Retired and happy?

Duplicated from jaykasi.blogspot.com

Everyone hopes to to be happily retired. But how does one find happiness?

There are three models of how one gets happiness.  

One model is that it springs from within. I can see that in my wife. She is a naturally happy person, and it springs from within. Some strive for a “state of mind” for more lasting happiness. I do have my normal state sometime after retirement that is neither happy nor unhappy. This is a state where I have peace of mind, am dispassionate and detached and have no baggage. The election did disturb that a bit but now I am back to normal. It is a state of mind but different than a happy state of mind or “comes from within happiness” for lasting happiness that people talk about. So, it is not necessarily relevant to this essay. Here is an essay of mine in another blog site on Eastern philosophy and happiness ("state of mind" for more lasting happiness): 

https://jaykasi.blogspot.com/2024/12/second-post-blog-freeze-addition.html

For me, I get it from the second model - my interaction with my environment. So, need to find it in my interactions with people and with what is available in Hawaii and vacations. Examples of when I was happy in the past are on the ski slopes, playing tennis with my wife, interesting conversation with a friend, on vacation, in a family gathering interacting, talking or interacting with loved ones, in a beautiful spot, etc. Exercise releases endorphins which make you feel good. 

There is a third model for happiness - the biochemical/neurology model. Scientists have traced dopamine to it. Pleasure from Sex is partly genetic and wired into the brain. Some say drinking or taking drugs, gives it to them. Not my cup of tea!! The other models though, ultimately map to biochemistry/neurology but that is not how I am charting it here. 

Some say happiness comes with purpose, but that has not been my experience. The purpose though may lead to interesting work you like. Its fruits may give you a sense of satisfaction especially later on when you reflect back.  I don’t really want or have any purpose after I wrapped up blogging. 

These transient ways are enough for me instead of going in the direction of achieving a “state of mind” for more lasting happiness that some strive for. Each person defines it for himself and pursues it. Will discuss with my wife and come up with practical things I or us together can do here in Hawaii that is age appropriate.  We spend too much time sitting in front of the TV/computer. We are not THAT old!!

 We are now in our golden years. All life goals accomplished and no more purpose in life except enjoyment (and take care of our health). Purpose before in life drove accomplishments.

For enjoyment, things we may take up - dine together in restaurants, sit together in our lanai and enjoy, sit together at beach and enjoy, walk/sit together at the beautiful botanical gardens nearby, vacations together mostly in Hawaii, watch movies or educational shows or sports, take travel or health related online courses together, listen to music, read fictional novels, and try to take up regular exercise. I won't keep this up to date as it evolves - these are all simple mundane things. Often things you enjoy are simple things that cost little or no money. Both of us also have our circle of friends and relatives we enjoy talking to.

But be aware. Health problems can throw a curve ball at your happiness. Take care of your health!! Also hopefully, you had already planned for your retirement and don't have major financial problems in retirement. 

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