It's not here, but doesn't mean I can't talk about it. We alluded to this in the previous blog. There is a great book called "The Geography of Bliss." I am not going to take the ideas of this and put them as my own, yet I will reference it. This is great book for any one who loves to travel or has lived many different places. I feel that many of us fit into this category. With that being stated, you should look for this book (if you are located in a third world country, I can get a copy sent to you).
This book references the different reasons of what makes a country happy. It discusses how it is not always the riches, the hardest working or the laziest places that are the "happiest." It goes through 10 "happiest" countries and examines what he thinks that makes their people bliss.
It made me think a lot about what truly makes a person think and feel bliss. One of my thoughts is that it is the amount of sunshine a place receives. I like to use the word receive there because it's not that just the fact the sun shines yet how much the people are able to enjoy it. In Belize, the sun shines amazing. The people that are receiving that sun shine are regarded as happy. Utah, although cold, had a huge amount of sunshine. The people that felt this, seemed to be happy. I can remember days of March, when it warm up over 32, the restaurant would open the deck. I loved serving on the deck. It didn't even feel like work really, just a day in the sun hanging out getting people drinks and over priced but amazing food.
I think there are many other factors that come into play with bliss. The book does continue to drive toward the fact it's not just the simple "vacation" spots that have happiness. It goes on to describe the fact that people need to have purpose as well. Laying around on a beach all the time won't make us as happy as we think. I agree, people do need purpose.
It is amazing how some Americans believe that since we have the opportunity to make as much money as possible in this nation that we are the happiest. This illusion that every one has the same opportunity to get that 4 billion dollar pay check. It is funny how that countries that have a more equal balanced country are rated as a happier place. A country were people are awarded for doing the things they love. What an amazing concept?
All that aside, Pikeville does lack in the sunshine department. At least downtown has seemed so far. This is mainly due to the fact that it takes the sun to come back over the mountain on one side and gets blocked quickly by another mountain on the other side. There is a bar downtown that is beside the bank we use which is a large US Bank building. The outside is complete glass/mirror type of structure. When the sun is going, this creates a huge amount of shine. I have decided this why I frequent this place. So when I head down to Champs Sports Bar (I have already gotten to know the owner, he shares his court side basketball tickets with me) Natasha asks, Why are you here? I think I will reply "It's for the sunshine, Hun!"
But really, Why are you here?
This book references the different reasons of what makes a country happy. It discusses how it is not always the riches, the hardest working or the laziest places that are the "happiest." It goes through 10 "happiest" countries and examines what he thinks that makes their people bliss.
It made me think a lot about what truly makes a person think and feel bliss. One of my thoughts is that it is the amount of sunshine a place receives. I like to use the word receive there because it's not that just the fact the sun shines yet how much the people are able to enjoy it. In Belize, the sun shines amazing. The people that are receiving that sun shine are regarded as happy. Utah, although cold, had a huge amount of sunshine. The people that felt this, seemed to be happy. I can remember days of March, when it warm up over 32, the restaurant would open the deck. I loved serving on the deck. It didn't even feel like work really, just a day in the sun hanging out getting people drinks and over priced but amazing food.
I think there are many other factors that come into play with bliss. The book does continue to drive toward the fact it's not just the simple "vacation" spots that have happiness. It goes on to describe the fact that people need to have purpose as well. Laying around on a beach all the time won't make us as happy as we think. I agree, people do need purpose.
It is amazing how some Americans believe that since we have the opportunity to make as much money as possible in this nation that we are the happiest. This illusion that every one has the same opportunity to get that 4 billion dollar pay check. It is funny how that countries that have a more equal balanced country are rated as a happier place. A country were people are awarded for doing the things they love. What an amazing concept?
All that aside, Pikeville does lack in the sunshine department. At least downtown has seemed so far. This is mainly due to the fact that it takes the sun to come back over the mountain on one side and gets blocked quickly by another mountain on the other side. There is a bar downtown that is beside the bank we use which is a large US Bank building. The outside is complete glass/mirror type of structure. When the sun is going, this creates a huge amount of shine. I have decided this why I frequent this place. So when I head down to Champs Sports Bar (I have already gotten to know the owner, he shares his court side basketball tickets with me) Natasha asks, Why are you here? I think I will reply "It's for the sunshine, Hun!"
But really, Why are you here?
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I have always thought I am here for a reason; I am here to be of service, I am here to love, and I am here to learn. I am here because I am here. It is what is is, and it is what I make of it. We make it all up. Isn't it great?
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