Happy

[Lurch]

The local University, Southern Utah U., has a series of lectures each year by various lecturers. Last weeks was by Roko Belic, who produced the movie 'Happy', as found on Netflix. I don't have Netflix, so can not comment on the movie, but his hour lecture was very interesting. His bio states he spent a year backpacking around the world and 6 years getting material for his movie. He stated that from his experiences he found two key elements to being happy.

Bear with me while I run with this. His first condition was to travel the world and not just travel but do so as the locals do. Don't rent a car, take a bus or walk. Do it for weeks or months, not days. This sounds suspiciously what this forum is all about, so those who have already traveled the Camino must belong in Disneyland, the happiest kingdom.

Secondly, he emphasized the 'giving' aspect for happiness. Helping others, the basis of the forum, is evidently good for the soul as is assisting other pilgrims on the trail by medical, carrying a pack or just a smile.

Just thought I should pass along the 'secret' to happiness, which, it seems, most of the forum members have already found.

 

[Icacos]

When I tell people I hope to continue to have the luxury of not ever needing to own a car, they can't quite get their head around it, but I think those who have gone on camino will know what I mean. Eschew cars, and only walk (with backpack) or take the bus, and one's life can slow down to a most blessed pace. (I admit, that not everyone can afford that luxury of not depending on / owning a car.) Since going on camino, I find great contentment in wearing my walking shoes; they are pretty much the only shoes I wear and, if I had my druthers, they'd be the only shoes I own.

As to the 'giving' aspect of happiness; whatever one gives, one gets back tenfold.

I'll look for 'Happy' on Netflix.

 

[simeon]

totally agree. I would love to be able to abandon the car, its stresses, obligations and responsibilities. One of the joys I experience on the Camino is the simplicity of it and getting away from all the stuff both possessions and cares of life

 

[susanawee]

I too have no car and have not had one for many years now......sometimes I have to rely on others who do have cars, to get me to point A or B if necessity demands, but, in the main, I always take the train or bus - I enjoy, as I did so much on the Camino, people watching and people interaction, and am now, at 69, also trying to learn to ride a bicycle.......life is so very much simpler and less complicated this way.......and, I LOVE my backpack and all that it represents....

 

[Lurch]

I didn't mean to get too sappy in my original post. I was just encouraged to find out that someone who has spent years trying to determine what makes people happy ended up with the same formula as this forum. BTW, this week seems to be International Happiness Week.