So...last night my wife & I (and some friends) were having some drinks late at night, and we got into a Bacardi-induced philosophical discussion regarding "happiness".

Are you happy with your life?
Would the 15-year-old YOU be happy with YOU NOW?
What are you doing to make your childhood dreams a reality?

The point being argued was whether or not you sacrificed your childhood dreams to conform to what society deems to be appropriate, and are you really happy with your life or are you just deluding yourself into thinking that you're happy with your life?

I did mention that there was alcohol involved, did I not?

Anyway, my stance on the issue is that at 38 years old, I am a much different person than I was at 15, and since my dreams today are totally different than what they were at 15, then YES I am happy (to a great extent) and NO I am not deluding myself, I am simply more MATURE.

Anyway, I'll spare you the discussion that went on in my backyard, but I'll pose the question to YOU now;

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR LIFE?
WOULD THE 15-YEAR-OLD YOU BE HAPPY WITH THE YOU NOW?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY?
(my addition) HAVE YOUR DREAMS CHANGED?

The 15yr old me would be, like,"No.fuckin'.way. DUDE! You are THE MAN!!!"

Don't get me wrong I haven't nearly reached my goals or my dreams but I've come a long way...

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR LIFE?

I was going to immediately say "no" but then I start to think of all things I have accomplished in spite of obstacles in the way. I need to fix me and deal with the profound sadness I feel a lot of the time. And be healthier.


WOULD THE 15-YEAR-OLD YOU BE HAPPY WITH THE YOU NOW?

The 15 year year old me would be happy and surprised. I wanted to go to college back then and am finally doing it over 20 years later. The 15 year old me would have never had kids though.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY?

I tend to lose weight and pick it back up again. I'm down 15 lbs. and I want to lose 80 more by graduation. I am also back in counseling trying to get to the heart of why I do what I do and to learn how to break cycles.

School. One more year to go!!! I never really wanted to be rich but have enough to not have to ever ask anyone for any help. I have 18 years of experience in my field and with my degree next year, I'll be able to write my own ticket.

(my addition) HAVE YOUR DREAMS CHANGED?

Just a little. I always wanted to have a career where I help people. I was going to be a lawyer. I am still considering law school after graduation. For now though, I work to try to protect people's life savings.
[Edited 5/25/09 22:12pm]

PurpleJedi said:

Generally speaking, yes. There are things I'd like to change. There are little things that nag at me. I'll be chaning most of the things I'm not happy about relatively soon. so I gues I'm mostly happy.



The 15 year old me would slap me silly and say "YOU'RE STILL WORKING THERE? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO US!? I'M GOING TO KILL MYSELF NOW AND PUT US BOTH OUT OF OUR MISERY." Which would be legitimate. But I'd have to explain to him that he really did grow to like the place/job/people and that it was really very good for him and his work ethic.





I don't bother with "dreams"... because I suppose my "dream" is just to live a simple life the way that I want to and to be fulfilled by that and to be happy with it.

PurpleJedi said:

Yes!


No. But do we really care about that? With age comes wisdom!


Treating myself to a therapy appointment every two weeks; standing up for myself; learning not to devote any energy to things I can't control. ...For starters.


Most definitely! And thank God (if you're out there)!

when I was young I dreamt of being a rockstar and designing my own record covers. I married the rockstar instead and make his CD sleeves. Same thing nearly!

Travelling is something I've discovered in later years that I get a huge thrill out of. It gives me something really cool to look forwards to and I spend many happy hours planning for it.

I also have come to the conclusion that people and experiences are the things I like the best, not THINGS. So I've wished for tickets to things when I'm asked what I want for my birthday and stuff - like the airshow, IMAX or a ride on the southern star I still get excited like a little kid over this stuff and holding on to that childlike quality is doing it for me

ZombieKitten said:

When I was young, I dreamt of being a rock star and designing come-splotches on groupies and a room for the humongous TV I was going to buy with my record royalties.

Ah, youth...

PurpleJedi said:

my dreams may not all be the same as they were when i was 15 but i'm pretty much the kind of person i imagined myself to be. even though i'm still a work in progress i've completed a fair number of the items on my bucket list. i'd say i'm reasonably happy with my life.

XxAxX said:

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR LIFE?
Some aspects, yes, other aspects no.

WOULD THE 15-YEAR-OLD YOU BE HAPPY WITH THE YOU NOW?
Probably. I don’t remember having “dreams” other than wanting to live Uptown and thinking it would be cool to work in a record store. Oh, and I always wanted to travel.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY?
I really don’t have “dreams” for what my life should be like. Not in the traditional sense anyway. I tend to take things as they come and make the best of whatever I have to. I have short-term goals like traveling somewhere I haven’t been before or buying a house this year. But I don’t really think or plan beyond that.

(my addition) HAVE YOUR DREAMS CHANGED?
Not really. I live Uptown and traveled a fair bit and I still think it would be cool to work in a record store. lol.


I look back at my life and think I'm very fortunate for the life I've lived. I've never gone hungry, always had a roof over my head, learned to live on an income of about $25 a week for an entire summer, have traveled all over the US and Europe, have seen every band/show I've ever wanted to see live and have worked hard myself for every last bit of anything I've got. I've got great friends and 2 lovely kitties I take care of. I've spent nights dancing under the stars, I've had a gorgeous man whisper in my ear that he only wants to please me and I've had the most delicious fruit tart from a bakery in Italy shared with 4 friends on the side of a road with 1 plastic spoon.
All in all it's pretty good.

CarrieMpls said:

Such a cute post..esp that last bit

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR LIFE?

Kind of...though, I feel like my life is just beginning now

WOULD THE 15-YEAR-OLD YOU BE HAPPY WITH THE YOU NOW?

OH YES! At 15, I was pathetic! The 15 yr old me, would be surprised at me now

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY?

staying open-minded, trying to be more assertive, and most importantly working and saving!

HAVE YOUR DREAMS CHANGED?

nope...my dreams are simple. I need to be happy, and self-reliant

All very awesome posts!!!

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR LIFE? so and so... sometimes yes but then i come back to reality and change opinion!

WOULD THE 15-YEAR-OLD YOU BE HAPPY WITH THE YOU NOW?maybe! as a 15 years old girl i used to be very comfused and crazy, and i didn't imagine that i would be a university student because i'm too lazy for studying! unexpected is the best

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY? i try everyday for every cnance and i never give up!

HAVE YOUR DREAMS CHANGED?not at all!
[Edited 5/27/09 5:02am]

I'm very content. but I wish I had more money so I didn't have to work and could travel some.