That concept – that things don’t always turn out as planned – is part of what spurred these questions and this post. I love your answer, and the idea that things aren’t necessarily going to simply happen, ta-da!, for all of us. Occasionally, maybe it is that way. But mostly? We have to be active participants in our lives.

You can write a post in the comments any time! (Or answer the questions on your blog!)

I agree that we can work at it and find tools. Happiness, for a lot of us, is a conscious decision. I also agree that it’s crazy talk to look at a depressed person and tell them to just ‘get happy.’ It’s not that simple & I think that attitude belittles a very real struggle.

Everything else does pale, doesn’t it? It’s such a blessing to be a parent, and even more so to recognize the joy in it. I think it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day, but focusing on the joy makes it all worth it.

Oh, Christina, isn’t that so true? It’s often impossible to see at the time, but what a gift that you have that perspective now!

I like that you say you’re happy, but not all the time. I relate to that a lot… Not every moment is filled with rainbows, and I think that’s absolutely okay.

I think the optimist in you is a good thing – without optimism, I don’t think there would be much happiness at all. And I do think our circumstance – as well as how we choose to handle that circumstance – can change, often. Makes for an interesting ride, of course, and your answers make me wonder if the entire key to happiness is simply learning to manage our reactions to our circumstances…

Your answer to the first question is exactly the line of thinking that spurred this post & I can’t wait to explore it more in the follow-up post. I agree with you about not setting up our kids for a life of disappointment.

Thanks for you answers – so thoughtful. You should go ahead and write for hours, then blog your answers!

I completely agree that we have NO idea what we’re getting into when we embark upon adulthood. I had a feeling it was going to be different – and probably harder – than I imagined, but there’s simply no way to grasp it without living it!

Come on, write for hours and send me your answers (or blog them). 🙂

I need to read that book. And I agree, happiness can be cultivated. It takes a lot of conscious effort, to be sure, but I think it can be done.