Cup of warm tea and cat napping on your lap. Perhaps one of the few instances where comfort DOES equal happiness. by Christina Betch
I am often uncomfortable living on the river, but I am happy. I am in pain. Sitting for so long in one position with a huge bag between my legs is not my favorite. I have dealt with hordes of mosquitos, biting flies, leeches, sand fleas, and deer flies. I’ve switched out muddy campsites for sandy campsites. But I am happy. I feel connected, I feel purpose-driven, I feel satisfied every day.
I think our culture often confuses comfort with happiness. “Standard of living” is what drives us. But why? We can do with so much less, and I am finding that I am so much happier surrounded by the sounds of lapping water and crickets than I ever have been surrounded by the sounds of city sirens or the tempered air of climate control. Of course some comforts do provide satisfaction. My favorite comforts, I have learned, are:
What are your must-have comforts? What conveniences do you think you could live without, and do you think it might even make you happier to live without them?
I think our culture often confuses comfort with happiness. “Standard of living” is what drives us. But why? We can do with so much less, and I am finding that I am so much happier surrounded by the sounds of lapping water and crickets than I ever have been surrounded by the sounds of city sirens or the tempered air of climate control. Of course some comforts do provide satisfaction. My favorite comforts, I have learned, are:
- Bug-free dwellings
- Living without a damp, sandy butt
- Internet
- Pillow/mattress
- Dry bedding
- Warm food, especially when sick, and
- (Duh) fuzzy buddies to cuddle with.
What are your must-have comforts? What conveniences do you think you could live without, and do you think it might even make you happier to live without them?
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