Over the July 4th holiday weekend, I managed to do a lot of reading — which made me very happy.
Among other things, I read Past Imperfect, a novel by Julian Fellowes (a man of many accomplishments, such as winning an Academy Award for best original screenplay for the brilliant movie Gosford Park).
The novel’s narrator made an observation that has stuck with me.
“Years later, a friend would describe her world as being peopled entirely by radiator and drains. If so, then Damian was King Radiator. He warmed the company he was in.”
More and more, it seems to me that energy is an enormously helpful clue as to whether a person, activity, or place is a happiness-booster, or not.
I find it’s useful to ask: “Does this person make me feel energized?” or “Does this activity, though intimidating and frustrating, make me feel more energetic in the long run?”
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My current favorite duo of explanation is: thermometer vs thermostat. Am I (or is someone else) actively influencing a situation? Thermostat. Am I just registering what’s going on? Thermometer. Am I reactive or proactive?