Picture this: You have found your beach, and settled into your routine. You wake up in the morning, walk/run your beach, stop by your favorite beach shack for a little brunch. You go back to your humble abode, write for a few hours. Then back to the beach, relax and watch the waves while doing a little reading. You eat a great dinner with fresh ingredients and head back to the beach for another sunset. Followed by a stop at your favorite brewhouse. The next day, you do it all again.
Happy?
Damn right! … for awhile.
But eventually, even if it is the best beach in the world, the best food, the best beer… eventually it would get old. You have your 50% of happiness your genes allow. You have the 10% by putting yourself in the best circumstances. But what about that 40% of happiness that comes from actions/activities. If you do the same thing, every day, over and over, you are minimizing your 40%.
We thrive on variety. That is why every day, we do things differently. We have seven beaches within ~10 minutes of us. And dozens and dozens within a short drive. So many different things to do at each. So many restaurants to sample. Writing when I feel like it, not writing when I don’t. Maximizing happiness. Creating happiness.
But what if you are still working? Still raising a family? Living in a place less magical?
You still have your 50% of happiness that your genetic makeup allows. You still have a portion of the 10%, maybe a great deal of it assuming you love your job and family. And the 40%? It is within your power! Chose actions/activities wherever you are, whenever you can. Find a way to do things a little differently at work. Find a different path to go on your run. Try new recipes for your meals. Seek out new places to explore.
Creating happiness is still up to you, wherever you are.