Happiness 101 or Finding Bliss

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Finding Bliss!!

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My dear friends, the effervescent Jacqueline from 'Home' and the inspiring Ange of 'Signed by Ange' have kindly passed me the Happiness 101 award. I've also received this award from a sparkly new recently unwrapped blogging friend Rita from 'A Refocused Life'. My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to share with you '10 Things That Make Me Happy'.

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Now this is an interesting task for me. My happiness quota has been overshadowed by exhaustion lately. Over the past few years I have done very little but work, but last year blogging reminded me to take some time for the things that bring joy into my life, even if that time blogging was only a stolen hour in the middle of the night. I have also been lucky enough to have new constant companions who share their interests with me daily, remind and encourage me to yearn for more and bring me a good dose of laughter. Yes that would be YOU.

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So now I have droned on about living in the land of lack lustre, here are some things that remind me to pursue the art of Happiness! Sure, some can't be experienced daily, but I can reminisce to keep those dreams active goals.

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Travel

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Travel will set you free. Maybe the truth will too, but definitely travel. The first time I took an extended trip to Europe, something amazing happened. I found I could be whoever I wanted to be. Not a daughter, nor a sister, neither an employee, just me. What utter delightful freedom to find that maybe we are more than we present to the world in our daily life. Removed from the shackles of expectation, one can develop facets of personality that have not been evident before. Confidence, courage, spontaneity. Those that knows us well tend to place us in their box of expectation. The problem is, we live up to that expectation even when it really is less than our inherent potential. Travel forces us to step outside of those limitation and discover not just what is new without, but also within.

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Dreams can come true when one finds the Grand Canyon is more expansive and breathtaking than seen in images. Or the first glimpse of Venice which has you thinking you've stepped into some magical book of fairytales with turruted castles and moats. Straining your neck in the Sistine Chapel in order to take in the magnificence that adorns the ceiling. All these things, although hoped for, become miraculous when they exceed our expectations. Optimism soars. Then there are the pleasant surprises that come along the way. Generosity from strangers, the daily game of charades to make oneself understood, discovering the delight of new tastes in a small village eatery.

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It is mind blowing and leaves one with the feeling that anything is possible. Months after returning home that gloss seems to vanish so one must use whatever is available to remember the joy of travel and the happy stranger found in the mirror. And that is where photography comes in...

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Photography

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Photography has always brought me joy, but over the last year it has become a creative outlet for me. It has the ability to capture both the truth and the imagined. A snapshot of a moment holds more than just the image on the paper. I can look at my travel photos for hours on end and recall certain people, places and events that happened at the time of the photo. A reminder of the beauty seen and also the emotions experienced within the scene. Most of the photos I post here are just scans of travel photos I have take years earlier. Scratchy old photos that have been lugged around from place to place. Although technically average, to me they hold memories of my happiest moments and my dreams of further travel. By manipulating the images I can capture the emotion I felt in relation to the event, or just simply make it into something new and appealing to my eye. For me photography represents unlimited creativity. Although I'd love to be able to paint, one advantage photography has is it can be altered over and over without losing the original proof. I can rewrite my memories and create new dreams. Remembered and imagined Bliss and the joy of being creative!

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The Seaside

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The image at the top of this post was taken in an small town in southern Italy. I happened on this photo again today looking for some beach shots. It was so orange before I altered it you could not really appreciate much beyond those fabulous silhouettes and that single person expressing joy in the moment, but it sums up the joys of a day at the beach. I've always liked this unknown figure. To me this image represents the gorgeous feeling of sitting on the beach at the end of the day, the sun setting on the horizon and the dusk cooling your body after a long day of swimming and sunning. Fresh salty air misting the view and the sound of waves crashing on the shore and the sea's invigorating nature encouraging childish expression. What could be happier than that!! My favourite time of day is to take walks at dusk along the bay [sounds like a singles add!! ha ha]. The sky changes colour quickly as the sun is fading and provides a display of muted colours reflected from the sun and sea. Lights begin to flicker from the homes along the shore and the day takes a deep sigh of relief. Oh what could be better than long warm days spent by the sea?

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The Moon

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Arhhh, the Moon. Really, need I say more? [I can hear you all saying NO! but she will!! ha ha.. you're right!!]. I'm not sure why I feel such an attachment to the moon but I do. Astrologically speaking the moon represents water and emotions and for some this ebb and flow of the lunar phases has an emotional impact. I am one of those people. The moon is also said to represent female nurturing qualities, so I must be a child of La Mamma Luna. Always there to say goodnight and remind me of the rhythm of life with her daily routine. Then once a month, as if in reward for a month of daily duties, she shows her face, full and glowing, smiling down upon us. Yes the moon always makes me happy.

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Being on Vacation

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Well this is a given, but the happiness I feel at present not having to worry about weekday routines, is a thing of beauty!! No longer is Sunday night marred with the thought of Monday morning drudgery. My days can be spent in absolute laziness or whatever activity I choose. I have the luxury of knowing I can enjoy this respite for some time more and for me that spells ..

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H.A.P.P.I.N.E.S.S.!!!

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Well I have only shared five things with you today. Since I was sooo long winded with those I'll sign this off for now, so those of you who did make it to the end of this post will still be young enough to pursue your own path of happiness. I'll bring you five more later, but I still have some other awards to share and pass this one on to others..

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Footnote: I have no idea what the second sphere is to the right of the sun, some weird glitch in the film, I hadn't noticed it till today, but I like it's weirdness

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Image Source: All photography and editing by me [Being Ruby]

#1 Scalea - Italy 1996, #2 Venice - Italy 1996, #3 Tom Ugly's Bridge - Sydney [taken yesterday in the late afternoon], #4 Sans Souci - Sydney 2009, #5 The Moon - Sydney 2009, #6 Scalea- Italy 1996.

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