Noticing Happiness

Kurt Vonegut died a couple weeks ago. I read a couple of his books in college, but don't remember much of them. After he died I saw part of interview he did with Charlie Rose. He said something really smart. Happiness is  nots constant state of being, but moments sprinkled throughout your days. The secret is to recognize the happy moments. Like waterskiing across Whitefish Lake at sunset. Or laying in bed with your daughter while she speculates about how the pull-string winds up the music box inside of her teddybear. Or making good food to feed your favorite people.

Comments

[Robert Payne]

Check out his last book - A Man Without a Country - short read. I think he was most happy when he was unhappy about something.

[Brad Summerhill]

Vonnegut experienced the hell of Dresden in WWII. That stuck with him his whole life. Yet I do think he was able to find, or to create, moments of happiness. For someone who's experienced trauma, I don't think happiness can ever be a constant. I know other vets who do very well maintaining a balance, but I don't think they experience happiness as a constant. Does anyone? Charley Rose is a horrible interviewer, by the way. Only he can have a dull conversation with the country's most intriguing artists, leaders and politicians. And throw in some stupid questions to boot.