On the question of happiness...

I’ve spent a bit of time lately thinking about what might make me happy in life. It’s not so deep a question as it may first appear. It’s actually pretty simple, at least in my case. Since there’s no single answer, this question becomes a sort of dynamic inquiry which changes from hour to hour, day to day, year to year. For example, had you asked me yesterday at work (when I was operating on approximately 4 hours of sleep) what would make me happy, I would have answered very quickly, “Going home and going to sleep.” Yet by the time I got home yesterday, happiness had changed into a couple hours of downtime and a hot bath. When I was in college, happiness was graduating, a real job, and no homework. After college, happiness was being in college. So I was thinking about this and I decided that part of what I’m lacking right now is a more permanent goal to ensure that I am happy in this life. I need to start thinking long-term, in other words. Sure, a cappuccino and a table at Aroma’s is happiness to me and probably always will be, but it’s not the sort of thing that can keep me happy for a lifetime. So what is, then? I have come up with the following:

1. Winning a multi-million dollar lottery


2. Finding the person that would marry me (and happily so, I might add) and vice versa


3. moving to a better city

#1: Winning a multi-million dollar lottery
It’s not that I think money equals happiness, but money certainly does equal opportunity. And opportunity to do whatever I want without limitations would definitely make me happy. For example, in my case, the following scenarios could only improve my life (the following are only examples, and in no way represent the only possible scenarios that such money could bring to me):
I could build, decorate, and own my own house(s)
If I wrecked my car on a Thursday, I could buy a new one a couple hours later
I could travel wherever and whenever I wanted
I would always choose private businesses over large corporations even though it costs more to do that
I could have as many horses as I want
I would become quadrilingual (English, Italian, Spanish, and French)
I would take voice lessons
I would have a personal assistant to pay all my bills, remind me of my appointments and engagements, and keep my life organized
I would go skiing. All the time.
I could pay someone to play with my hair to put me to sleep each night
I would have a personal masseuse

#2: Finding the person that would happily marry me and vice versa
You know how something can happen to you, and depending on who you’re with at the time it could be good or bad? I think when you marry well, that’s probably the case. I’m sure that out there is someone who has the ability to make me laugh, make me think, and make me happy despite all the misfortune that comes my way.

#3: Moving to a better city
I don’t know what I’m looking for in a city, but I know it’s out there and that finding it will significantly increase my happiness quotient. I figure that if I am not married within the next couple years (thereby satisfying #2), I will start moving around until I find that mecca of a city I desire. It’s not just the city that I’m wanting, but instead a kind of lifestyle that I can’t seem to achieve here in the Midwest. I guess it boils down to the fact that if I’m not settled down, then I want to be as free as possible and see/do all the things that you can’t do when you’re committed to someone else.

So what's the conclusion? I guess I need to start playing the lottery, dating a bunch, and traveling so I know where to go when the dating and lottery-playing don't work out.