Comments on: Happiness Exists In The Middle

By: Elisa Doucette

Elisa Doucette — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:39:04 +0000

I quoted on someone else’s post of a similar topic the line from Beautiful Boy by John Lennon “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” You are so right, we can miss so much of the beauty focusing on what if instead of what is.

By: Jocelyn

Jocelyn — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:19:49 +0000

This is a really great post, and very true. Life doesn't have to be movie-worthy to be wonderful or meaningful, to have beautiful moments, perfect moments, and we should focus more on appreciating "average" life, rather than being constantly unhappy, striving to be at the head of the pack in all ways possible. You can miss a lot of amazing things that way. .-= Jocelyn´s last blog ..To Berlin and Back Again, Twice: Part One =-.

By: Ryan Stephens Marketing » Top 10 Gen Y Blogs: December 2009

Ryan Stephens Marketing » Top 10 Gen Y Blogs: December 2009 — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:30:45 +0000

[...] that means evaluating the beauty of vulnerability and relinquishing power or finding happiness in the middle, her hodge podge of assessments are always thought, and usually a bit [...]

By: Elisa Doucette

Elisa Doucette — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:30:48 +0000

Beth, you bring up something that I struggle with a lot too. Young people our age are doing amazing things and pushing forward and sometimes I look at them and think “Jeepers, what am I doing with my life?!”

But the reality is that their circumstances, realities, heck their LIVES are different than mine. It’s part of this world of Joneses…we’re all trying to keep up and missing what is already all around us. Good luck in your quest to accept and live happy in the middle…I’m there with you!

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:35:54 +0000

Great post! I definitely struggle with accepting the “middle.” the more i meet amazing young people doing amazing things, its hard to believe that we have to settle for what life brings. I think you bring up a great point. You can accept the middle while still trying to achieve things, and that is really the blessing.

Great great ideas here.

By: Elisa Doucette

Elisa Doucette — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:39:40 +0000

Thanks Sam, glad you enjoyed the post! I think it’s important the point that you bring up, and I’m glad you got from this. I’m not advocating for people to give up on the ideas of hopes and dreams. I think it is great for all of us to work on these, otherwise we will find ourselves in the “danger zone” of becoming stagnant and settling.

However we HAVE to be ready and willing to adjust our goals and dreams and also take in everything happening around us. Who knows what we might miss waiting and wishing for someday instead of realizing what we have TODAY. And maybe we’d be even more successful and better at the “alternate” dream than we ever would have been at the original.

By: Sam Karol

Sam Karol — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:35:23 +0000

Love this post! I'm totally with you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the middle. In fact, those who find happiness in the middle might be the smartest people around. It's great to set goals and work toward achieving your dreams, but not at the risk of missing out on life. I think all too often people get so caught up in making it to the top that they never take time to appreciate all that they have. We definitely spend way too much time comparing ourselves to others and measuring our success against theirs. I think embracing the middle is great advice, as long as we're willing to adapt our plans. Honestly, those who spend forever working towards one specific goal might miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime. Fabulous insight as usual! .-= Sam Karol´s last blog ..Giving Thanks, Gen Y Style =-.

By: Elisa Doucette

Elisa Doucette — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:52:16 +0000

PDiddy – And you have the most amazing cats ever. Don’t forget THAT part. Even if one has social anxiety disorder and the other has hot spot baldness.

You are very right, and I think a big piece of success lies in the happiness you feel from the accomplishment. It may not be what everyone ELSE thinks is successful, but what the hell does everyone else matter?! I’m definitely proud of you and Mom and all you’ve accomplished in your successes.

By: Elisa Doucette

Elisa Doucette — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:45:01 +0000

Amy – That Jerry Maguire quote brings to mind my favorite “success” quote…Success: To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded! ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I know it’s a long one, but it really IS my favorite. Why don’t we have it hanging somewhere here? I’m gonna have to fix that…

I really enjoyed the rest of your insight, too. Without the ups and the downs we don’t learn some of the most important lessons about ourselves. So you’ve gotta keep moving and trying for life beyond the absolute middle line/status quo.

By: Elisa Doucette

Elisa Doucette — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:27:21 +0000

Jeremy – That’s a good point, I was a bit perplexed on the retweets. I’ve didn’t really think about the holiday weekend!

Even though roller coasters have amazing loop-de-loops and scream-inducing falls most of the ride is getting up to the tops and falling down to the lows…the middle of the two planes. I’d say that you are in that fantastic place in the middle. You note you aren’t always wishing for the highs or living in the lows, but living each day to it’s fullest. Which is exactly what I’m hoping most people will do.