For those of you that are just naturally happy people

Why do you think you are like that? Every one has troubles in life and heart ache.

Is it just your personality, the environment you were raised in? Is it something you work hard at. Or, is life just very easy for you?

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

My personality.

I'm always happy.

A few years ago I was sad......I was looking to what others had and what I didint. I took a GOOD hard look at myslef and realized all the great things that were me. I met my husband 2 weeks later.

When you have sad things in your life (I lost a sibling) you (I) look to life and see all the good. I choose every day to be happy. I dont let little things bother me and dont let any fools bother me.

I have so much in my life I'm grateful for and cherish the time I have and the good I have in my life. I'm confident in who I am...VERY confident....and I feel secure in that. All of these things make me happy, every day.

eta: But I work at it every day!

Message edited 4/4/2011 1:08:16 PM.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

I think it's a matter of perspective - and a lot of that is based on personality.

I think I lean to the happy positive side more than the negative. DH does the reverse. Once we summarized 10 years of our life. He looked only at the negative (deaths, friend's & family's marital struggles, break-ups of families). I looked at the positives (2 amazing kids, a house, our health, the fact that we were still together after some hard times) & acknowledged it had been a struggle for those around us but we were still ok. It was a real eye opener.

It seems innate to me. I have two very different kids - one is an optimist; one is a pessimist. We were leaving a carnival once, where both had a great time. One turned to the other & said "That was the best time ever." The other one said "Yeah but now we have to leave. That's the worst!"

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

It's just who I am, and who I have always been. Even as early as preschool, I was named by my teachers and classmates as "giggles" - my mom told me I used to go to a corner of the room and start giggling like crazy, and then everyone else in the class would come over and see what I was laughing at, and within minutes, I'd have the class in hysterics

Maybe part of it is my environment; my parents always encouraged me to be exactly who I am, but in large part, I just think it was the way I was born.

It aggravates the HELL out of DH, who is a pessimist and grump-up through and through. We're a nice compliment for each other. And it's funny because we see these traits in our daughters, too. Alex, ironically enough, has been nicknamed "giggles", just like Mommy, by her preschool teachers and friends. Yael, on the other hand, well... I won't get into what they call her

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

I think most of it is personality, but I also think some of it has to do with how I was raised.

My parents were both pretty resilient and strong people and always encouraged me to try my best and pick myself up when I failed. Growing up in a home with love and support was something I always took for granted. As an adult, I realize not everyone is that lucky and I think many people's unhappiness is related to the relationships in their lives and the complications that come from them.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

Yes, everyone has troubles and heartache, but dwelling on it is a choice.

Instead I choose to be grateful for what I have. When life stinks, I remind myself that I have a roof above my head, food on the table, and a loving family. Millions of people who have it FAR worse than I do can't say that. That perspective snaps me out of my "woe is me" funk.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

I rather be happy than sad so I choose to let go of what makes me unhappy.

My life, compared to my friends, isn't as golden - DH and I are responsible for his parents (his mom had a stroke and they had to go bankrupt), my parents rely on me for everything - including "fixing" my unambitious, PITA of a brother.

But I adore my DH, DD and dog. We have our health, good paying jobs and we make each other laugh. I would love more, but I'll take what I have.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

it's just how i was raised. I have parents that raised us to look on the bright side and appreciate all we have.

If you take away the dreaded commute, the bills, the extra pounds, the lack of cooking skills, the dry hair, this gigantic run-on sentance, and all the CRAP in my life and actually look at the "meat of the sandwich": I married my best friend since high school, I have an incredible little boy that calls me "Mommyyyyyyy!" with another incredible little boy growing in my tummy, I have amazing parents, my siblings are the greatest friends I could ever have, my Grandparents are alive and well, and I'm really surrounded by so much love, I have no reason to be bitter/sad/angry. I have ENOUGH

Message edited 4/4/2011 1:52:20 PM.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

i dont know any naturally happy people... lol i think i need more naturally happy people in my life!

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

from my experience any person that seems "totally happy/un-phased by life" are usually pretending & covering something up.

I've always been a pretty positive person but by no means am I ALWAYS happy & nothing bothers me.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

I am generally very positive. Things could always be worse. I am a Libra so by nature I always see the good and bad...I just choose to go with the good.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

My mom and dad are always happy, positive people, as is pretty much everyone in my family. I just think it's a genetic personality trait in my case.

Of course there are things that can put me in a majorly fowl mood for the day but it usually doesn't last longer than that.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

Hmm I think that I am a naturally happy person. I have no idea WHY, just am LOL

My dad is really positive. When I used to ask him how work was, he would respond BEAUTIFUL! I thought he loved his job, turns out he was just a good liar LOL

Also, my faith helps me to be happy -- not just happy but content. I am grateful for what is in my life and thank God for it daily. Prayer kind of gets all the negativity out of my life ( at least for a little while ).

I'm broke, I live in an attic, I won't see my DH until the fishing season is over and I have stretch marks. . . BUT I don't dwell on those things for more than a few minutes at a time and then I remember how incredibly BLESSED I am and then happiness just follows!

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

I think it's a combination:

I'm generally a very upbeat person - try not to dwell on the negative. I had an extremely difficult childhood so I kind of know it can never be that bad again. And I feel life is too short and there is always someone worse off than you so enjoy what you do have as much as you can.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

I have my moments of sadness and being anxious (part of being human) BUT I am generally a very happy person.


I am married to the love of my life, have 2 healthy kids and a roof over my head.

We don't have a lot of money. We don't have a lot of material things, but I feel we are truly lucky to have what we have.

All it takes is to turn on the news and see real hardships some people have in life. Step back and appreciate the little things that really make life amazing.

As I get older, i have less tolerance for those who wallow in misery. I have a few people in my life who are never happy. Just seriously never seem to have a good day or anything to be happy about. To me, it's sad. I try to surround myself with positive people who appreciate life as much as i do.

It's so important to do this. Being with happy people is infectious, in a good way, lol..

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

My personality and learning from the past

I had a hellish year that "ended" in june..

Within the time frame of a year, i..
Lost my grandpa
Lost my cousin to suicide
Lost a job I loved
Was dumped by my fiance 16 days before our wedding, and left with the responsibility of canceling it all

I've had heart surgery, GI surgery, and a thousand other medical problems

BUT

life goes on
the sun shines
things will not be the same a month from now, a year, etc.
it takes more energy to be angry/upset-who are these emotions hurting the most? you

SO

i smile
i do things i enjoy
i remind myself that life changes every minute of everyday

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

I think it is a combination of things.

My mom is that way. And I grew up in a very loving, happy home--so yes I think that had a big impact on my disposition.

I do not let things fester. If something bothers me I talk about it and try to resolve it (if I can of course).

I am not happy every second of my life, but honestly I am usually happy.

I also think I have a lot to be happy about which helps. I have an awesome DH, family, and friends. I am very blessed.

You ask about having an easy life...honestly in some ways yes I do think I have "an easy life". But much of that is my doing. Choices I made through the years enabled me to have a stress free life. Now of course you cannot prepare for illness or losing a job or anything like that. But MANY things in life you can plan and prepare and design.

Such as who you marry, who you surrond yourself with, living within your means, not engaging in dangerous behavior etc. Those are choices YOU make that determine the ease of your life. I made good choices where the above is concerned, if that makes sense.

Message edited 4/4/2011 4:35:18 PM.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

Rather than describing myself as a naturally happy person, i'd say I'm naturally optimistic.

I doubt it has anything to do w/ family because I grew up in what seems like a naturally pessimistic household.

There were two individuals who were a very big influence on me and through them I think I gained confidence to know that I really can handle any curves life throws my way.

Is my life perfect?
Nowhere near it but all around me are amazing opportunities to learn and steps I can take today to make tomorrow a better day.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

For me, it's being around certain people that make me happy. Good company, good conversation, good food...that puts me in a good mood!

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

I think a major reason why I'm always happy is because my Dad is always positive. I have never once in my entire life ever heard my Dad complain about anything in terms of himself. He has never even said that he has a headache, sore throat, etc.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

I have been thru more then my fair share- but I tend to be happier then most people

I think making it it thru such horrible things and managing to stay positive has made me not sweat the small stuff and go with the flow

I also refuse to surround myself with anyone who is negative now

life is def not easy for me- I work hard for everything- I have been down to my last dollar not knowing if I will be able to put gas in my truck to work- yet I always manage to make it thru

my motto is- if you are going thru hell - keep on going- you might get out before the devil even knows your there (it's a country song)

I am happy to say I made it thru and things are getting "easier" for me- I took a huge risk and started a career that 90% of the people who start fail at- and I am on my way to top producer status after less then 18 months- there is no way I would have made it if I wasn't a positive happy person!

I also rarely complain- if I don't like something- I change it- most people would rather complain IMO

It might have something to do with the way I was raised- I never thought about it- I did have a happy childhood- and I handled my mothers passing much better then my brother and sister

Message edited 4/4/2011 6:04:50 PM.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

I'm just happy. I don't work at it, I don't even think about it usually.

Last week, we were discussing school budgets at work and everyone was all gloomy about it, and I just couldn't be. I just think that things are going to work themselves out. Yes, bad things happen, but so do good things! And that's usually how I see things.

I also happen to have a pretty fantastic life, so that might have something to do with it.

I will say, with almost 100% certainty, that it had NOTHING to do with the environment I was raised in. My entire family is full of pessimists. I'm the lone optimist at family gatherings!

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

I am a happy person with very little complaints. But, I 100% work on that. I need to be happy. So if something is bothering me or bringing me down...it is changed quickly.

I would not call either one of my parents happy people...but they had 7 happy kids.
I moved away to be a sahm-that is how i knew i would be happy.
my brother works a flexible job allowing him to work one year and travel around the world the next on holiday.
i have a sister in a philadelphia convent.
a sister who lives in the only rain forest in the US with her little family.
the other 3 have moved away to make their happiness happen.

my dh...can be happy, but feels a dark cloud follows. that can sum up my mother as well. i never have that cloud over me...he does about 3-4 times a week.

Re: For those of you that are just naturally happy people

I am a very sick individual so instead of looking at life as a trainwreck I started looking at life as something one should be appreciative of since for me complications can arise. So I am sure I get on people's nerves but I figure why be the person who is known as the BEOTCH all the time.