Friday, December 3, 2010

One Question Friday












Every Friday I’m going to ask a question. The questions I choose might be ambiguous on purpose. The goal is to have you answer the question according to your beliefs, where you’re at in life or a circumstance that might have recently impacted you. The only thing I ask is that you provide an explanation for why you answered the way you did.









It's my hope to understand you better through this and also to gain a greater understanding of humanity and how people make decisions.










Happiness is…


*photos by flickr

24 comments:

  1. Happiness is so many things for me. Happiness is holding your baby for the first time. Happiness is the first moment you see the person you're going to marry as you walk down the aisle. Happiness comes in so many forms - the smiles and laughs from your children, the wiggles, wags and slobbers of my dogs when I walk through the door, the comfort I get when my family is around me on a snowy winter day.

    That's just what came to mind this morning anyway... Happy Friday, Wendy! Miss you!

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  2. Wendy:
    Happiness is receiving a blessing from the Lord. For two months now, our church Drama Ministry has been working with an assortment of kids and youth and a few adults preparing a Christmas play. Last night was dress rehearsal. It came together wonderfully. It was the first time we had every cast member there and also the only time we managed to get all the way through it. A few of us working as directors had qualms about how things had gone. But God blessed our efforts and we are READY. Tonight's the first performance and we had to have closed practices,so it will be a surprise for all who come. Three performances this weekend.

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  3. I love your questions, Wendy. You cause me to delve deep into myself, and I learn and grow as a result. What a gift you have for bypassing the ordinary and reaching deep into a person's soul. I wish I could view the world through your eyes. I think I'd see more clearly, feel more deeply, and broaden my horizons. Since I can't, I'll keep right on enjoying my visits to your lovely blog.

    Happiness is fleeting. Joy is lasting. I've had many happy times in my life. Milestones such as my wedding day, my college graduation, moving to Germany, holding our daughter for the first time are memories I'll treasure forever.

    But life isn't always easy. There are tough times when happiness seems a distant memory. That's where joy comes in. Even when things are tough, I can tap into an underlying sense of joy that comes from knowing Whose I am, that my husband loves me even when I'm having a bad day, that I have friends who will share the burdens so I don't have to face dark days alone.

    Wow. It's early here in California. I didn't know I could so philosophical at 6:30 in the morning. See how you stretch me, my dear? Happiness is having you as a friend. =)

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  4. Happiness is waking up each morning knowing that I am not alone and I am loved. Those two things are most important to me--and I know that even if the whole world turned against me, I still would not be alone and would still be loved. God is just so awesome!

    Anyway, there are lots of other things that make me happy in this world, but they just add to that basic happiness. :)

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  5. Wow. How to answer that in just a few words? Happiness is my family. The unconditional love of my husband and kids. Laughter. Hanging out with best friends. Playing with my dog. So many things!! Ultimately I think happiness is knowing who I am in Christ, and the peace that comes with that knowledge. No matter where I am or what I am going through, He is always there and will get me through.
    And I bet you thought I was going to say Starbucks!! Ha. Well, yes, that makes me happy too. :0))

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  6. I already have the biggest request possible and that's eternity with Christ. Outside of that everything is gravy. Having said that, I do believe the Lord puts desires in our heart to pull us up alongside him to become a part of His plan. I sure am burning with desire. I suppose my next huge blip of happiness will be getting a contract!

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  7. Laughing so hard that your stomach hurts. Oh wow. That is a wonderful kind of happiness.

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  8. Security in God! :o)

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  9. Happiness is closer to us than we think. Like Dorothy in Oz, we are wearing on our feet the shoes which will take us home.

    Thanks so much for your comment and helpful suggestion -- I'm going to take a look at it now.

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  10. Hm... happiness. I think I like Keli's answer, that it's something that comes as temporary moments in life, like wedding days and graduations. I guess for me, true happiness comes when I am at peace with where I am and what I'm doing, and knowing that God has a plan so that I don't need to worry. I used to be depressed and stressed out before I came to know Christ. Any for of joy or happiness is a result of his goodness and blessing.

    Your question made me think of this verse...

    "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

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  11. There was an old Peanuts book I had that was called... Happiness is walking hand in hand. I always think of that and smile. :O)

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  12. Being content.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  13. A cold can of Dr. Pepper while the kids are napping. Bliss.

    :)

    Amy

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  14. Hi Wendy,

    Happiness, is a state of mind or feeling etc.... online dictionary :o)

    My state of mind is not always reliable, and my feelings can change from good to bad all one day, so I'm going to have to say;

    Happiness to me is learning to be happy regardless of my circumstances.

    God bless your day,
    Michele Katherine

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  15. So many ways to answer this. I think happiness is knowing that the Lord is leading and has my back and that I can throw away my worries.

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  16. Oh gosh. So many possibilities here... Happiness is hearing my kids giggle together...feeling loved...being productive (isn't it sad that made my list?)...good friends...big changes...feeling close to God... feeling heard...being helpful...giving...peace and quiet...a warm vanilla sugar candle from Bath and Body Works...a really good movie, wrapped in an old quilt and my husband's arms...

    :)

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  17. Hi Wendy -

    Happiness is a fickle companion that hides when trouble appears on the horizon. Still I'm glad she shows up. When she's around, she's a lot of fun.

    Some happy moments: our courtship and wedding, the first time I was published (non-fiction), lunch with friends, Christmas and Thanksgiving with my family and friends...I could go on and on.

    Joy is knowing Jesus - stable, strong, reliable.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  18. Knowing God. Knowing how blessed I am. Having friends (like you).
    I could go on... :)

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  19. Happiness is knowing that God has saved me and I have the gift of eternal life.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  20. knowing I'm home....and freedom...inside and out.

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  21. Happiness is momentary,flitting and hard to hang onto. I think that is why God gave us the gift of memory..I remember the great overwhelming happiness of knowing I had heard the quiet voice of the Spirit guide me.
    Happiness is the innocent smile of a child and their giggles in the air around me. And the memories of each of my children cuddled in my arms.

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  22. I apprecitate quiet time alone. But happiness is ALWAYS time with people I love. ALWAYS! (I love you, Wendy! I'm SO glad we've spent time together!)

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  23. For me, happiness and joy are one in the same as being grateful. And there are so many things that I am grateful for:

    1. My love life with my husband of 28 years.
    2. My two wonderful sons.
    3. My first book being published in January.
    4. Being of sound mind and in good health.
    5. Feeling like I am following my bliss, or my purpose in life.
    6. The ability to learn from my hardships, which breeds wisdom and character.
    7. My many wonderful friends.
    8. Having a warm, cozy house to shelter me from the storms.
    9. Being on a spiritual path I've chosen.
    10. My life in general.

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