Happiness #8 Volunteer and participate in charitable work.

If you want to help yourself, help others by volunteering or enlist to a charitable organization. You will feel you do something valuable, and you will see the benefits of doing good deeds.

Voluntary community work. The concept is apparently very Norwegian. Spring 2004, the Norwegian word "dugnad "  was voted the national word, in a slightly informal competition in the TV show  “Typisk Norsk” (great series on NRK, I liked it).

I have to admit I get a little stale taste in my mouth when talking about Voluntary community work. Voluntary work is somehow something we do when forced. For some reason I don’t understand why it sits so deep with to enroll voluntarily community work. Voluntary work is so social! It’s nice and usually both coffee, tea and good conversation are a big part of the task. Things that I otherwise would be annoyed about are getting done (I don’t like garbage, worn paint, filthy windows or any other signs of decay. It is unnecessary, because it takes very little effort to get it fixed.
Voluntary community work is usually in our own interest. It is our children who do sports, go on trips, have a nice neighborhood with playground, At the end of the day someone will have to do a lot of odd jobs, that would otherwise not have been done, if noone made an effort. It may be tedious work, but work that makes everything so much nicer for everybody. I know it’s not right to count on someone else to do it, so I really should participate more. I know.

Non-governmental organizations have little resources, they depend on maintenance, modifications and upgrading to be done for free, or nearly for free. Costs must be limited to a minimum and users need to step up to keep the activities up. There is so much evidence that being involved in all these organizations soon become more of a lifestyle. I need to ask myself then: In order to secure my boys play sports, am I willing to change my lifestyle? It is both rewarding and useful, even though it’s an ungrateful job. Yet it’s an ungrateful job many do. In many ways it’s like the job of being a cleaner: I can’t see myself doing it, but I am ever so thankful that someone is doing it. Yeah, I know, it is a dilemma.

To correct the impression a tiny bit: I'm really good at buying tickets. I buy from most everybody coming to my door selling... when I have cash (they don’t carry around apparatuses for cash dispenser card… yet). I also pay for the Christmas cards, gift tags and calendars I get sent every Christmas from organizations training guide dogs, the handicapped artists painting with their mouth and feet, rescue company and a few other dedicated organizations. I pay my way out to have a good conscience. It may not taste as good, but I feel good enough to not be ashamed of myself and my effort. I tick off the list and feel ok after all.

I have no idea what the right answer to what happiness really is, but ... although I shiver and tremble with freezing cold (perhaps not that strange as it is, after all, winter, and the wind has been whistling cold and hard for over a month now) spring is already well underway within me. I thaw and feel warmer inside, and although this is not the correct definition to what happiness is, I am sure it applies?

Happiness #9 Grant happiness time.

Happiness comes and goes through life. Many experience a decline around the age of 40. This may have something to do with the thoughts of your career didn’t turn out quite the way you imagined. The moment you accept how things turned out, it is easier to get happy again. Grant yourself time to be happy. Most people have a tendency to be happier when they get older, uncertain of what reason

I can’t say that I have ever been really unhappily, although I have often been so depressed it borders on depression, getting older has made things better and has been a blessing to me.

I tilted 40, is well on the way to 50, and life just gets better and better. Now, my career isn’t all that, but I have a job I think is pretty OK. It’s often mentally challenging, but that’s not necessarily negative. It keeps me young at heart ... At least that’s what I like to imagine.

I have settled down more, accepted my life and become more established. Not only in terms of material things, but also as a person. The chase I felt urging me on when I was young (not even sure what I chased after) is gone. Now I rush more to keep house, home and family in a good drive. I have more peace of mind, and it makes me more harmonious, because I have set my values ​​and my morals. Maybe we are talking about a lifestyle that works for me, and therefore gives me enough of a challenge for me to feel I am realizing myself.

To realize myself have become more important than spending all my free time trying to look good. It never quite worked for me... I don’t really look like a tragic case, either. But I do not use too much time on my appearance. Still, I have to admit I yesterday did something completely new, I've never done this before and it's so amazing: I bought a set of false nails at the pharmacy! And they are (as far as I am concerned) amazing!

BUT. Now that I‘ve turned 40, my employer desided to remove all parking spaces for cars, mid-life crisis arises and since I have been mother of young children for 18 years, I wanted a venue that only had room for me and my wallet. All this happens about the same time, and I meet these days making an old, secret dream come true: to ride heavy motorcycle! I contacted a driving school and said I have zero experience with bikes, I’ve barely sat on a motorcycle before, but now I want you to teach me how to ride one.

So he did, and he’s still at it. Driving hours are somewhat sporadic, both because the season is short here in Norway, and hours have been canceled / postponed due to schedule, substitute lessons, sensor assignments ... the bike was condemned and the driving school must buy a new one (no, it wasn’t me). It’s okay, though; I enjoy myself every time I have driving lesson. Challenging myself with squiggly and sneaky driving and the feeling of pride when I ride flawlessly and get some praise. I'm not too old to appreciate praise from experts, it warms.

Being 40+, established, children are more independent and I have an account for riding lessons... just the thought that there is something new and exciting on hold in front of me is merely beautiful!

I have no idea what the right answer to what happiness really is, but ... although I shiver and tremble with freezing cold (perhaps not that strange as it is, after all, winter, and the wind has been whistling cold and hard for over a month now) spring is already well underway within me. I thaw and feel warmer inside, and although this is not the correct definition to what happiness is, I am sure it applies?