Thursday, February 26, 2015

Hector and The Search for Happiness

We watched the movie Hector and the Search for Happiness which was refreshing after thirty minutes of watching the Birdman  chosen by the Academy to be the best movie. Like the Academy Awards themselves: Birdman is self-indulgent and self-absorbed. I seldom walk out of movie or turn it off, but Birdman was just way too whacky for me. I nearly choked on all the navel gazing fluff.

I had no expectations of Hector who journeys around the world trying to find what makes people happy. Here's what he discovered:


  1. Making comparisons can spoil your happiness
  2. Happiness often comes when least expected
  3. Many people only see happiness in their future
  4. Many people think happiness comes from having more power or more money
  5. Sometimes happiness is not knowing the whole story
  6. Happiness is a long walk in beautiful, unfamiliar mountains
  7. It’s a mistake to think that happiness is the goal
  8. Happiness is being with the people you love; unhappiness is being separated from the people you love
  9. Happiness is knowing that your family lacks for nothing
  10. Happiness is doing a job you love
  11. Happiness is having a home and a garden of your own
  12. It’s harder to be happy in a country run by bad people
  13. Happiness is feeling useful to others
  14. Happiness is to be loved for exactly who you are (People are kinder to a child who smiles)
  15. Happiness comes when you feel truly alive
  16. Happiness is knowing how to celebrate
  17. Happiness is caring about the happiness of those you love
  18. Happiness is not attaching too much importance to what other people think
  19. The sun and the sea make everybody happy
  20. Happiness is a certain way of seeing things
  21. Rivalry poisons happiness
  22. Women care more than men about making others happy
  23. Happiness means making sure that those around you are happy
Some resonated with me, particularly #14. I've learned recently what a rare gift it is to be loved even when you are disagreeable, say stupid things and sanctimonious.

What makes you happy?


1 comment:

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing this Bonnie...#8 resonates with me. Happiness is when my family gets to come together. Having some in Edmonton, Vancouver and Utah is unhappiness.