Read this interesting article for the difference between pursuing happiness and living a meaningful life.
A few favorite quotes:
"Happiness without meaning characterizes a relatively shallow, self-absorbed or even selfish life, in which things go well, needs and desire are easily satisfied, and difficult or taxing entanglements are avoided..."
"Meaning is not only about transcending the self, but also about
transcending the present moment -- which is perhaps the most important
finding of the
study, according to the researchers. While happiness is an emotion
felt in the here and now, it ultimately fades away, just as all emotions
do... Meaning, on the other hand, is enduring. It connects the past to the
present to the future. "Thinking beyond the present moment, into the
past or future..."
Despite the negative connotations of only trying to live a happy life, this is still one of my favorite cover songs of all time.
But the only depressing thing I want to focus on is the fact that I didn't get any stamps on my passport this year (I don't make resolutions on New Year's, but I guess this is one!) but I did get to see Alcatraz at night, Yosemite, Boston, Philadelphia and Upper New England for the first time.
I traveled 179,000 miles on Delta, took more than a month's worth or red eye flights and saw 4 new states. I'm hoping this year brings me more leisure travel! I'm targeting Denver, Seattle, Vancouver and anywhere far, far abroad as my travel goals for the year.
I spent New Year's relaxing on my couch with Brandon and Kelly, a couple I know from my time in Atlanta that recently decided leave Houston and move to San Francisco. Tim drove up and my neighbor Michelle walked over. We had a nice, quiet and stress free countdown to 2013.
Before I close up, who can forget the music? My Best Songs of 2012 list defined, motivated and sometimes consoled me during the year. There are some great new bands in there - let me know what you think of it all. And Happy New Year, I really hope it's better than the last!
In my annual tradition of collection my favorite songs of the year, check out this year's Top 10. Here are the lists from 2009, 2010 and 2011 for a look back in time.
I debated on whether I wanted to put this on the list at all... but I heard it on XM over the holidays in a time when I was down and needed a good laugh. "I'm going to make it through this year if it kills me." Very true.
9. Kanye West ft. Big Sean & Jay-Z - Clique
Kanye and Jay-Z never cease to get my head bopping.
8. Atlas Genius - Trojans
I think this band is on the up and up.
7. Tim McMorris - Overwhelmed
I first heard this song on a Sam Adams commercial.
6. Fun. - Some Nights
This song definitely got overplayed on the radio, but it's still pretty good. They had a really strong first album.
5. Phillip Phillips - Home
I'm not an American Idol fan, but this former contestant is really good. At first I thought it was a Mumford & Sons song.
4. Walk The Moon - Anna Sun
Very interesting music video, but another new band that I hope turns out more music.
3. Of Monsters And Men - Little Talks
This is their debut song and they've had a little radio exposure of a few since then. Little Talks is still my favorite.
2. Imagine Dragons - It's Time
The studio version is great but I like this one even better.
1. The Lumineers - Ho Hey
I used to text my ex some of the lyrics ("I belong with you," etc...) and I really considered it 'our song'... the things that made me happy from it now make me sad, but it's just as powerful. It mentions places in New York that I am near and I still find myself humming it when I am in New York City. I'd really like to see this band live in the coming year.
