Happiness is good—I like feeling happy.
But much of the time my internal state is more complex than one word can contain.
Maybe I’m happy with a hint of malaise or whiff of chagrin or the subtle tang of disquiet.
I may be in the midst of an ineffable unease, and though I can sometimes recount my day and trace such sensations to insufficient sleep or a missed meal or an inharmonious interaction, there are times when I find it’s useful to check in on other, oft under-appreciated dispositions and remind myself of the interwoven elements informing many of the surface-level mood-metrics I tend to more casually consider.
For instance: do I feel strong? Physically and cognitively? Psychologically?
Do I feel capable of doing things, making things, achieving things?
Do I feel healthy?
Does my body generally seem to be working, and does it feel like it’s being well-maintained, nurtured, exposed to valuable, growth-oriented frictions?
Do I feel inspired, in awe, full of wonder? Am I baring myself to stirring stimuli and provocative perspectives?
Am I pushing myself and experiencing a satisfying strain?
Am I grateful for the the advantages I’ve had, the things I’ve been fortunate to do and people I’ve been lucky to know?
How am I feeling about my relationships? My things? The space I occupy?
Am I free? Am I liberated? Am I empowered?
Is there reason for hope? Optimism? Relief?
Do I have love for myself, for friends and family, for strangers?
Does it seem like I’m generally moving toward fulfillment and accomplishment? Am I sometimes able to achieve calm and comfort and serenity? Am I capable of sparking and maintaining and pursuing and cultivating interests and enthusiasms and passions?
Are there aspects of my life I enjoy?
Are there aspects of my life I don’t enjoy but find gratifying?
Are there things I want to improve in my life and in the world? Do I feel equal to the task of improving these things?
And how do I feel now, after a more exhaustive, higher resolution assessment?
