

So do it.

Kayaking Mendocino

It was my first time in a kayak.  After a brief how-to demo our instructor, Steve, pushed us off the beach.  I began paddling for the first time, anxious and excited.  With bent knees, I relaxed my grip and reminded myself to be one with the ocean.

As everyone entered the water I took a look around.  One of the guys from Canada had his black, scraggly dog in his lap.  The other Canadian had dreadlocks and a quite demeanor.  Robyn, had sunglasses, a beanie, and an ear-to-ear grin.  One married couple shared a kayak and a desire to go-go-go.  Our instructor seemed most at ease, no life jacket, no wet suit, only sunglasses, a pair of shorts, a white t-shirt, and a constant Stevie Wonder smile.  He pointed toward a dark entrance just off the shore.  Our first cave passage.

Gaining my aquatic bearings I was the last to arrive near the cave entrance.  While listening to the end of Steve's preparatory speech I realized the waves were not calm and placid but growing fierce.  We lined up waiting for the perfect moment to go for it.  Steve watched the breaks with his finger waiting in the air.

NOW!

The couple sharing a kayak sprinted first into the shrinking diameter of the cave.  Robyn went second, just ahead of me.  So far so good.  And the Canadians followed.  Daylight faded and my eyes slowly adjusted.  The cave walls were dark and rigid, and they smoothed out to a gloss as they neared the surface of the water.  The ocean sloshed, twirled, and created soft echoes before quieting, eerily.  Pulling my eyes toward the the activity of the water, each successive wave grew larger, as my dilating eyes followed suit.  Riding on a a giant rumbling belly before a sneeze, we felt the tension build exponentially.

Halfway through the cave a wave pushed Robyn's kayak sideways.  Frantically, she pushed off the cave wall to straighten herself as I slammed into her broadside.  Twisted and off angle, we looked at each other with a surge of adrenaline. We had moments to escape.  Digging our paddles into the water we let out a last effort scream, and just as the waves showed their teeth we straightened up, got sucked down away from the cave wall, and shot out like a broken bullet.

As the adrenaline subsided we turned our boats to encourage the Canadians.  But no one was there. Then Hugo arrived soaked and breathing heavily.  I didn't quite understand what he said at first but then the words sunk in: I flipped.

After another minute Steve came through with his continuous smile and nonchalant shoulders. "We lost him...no (grin) but he did get tossed."

What a beginning to our kayaking adventure.  After our faces regained their color everything thereafter was highlighted by the gift of continued life.  Herding together we headed across the bay into a field of giant kelp.  On top of the water lay big green bulbs, the size of softballs.  On top of the bulbs sea lettuce sprouted bright green.  Steve grabbed a handful and stuffed his mouth. "So good! You gotta try this."  Without hesitation, and because I was actually starving, this treat stacked up in my lap.  And from then on I ate my sea lettuce like wet potato chips.

Rounding a rock we floated up to Harbor Seals basking in the sun.  They were spotted like dalmatians and lounging on algae covered rocks.  Unalarmed, they squinted at us half asleep and feel back into a slumber.  A few words and we paddled on.

My first experience with kayaking in the ocean was full of so many new experiences.  The vacillating power of the ocean filled me with awe, fear, amazement, and a new respect for life simultaneously.  Life seemed more unpredictable in the ocean, more precious.  And the world lying beneath the surface of the water glanced through if I focused enough, if I gave it time.

When exploring nature and watching life exist outside of ourselves, we quickly see our characteristics played back to us.  The desire to live, eat, relax, be with others, love, and explore--these desires exist in all life, at every level.