Comments on: Work stuff that makes me happy

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:20:04 +0000

It is not surprising that hanging out with happy people makes you happy.It carries over in to all aspects of life.Ask successful people who they hang out with and the answer will be other successful people.

By: jenx67

jenx67 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:12:53 +0000

Work stuff that makes me happy – it would have to be having that productive connection with creative, brilliant minds. All egos are checked at the door and everyone sitting at the big table is genuinely equally amazed by everyone else. More listening going on than talking over people. It's difficult to build such a team. I've witnessed this only a handful of times in my career, and once was during the worst of situations – a newspaper staff scrapping an entire weekly paper and rebuilding it the day and day after the Oklahoma bombing.

By: Sara

Sara — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:38:45 +0000

That's funny — I read both those articles when I was at my parents' house over Thanksgiving since they subscribe to TIME. I thought the Michelle Rhee article was really interesting, and I LOOOOOOOVE Joel Stein. This article was a happy ending to my day, so thanks.

By: You’re Only as Confident as the People Around You | The Confidence Guy

You’re Only as Confident as the People Around You | The Confidence Guy — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:32:48 +0000

[...] you’re surrounded by unhappy people then you’ll be more inclined to [...]

By: John

John — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:11:16 +0000

Vera Dela Cruz writes:

> I often worry about those less fortunated.

I often worry about those who say they are bloggers and then use words like fortunated.

By: Spend Time With Your Friends - They’re A Positive Influence « Patient Centric Healthcare

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:30:08 +0000

[...] smoking as part of your network earlier. Now, in Penelope Trunk's blog, she talks about how your friends can make you happy and that happiness is linked to better health. Interesting, she also says that if you say you are [...]

By: Lane

Lane — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:46:21 +0000

The great thing about the article with the not-quite husband is that it appears that both individuals are behaving as adults dealing with divorce. No need to undermine each other, no need to bash the other. I am so tired of the perception of divorce=failure as a person. Most of the time, it's two people who no longer work well together, despite really trying. Why is it still viewed so negatively? Why is it better to remain in a loveless, unhappy situation that is good for neither the parents nor the children?

I agree we should be happy about that article. I'm happy too, and happy you shared it!

Here are some more resources regarding anger/happiness: angry/negative people make you even more unhappy, and being happy helps you think more logically. Kathy Sierra's post on this, containing a LOT of good linkage about happiness as well:
http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/2006/04/angrynegative_p.html

Jill Bolte Taylor (TED) saying you can choose happiness (throught the manufactured experience of spirituality) by using the right side of your brain. http://exponential.steelbuddha.net/2008/05/28/spirituality-is-it-all-in-your-head/

And then the balance of it all – is there a point at which we become happier by embracing our pain and sadness? http://exponential.steelbuddha.net/2008/06/19/is-this-too-emo-for-you/

(and on how to fix America's schools – I think Ken Robinson has some good points/questions to consider in his TED talk: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html)

By: Seth

Seth — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:24:28 +0000

As I read your post, the little accountant in the back of my mind said "yep, Penelope was able to stuff comments about her marriage into yet another blog entry."

Then I arrived at the last section and was reminded of why I find you so compelling at times: Here's a brilliant woman with valuable insight, an irreverent sense of humor, and the ability to convey thoughts in bright words…who still feels the need to create a false sense of community by thrashing perfectly legitimate topics with facts about her failed relationships? When do we get to hear from the business professional who no longer needs to feel like the prettiest girl at the water cooler?

You might find even more reasons to be happy that way. The highly-medicated and married guys won't chase you as much. It sucks, I know. But the quality you'll be in a position to interact with should make up for it!

Seth

By: Cinthia

Cinthia — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:38:06 +0000

I work at Biltmore House in Asheville, NC. My whole big impressive job is taking people on tours, standing post in the house and answering ten million questions about the house, the current owner (grandson of builder, George), etc. They want to know the gossip and the architecture. I'm a City Planner by trade but would rather work at Biltmore. And, the reason is as your article stated. I'm a pretty dour person by nature and I figured out that working in a City where diversity is touted as the be all end all only made me more dour (ever try to please two completing opposing groups?). So, I chose Biltmore where everyone is goofily(?) happy. The tourists, the workers (our guest surveys show something like 97% satisfaction), the housekeeping staff, floral. Its like a big happy pill. I go to work not happy, but I leave happy. My fmaily is happier as well.

By: Jean Gogolin

Jean Gogolin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:33:44 +0000

Thanks, Penelope. Great post. And I love @Natalie's "living generously." Now there is something to aim for.