Tag: Happiness

Esther Perel explains in her interview with Tim Ferriss that her parents were Holocaust Survivors, but that they didn’t let the Holocaust destroy their spirit. They enjoyed their lives. Perel says that the Holocaust Survivors she knew fell into two camps, those who didn’t die, and those who were living life. Those who didn’t die felt guilty that they hadn’t died when so many others had.

Gretchen Rubin says in her book, The Happiness Project that she’s going to savor her happiness, because she knows that life ebbs and flows and happiness that we might currently enjoy won’t last forever.

I have felt guilty at times for being an American and for having life as easy as we do – for not living in a war-torn country, for being a woman who can enjoy so many rights and freedoms. Things like fresh drinking water, shoes, and  a roof over our heads come so easily.

But the pain I’ve felt in my life has been real and deep, and during one of the last episodes I decided that I’m not going to feel guilty during the happy times any longer. I’m going to enjoy them, because life can take crazy turns, instant turns, and you never know what can happen.

Maybe this is a case for gratitude. Instead of feeling guilty about being happy, I can be grateful when things come a little easier or when there are happy moments to be treasured, and then treasure them.