Happiness

Contentment With Your Life

Why are frogs so happy?

They eat whatever bugs them.

Introduction

My name is Karen Novak. I’m a licensed clinical social worker. For a long time I've been interested in the relationship between success and happiness. In my early thirties when I was beginning to acquire some career success, my happiness seemed to be going down. At the time I was married to my wonderful husband and I was working as a marketing analyst at a major corporation. The mental effort I went through dealing with the success/happiness problem is what brought me to make some major changes in my life. With my husband's support I became a social worker and this is work that I love.

If you are not as happy as you could be, it probably means that you are discontented with some area of your life.

It's worth exploring what causes people to feel discontented, what discontentment really is and where it comes from.

You might want to look at what might be causing you to feel dissatisfied at times. You may be able to identify some strategies to remedy those feelings.

Signs of Discontentment

Typical signs of discontentment:

• I have a hard time getting myself to do everyday tasks.
• I feel less confident.
• I second-guess the life choices I have made.
• I feel depressed or sad.
• I use food, alcohol, or drugs to feel better or to distract myself.
• I feel tired much of the time.
• I worry more than usual.
• I am easily bored.
• I feel restless, wishing I were somewhere else.
• I have frequent headaches, stomach upsets.
• I sleep too much or too little.
• I have bad dreams.
• I feel angry at myself and others.

Feeling dissatisfied with your life is not a pleasant experience, but it can lead you in a positive direction.

Feelings of discontent are telling you that you are off track. Your actions are out of synch with your values, goals, or talents.

Signs of Satisfaction

• Having a sense of accomplishment
• Feeling more confident and capable with each new experience
• Feeling time passing quickly
• Feeling in control of your life
• Feeling like you can be your authentic self
• Feeling focused
• Feeling deeply involved in something
• Having a sense of well-being
• Enjoying what you are doing
• Feeling excited every morning
• Feeling challenged

One of the reasons people begin to feel dissatisfied is that they have lost touch with their values. If you are not living your life in accordance with your values, you are almost certain to feel discontent.

Your childhood is another important place to look for clues about what is really important to you in life.

Remembering forgotten dreams may give us clues for what will bring us satisfaction now.

Fantasizing about your ideal future is a valuable way to get on track in that direction.

False beliefs that might make a person avoid happiness:

• I have to achieve something in order to be happy.
• If I get happy I’ll be disappointed.
• If I'm happy I'll let my guard down but if I stay depressed, I’ll be vigilant and stay safe.

Dr. Novak with Zoe and WingNut

I just love my dogs, I can’t resist showing another picture of them. Zoe is really smart. Every time I do something cute she gives me a treat.

Laughter is the best medicine

What’s the best thing to take when you’re run down?

----The license number of the car that hit you.