What are the most important variables affecting a “happy” state of mind? For me personally, the order below is in order of importance. Most of our time is spent amongst the following areas when combining all 3 variables. There are of course different strokes for different folks. Many may have these 3 variables in a different order according to their own weight of importance.
- Outside Environment (once out of dwelling, city-surrounding area)
This includes but not limited to; scenery, places to frequent and their convenience of location, transportation distance to said places and transport capability, workplace options and proximity, dwelling options and proximity, as well as attitude of people in the area.
2. Work Environment (actual workplace environment)
This includes but not limited to; proximity to dwelling, scenery within workplace, actual physical and mental labor, attitude of people in the immediate workplace including customers and co-workers.
3. Inside Dwelling (home or apartment)
This includes but not limited to; privacy within dwelling, scenery from dwelling and proximity to work, sounds within immediate area, and space allowed for movement within dwelling.
When looking at these different aspects of our lives, little to no attention is given at first glance. What I propose though is a more careful examination must take place! I personally believe these factors that have an immediate effect throughout our daily interactions, heavily influence our state of mind every moment of everyday. When you think about state of mind being affected throughout the entirety of the day, they combine to create a state of being I believe. This is an important differentiation from just a “state of mind.” When your state of mind is affected throughout the entire day, week, and year, you are now creating a state of being because the variables above are inescapable and always present! Sure, you can leave for the day, but you are transitioning from one to the other for the most part without respite. It is the combination of the above that create your state of being. I do believe that these things are not only not thought out thoroughly but can be the undoing of many other important aspects of your very life!
In my experience as well as others I have spoken to, the carelessness of consideration pertaining to the above 3, has absolutely derailed the best of life’s intentions. The saddest part of this conundrum is that it is easy to mistakenly blame other behaviors and variables instead of seeing the actual problem that was existing all along.
It is probably amazing to most that I don’t have family-based relationships in the list pertaining to achieving a happy state of mind. Let me explain why that is. This is because if careful consideration is taken concerning the above 3 aspects of daily life, your relationships including marriage will come much easier than without. Let’s say that 2 out of the 3 variables are good but the third is not so great. I promise that your relationship will still be way better than if all 3 were in the proverbial shitter! This is one fact very apparent to me, ignored by many.
How many “friends” or family do you know that have never particularly enjoyed the area that they reside in? I’m damn sure, plenty! Then on top of not enjoying the surrounding area and their dwelling, they will choose to drive an hour to work! I mean seriously, just hate your life ahead of time! This is a recipe for disaster in so many ways. If family doesn’t fall apart, the individual can still self-destruct themselves causing a chain reaction affecting those who were possibly happy within their own state of daily being. Again, maybe work was good for one family member, but they too didn’t care for the surrounding area and their home. Well now, the negative work environment of the first family member is bringing the second down through the after-effect behaviors being brought home by the former! Even in the event of a workplace being near the home, the work environment for one can still be terrible causing home issues within a relationship. If possible, all 3 variables above must be chosen only after heavy consideration is taken. Work is also not permanent; you can change jobs instead of letting it affect you and others negatively!
Sometimes the forest cannot be seen for the trees as the saying goes. I believe this is game-changing knowledge unknown to most. I do believe that if all 3 of these aspects of daily life are thought out carefully, happiness can truly be an achievable state of mind for the majority of your life. Too many times things will seemingly fall apart and start to go south without ever understanding why when it should have been very apparent to all parties involved. Your environment is everything! It is what you are surrounded with every day you exist! Having things to do within close proximity where you choose to reside while being surrounded with a decent group of fellow citizens goes a mighty long way. Disappointment may always be present and waiting for you, but everything can fall neatly into place when these 3 variables are “solved” for first in the equation of achieving happiness!