Happiness..!

Now this is a subject, yes? I recently got approached on Instagram to create a video on what happiness means for me. Suffice to say it's my first video like this and watching it back I was anything but happy!! Lol cringe.. but they say some people don't like watching themselves! I fall comfortably into this category.

What is happiness? And what does it mean to me?
Well I can start by saying this.. happiness would be for me security! Boring right? Security of having my own place, we are currently, "my husband Sion our dog Suki and two cats Silvi & Sydi" lodging at my mum and dad's house with all that we own (house wise) in a local storage lot.

So right now I suppose our happiness (future) would be buying if not renting our own place.. living somewhere semi rural so we can take Suki for nice walks. (My lustful side would specifically love a kitchen big enough to put a kitchen table in, maybe one of those big old but reclaimed sinks and views of trees or coastline..) now I'm not asking for anything big right?.. it's just more "material.. happiness".

The thing is happiness or "the thought of happiness" can be different for different people, and it depends on what's important to you at this time. If you'd have asked me yesterday morning then it would have been to get my tooth out! (Was in Excruciating pain) and then to make sure I meet my husband in time to go to his uncles funeral. That was deeply important that I support my husband and be there for him and his family in some small way.

So we've kind of established that these things are not maybe happiness it's self, but more so that it creates a sense of wellbeing from which happiness follows.. so getting your needs met and also the people that are important to you, are in a sense things that can create a level of happiness from different life situations that unfold daily.


SO.. What is happiness?


For me; now I say this because we can only go off what is "for us" it won't be the same for you, but you may read things that resonate with you!


RIGHT NOW; it is NOT my dog ripping up my trees.. ⬇️

Happiness is;
*Time with my Husband, Family, Friends our dog and our two cats!
*The beach/woodland/nature
*A salt bath
*photographing people, editing and seeing my work and style evolve.
*Giving back, charity donation or time,
*Avocado, rocket leaf salad,
*Cup of tea (couldn't function without)
*Feeling success within my business, sharing work that resonates and that I'm happy with,
*Success for me is time to do all of the above, it definitely helps to make me feel happy,
*Maybe having kids one day,


Happiness for fun;
*Trip to Hawaii/California road trip,
*Meeting Leonardo DiCaprio,


Happiness for pushing the boundaries;
*Trying underwater photography,
*Holiday on a yacht,
*Having an interview with Chase Jarvis,
*Working with Jasmine Star,
*Creating a photo-project with deep meaning related to climate change and the environment.


Happiness massive goal;
*Intercontinental travel
*Mastering photography, my way, my style
*Becoming a better person, friend and wife, kinder, more passionate, more confident, more at peace & more healthy. (that's what we all want for ourselves isn't it?)
*Live fearlessly, following my dreams*


Now the above you may argue.. isn't related to happiness! But I'd argue that this is happiness for me. It's maybe not right, but it's not wrong. It's my blueprint.. and anyway WHO makes the rules anyway...?? Ahhh yes! "We do".


So that said our happiness is within our control.. it's also something we can't control as we sometimes have no power over the things that happen to us.. it's not our fault and we can't control things like hereditary illness, disease or abuse caused by others. I tell you what we can control though.. "WE DO" get to choose how we let these things.. the struggles, the heartbreaks and the pain.. we choose how it affects us moving forward and then how it shapes our lives.


We are not what's happened or happening to us.. if you are in a bad situation.. leave. If you've been through a bad situation, then give yourself a squeeze.. you made it through, it's made you stronger. Give thanks for what good is around you in your life, no matter how small. Let us use our pain to make us a better person.. stronger, more tolerant, more empathetic.. smarter, kinder, with a purpose.
"Let Light Shine, Out Of Darkness" 2 Corinthians 4:6

We control largely our own happiness, and we largely also don't . So with this in mind, we do have power, power to shape our lives and fill our lives with potential & instant happiness, reaching that dream, being kind to yourself/others.. taking time to learn more about what "feels good" for you and trusting that feeling, letting it lead you to happiness. Trust & follow your gut. Let the universe lead you. 💛✨

Make your own rules, and I hope for you that you live fearlessly.. creating happiness for yourself and others, following your dreams and letting the higher power of goodness lead your heart to love and happiness. Yx :)