“F eeling or showing pleasure or contentment” is the technical definition of being happy, according to the Oxford Dictionaries — but the problem with being happy is that there are few things which ubiquitously define happiness for all people. What causes one person to be happy may not have the same effect on someone else.
How to Be Happy.
In an attempt to define how to be happy, Richard Branson — founder of the Virgin Group, which includes airlines such as Virgin Atlantic — wrote this letter to an undefined stranger as part of an effort to discuss happiness all month long.
Here is an excerpt from the letter:
It’s OK to be stressed, scared and sad, I certainly have been throughout my 66 years. I’ve confronted my biggest fears time and time again. I’ve cheated death on many adventures, seen loved ones pass away, failed in business, minced my words in front of tough audiences, and had my heart broken.
I know I’m fortunate to live an extraordinary life, and that most people would assume my business success, and the wealth that comes with it, have brought me happiness. But they haven’t; in fact it’s the reverse. I am successful, wealthy and connected because I am happy.
Summary
Apparently, one thing which causes Richard Branson to be happy is to choke Greg Davis-Kean of Frequent Miler in this article from which I outright stole a photograph and cleaned it up before posting it at the top of this article. The aforementioned article is part of a series of articles in which Greg Davis-Kean visited Necker Island — complete with plenty of photographs and videos.
Keeping with the theme of BoardingArea, one of the things which causes me to be happy is when I am traveling — even when things are not going as they planned. In fact, it is when things go wrong that truly tests happiness: if you find yourself still happy even when you are miserable and feel down, you know you are enjoying something about which you truly are passionate. Travel is happiness for me, as it is my passion — even when there are no upgrades or I miss a meal or I do not get enough sleep or I wait for greater than an hour at an immigration checkpoint in a country to which I had never been prior to arriving.
I have written articles in the past which can help you towards being happier — including maintaining perspective in life; indulging in passion; and staying positive. Miles, points and elite level status may be nice things to have — but they do not define happiness, in my opinion…
…happiness is about appreciating and enjoying what the world has to offer — especially the simple things in life. One of those things is sitting in a window seat and watching the world and the clouds float by below while listening to some of my favorite music. I can do that for hours because that makes me happy.
Please read the letter written by Richard Branson; and then please share some of the things which cause you to be happy. Perhaps you will give ideas to fellow readers to help them be more happy in life — especially while traveling.
Happy travels to you…
