I was talking to a friend of mine days ago. The conversation took an unexpected turn when we started talking about happiness and contentment. Both our definitions were different.
She thought happiness was far better than contentment. "Contentment is simply settling for less," she said.
"How so?"
"Well, you decide that you're fine with what you have and it makes you kind of happy. That's being content."
"And happiness?" I asked.
"Happiness is getting what you want or more...the right career, the adorable husband, the amazing house, etc. Happiness is pleasure. Why settle for semi-happiness?"
"How can these things or people make you happy? You're not happy right now with them, but rather about what these things or people will do to you in the future. The perfect job is probably more money and now you can do more and buy more things with the extra money. The adorable husband will take care of you and some of your dreams or life goals can now be realized. Soon enough there will be other milestones and destinations. Happiness is about the future, not the present.
"Acquiring things or people for that matter won't make you happy...forever. Of course, you'll be excited and thrilled at first. This is after all what you've been dreaming of for so long. But the human mind can sometimes be strange to understand. We keep looking for happiness outside. Are people with more money happy forever? People with better health? People with amazing lovers, sexy bodies or brilliant careers? Because we tend to want everything. Once a slot is filled, we quickly look to fill the next empty one and so on. So you have to be happy within. Actually content is the right word in this case. Being content is being grateful for what God Has given you...for what you have right now, not thinking about what it/they will bring you tomorrow. For instance, you may not be 100% happy with your job. You actually may be stressed, overworked and it may not be the right career for you. You can choose to look at it this way. Or you can still have your goal on your mental radar and be content with what you have now. After all, hundreds of thousands of people don't have jobs; and you do."
"So, you're saying that if someone who seems fine proposes to me, I should accept and be content with him as a husband?"
"Nope, I didn't say that. Let me ask you a question. If you meet a wonderful guy and you fall in love with him, how happy will you be to marry him? Now how long do you think this happiness will last? After some time, you'll get used to him, his love and his company. Passion may start to fade away and things aren't as exciting as they once were. That's life, after all. Would you go look for another someone to make you happy and excite you again? Or would you be content with him and your marriage and allow happiness to creep up on you every once in a while? Is that settling for less? Not at all. That's contentment which can last a lifetime. It's in your hands to see less as more. And you'll start seeing more as much more which will make you much happier. When you're content, you can find happiness and goodness in almost anything! Your reward is that the happy times will stretch for you and the bad times will shorten in length," I said.
To me being content is being grateful. Life has taught me that when you're grateful for the "little" things, it gives you more to be grateful for and there's less to stress about. That's being content. Now the amazing thing is if you're not naturally content, it may take you some time to learn it. The instant you realize you're settling for less, contentment flees outside the door. That's the secret. Some people keep looking for happiness outside of them. They spend their lives doing so, making more and more money, or moving from one relationship to the next because they're not "happy yet" or "not happy anymore". Happiness can become the definition of what we do not have rather than what we already do. And such people, sarcastically, are never happy no matter what or who they keep getting. Because that ideal happiness keeps getting harder and harder to find. Their desire/need for happiness will never be fulfilled this way. They will always seek or want more.
A content person is peaceful and accepts with gratitude what life gives him. They accept themselves and others, talents and flaws. Being content is a choice. "Ideal" happiness is temporary (acquired by external circumstances/possessions/people); and when we lose it, we become insecure, fearful, depressed, sad, angry, etc. until there's something else to be happy about.
Just like I believe that part of love is choice and decision. You decide to put energy into something.
You can also help yourself become more content. Avoid negative people and "sad" or depressing music, TV or movies. And unless you start looking inside of you for happiness, you'll keep seeking it outside...and you will spend your life doing so in vain.
"Riches are not from an abundance of wordly goods, but from a contented mind."- Prophet Muhammad
Let me hear your thoughts.
© Marwa Ayad
Marwa Ayad's Website
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Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Saturday, 16 October 2010
The Dream: Part I
Zeina saw her again in her dream. She wasn’t sure if that was her own self as a child or her future daughter. This time she was seven years old. There stood the little girl before her, so vivid, looking at her. Waiting.
Why lately? Was the little girl here to remind her of something or tell her she missed her? Was she here to remind her of the future, better days ahead?
She had come to her as a baby before. Her skin so white, her hair dark. Now she was a girl who wore her hair in two plaits and who had the most amusing expression on her face. Her skin was tanned, slightly sun-burned.
It must be time travel! But who was traveling to see whom? Her daughter, no doubt.
The most puzzling question was why the little girl always showed up with "him". Always looking at them both in the dream.
Was he going to be her father?
She missed him. But he made it up to her in dreams.
Zeina often thought she enjoyed being asleep than awake. She had another life with him—an alternate one. They would talk, laugh and make love then. In dreams, they were husband and wife and together had the most loving family. In dreams, he touched her and told her how much he loved her. In real life, she was willingly alone, though often scared of her own loneliness. In real life, they were still strangers, separated by miles, doubts and dark thoughts.
Long ago Zeina believed there was a dark chamber in everyone's heart where all sad memories and darkness were kept and locked. Once unlocked, she would become the worst version of herself: angry, depressed and self-destructive. No, she wouldn’t unlock it.
But this time was different. This time she longed to throw the key away so all darkness would come out and diffuse from her heart to the universe around her. The chamber was so full and her heart felt so heavy. A million smiles didn't help. And now she longed for him more than she had longed for anyone her whole life. She did not want to feel weak. And he was her only weakness.
She longed to be free.
Of herself. Of him.
She wanted to free herself for her future self...and her daughter. The one who came to check on her every once in a while. The one that wanted to remind her of a future so near…or far away.
When Zeina woke up that day, she remembered so well her daughter’s face. She also noticed the tears streaming down her own. She grabbed a blank paper and started drawing and shading. When she was done, she added the painting to her daughter's collection: drawings of her as a newborn then aged three and now seven.
I must be going mad! Zeina told herself.
She had never desired anyone but him, nor loved anyone more than him. Isn’t that how he had showed up in her life first…through dreams?
She should have asked her, she thought to herself. She should have asked her time traveling daughter about the future…and most importantly about dates and major events.
What was it she said in their last dream?
No, she was silent. Like she wasn’t allowed or ordered not to talk so as not to mess up future events. But the hug. The hug spoke a language of its own. It was so warm. Her daughter was clinging to her. Tears rolled down Zeina’s face. For a very long time, she believed she wasn’t destined to be a mother.
She had written them down: those dreams with her daughter in them. She had written every single one down. In another life, Zeina would have been a mother with a loving family.
May be dreams were the “real life” where there were no boundaries, restrictions or broken hearts. Everything was the way it should be. Her salvation. With those that matter.
She grabbed a piece of paper and started writing:
Dear Beloved,
Our future daughter came to see me again last night. She looked so lovely. And she seemed sun-tanned. Too much fun days in the sun, I hope. She was watching us silently. You were crying and asking for my love. I cried, too, and told you how much I loved you.
I promise I shall give this letter to you when you’re with me so you know how I lived my days until having you for real.
Yours Forever,
Zeina
She put down the pen, swallowed a couple of sleeping pills and went back to sleep.
***
Ayman woke up from sleep in cold sweat. He rarely remembered is dreams. Not this dream. There was a young girl. What was it she whispered in his right ear? Something about marriage…or family. Zeina was there. They were talking and the little girl was watching. Then she hugged Zeina.
Darn! He wished he would remember the dream more clearly. This is also why he sometimes hated dreams. He felt very emotional afterwards at times. He who had always been in control.
He thought of her. Zeina. His Zeina. He couldn’t recall how things had ended between them…or who said what to whom. He remembered her smile, kindness and the way she used to look at him. He recalled the way the sun glazed her face and hair with a golden hue. For some unknown reason, she seemed the only woman on earth who had ever understood him and let him be who he wanted to be. How blind he had been!
Why did they drift apart? Who would let go of something so rare, so precious like that? He wondered where she would be now. She might even be with someone else.
He smiled to himself. They had to be together again. It was pure…
Destiny.
-- To be continued...
© Marwa Ayad
Marwa Ayad's Website
Facebook Fan Page
Follow Marwa on Twitter
Why lately? Was the little girl here to remind her of something or tell her she missed her? Was she here to remind her of the future, better days ahead?
She had come to her as a baby before. Her skin so white, her hair dark. Now she was a girl who wore her hair in two plaits and who had the most amusing expression on her face. Her skin was tanned, slightly sun-burned.
It must be time travel! But who was traveling to see whom? Her daughter, no doubt.
The most puzzling question was why the little girl always showed up with "him". Always looking at them both in the dream.
Was he going to be her father?
She missed him. But he made it up to her in dreams.
Zeina often thought she enjoyed being asleep than awake. She had another life with him—an alternate one. They would talk, laugh and make love then. In dreams, they were husband and wife and together had the most loving family. In dreams, he touched her and told her how much he loved her. In real life, she was willingly alone, though often scared of her own loneliness. In real life, they were still strangers, separated by miles, doubts and dark thoughts.
Long ago Zeina believed there was a dark chamber in everyone's heart where all sad memories and darkness were kept and locked. Once unlocked, she would become the worst version of herself: angry, depressed and self-destructive. No, she wouldn’t unlock it.
But this time was different. This time she longed to throw the key away so all darkness would come out and diffuse from her heart to the universe around her. The chamber was so full and her heart felt so heavy. A million smiles didn't help. And now she longed for him more than she had longed for anyone her whole life. She did not want to feel weak. And he was her only weakness.
She longed to be free.
Of herself. Of him.
She wanted to free herself for her future self...and her daughter. The one who came to check on her every once in a while. The one that wanted to remind her of a future so near…or far away.
When Zeina woke up that day, she remembered so well her daughter’s face. She also noticed the tears streaming down her own. She grabbed a blank paper and started drawing and shading. When she was done, she added the painting to her daughter's collection: drawings of her as a newborn then aged three and now seven.
I must be going mad! Zeina told herself.
She had never desired anyone but him, nor loved anyone more than him. Isn’t that how he had showed up in her life first…through dreams?
She should have asked her, she thought to herself. She should have asked her time traveling daughter about the future…and most importantly about dates and major events.
What was it she said in their last dream?
No, she was silent. Like she wasn’t allowed or ordered not to talk so as not to mess up future events. But the hug. The hug spoke a language of its own. It was so warm. Her daughter was clinging to her. Tears rolled down Zeina’s face. For a very long time, she believed she wasn’t destined to be a mother.
She had written them down: those dreams with her daughter in them. She had written every single one down. In another life, Zeina would have been a mother with a loving family.
May be dreams were the “real life” where there were no boundaries, restrictions or broken hearts. Everything was the way it should be. Her salvation. With those that matter.
She grabbed a piece of paper and started writing:
Dear Beloved,
Our future daughter came to see me again last night. She looked so lovely. And she seemed sun-tanned. Too much fun days in the sun, I hope. She was watching us silently. You were crying and asking for my love. I cried, too, and told you how much I loved you.
I promise I shall give this letter to you when you’re with me so you know how I lived my days until having you for real.
Yours Forever,
Zeina
She put down the pen, swallowed a couple of sleeping pills and went back to sleep.
***
Ayman woke up from sleep in cold sweat. He rarely remembered is dreams. Not this dream. There was a young girl. What was it she whispered in his right ear? Something about marriage…or family. Zeina was there. They were talking and the little girl was watching. Then she hugged Zeina.
Darn! He wished he would remember the dream more clearly. This is also why he sometimes hated dreams. He felt very emotional afterwards at times. He who had always been in control.
He thought of her. Zeina. His Zeina. He couldn’t recall how things had ended between them…or who said what to whom. He remembered her smile, kindness and the way she used to look at him. He recalled the way the sun glazed her face and hair with a golden hue. For some unknown reason, she seemed the only woman on earth who had ever understood him and let him be who he wanted to be. How blind he had been!
Why did they drift apart? Who would let go of something so rare, so precious like that? He wondered where she would be now. She might even be with someone else.
He smiled to himself. They had to be together again. It was pure…
Destiny.
-- To be continued...
© Marwa Ayad
Marwa Ayad's Website
Facebook Fan Page
Follow Marwa on Twitter
Thursday, 14 October 2010
The Chemistry of Love: How Relationships and Breakups Happen
Well, you should know there are three basic stages of Love:
Then you quickly move to the “falling in love” or “crazy about you” phase where you start obsessing about that person. Many chemicals are released: PEA (phenyl ethyl amine), dopamine (which is also activated by cocaine) and nor-epinephrine (which stimulates adrenaline production). These chemicals combined give us that feeling of infatuation. It is why new lovers feel euphoric and energized, floating on air. It is also why new lovers are rather inseparable and can talk all night for weeks on end. The effects of this stage last from several weeks to several months, depending on the person and circumstances.
However, the interesting thing is when we have great chemistry with someone, it's hardly flattering! According to Dr. Harville Hendrix our brain dumps PEA when we identify someone who can finish our childhood business; that is when our brain recognizes the original child-parent relationship!
Later in this highly-charged stage, serotonin and endorphins are released as well. Serotonin is a natural anti-depressant; endorphins give the feeling of morphine-like calmness and they promote feelings of intimacy, comfort and warmth. They don’t give those “hyper” feelings experienced before; however, they can be more addictive. The absence of endorphins is responsible for making you miss or yearn for your loved one when apart. This stage lasts from several months to a few years.
By the way, endorphins are also released after a good workout or eating good-quality chocolate; remember that!
When infatuation and attraction subside and things seem to be cooling off, it’s the last stage which many don’t reach (and when breakups often happen). This is the "unconditional acceptance", lucky attachment phase. This involves commitment and is responsible for long-term relationships. Here you are aware of both the positive and negative traits of your partner AND you've decided you want to build a life together.
In this stage, higher levels of the chemicals oxytocin and vasopressin are produced to a greater degree than in short-term relationships; both promote bonding and devotion to your partner. They are both released when we’re physically intimate—while holding hands, kissing, cuddling, or having sex. Oxytocin makes people calmer and more sensitive to others’ feelings. Oxytocin is also linked to milk production in women.
Only the “attachment phase” of love is physiologically sustainable and can thus endure. This incidentally is real love; the earlier stages are a part of love, too, but as amazing as they can be, they’re always and must be transitory and short-lived. They can’t last, but a deeper sense of love and commitment is achieved instead which is, after all, what we are eventually seeking.
Which reminds me: Don't take it too personally when someone breaks up with you or tells you they're no longer in love with you. I know this is so hard to grasp at first. But the truth of the matter is most of the time it's not about you. They've run out of their "love cocktail". They weren't in love with you to begin with; they were in love with being "high”; sadly not you.
Accordingly, some people become "love addicts" or "junkies" based on these facts. They badly need this chemical "excitement" to be intoxicated by life (which happens in the earlier stage of love). Once this initial rush of chemicals wanes (inevitable after several months to several years, depending on the individual and the circumstances), the relationship crumbles. They're soon off again, seeking a "quick fix" to their forlorn feelings and "shattered dreams": another chemical high from infatuation.
These love junkies also have one other problem. The body builds up tolerance to these chemicals. Then it takes more and more chemistry to bring that “special” feeling of love which they crave.
Many adults go through life in a series of three-month to three-year relationships. If these love junkies stay married, they are likely to seek affairs to fuel their chemical highs.
One of the best things I've ever learned is knowing if someone is/will be happy in their marriage, or marriage-to-be. The answer is very simple. It’s actually a question:
How happy were/are they before getting married?
There's your answer.
Remember in the first stages of love, we project expectations and ideals on our partner. Both parties are also on their best behavior. The chemicals produced in the early stages do that to you. They "suspend observation and distort perception" which is why after some time some people think they have fallen out of love because their beloved no longer meets their ‘fantasy standards’. Now you know why.
Whoever abandons the other first in a relationship breaks free from the "spell of love" first.
Surprisingly enough, there have been suggestions that the levels of dopamine and serotonin drop off first in the originally less happy partner who wasn't at peace with themselves from the start. The one with more self-doubts and less self-acceptance breaks free from the biochemical spell often fast, too.
The closer to the attachment phase you are, the more difficult a breakup is on you and the greater the withdrawal symptoms are (from all the chemicals you’re now being denied being apart from the one you love)—similar to the withdrawal symptoms of a narcotic! The deeper in love you are with someone, the more painful abandonment or betrayal of that person feels.
My advice to you: Even though we have no control over who we fall in love with, we can control who we get in a relationship with. Choose someone happy about who they are and at peace with themselves. AVOID like the plague anyone who tells you they've been waiting for you to save/fix/help them or make them happy. Observe that person: what they have achieved in their life so far, their parents’ relationship with each other, how that person treats others, the kind of relationships he/she has been in and HOW and WHY things ended (you could observe a pattern). See if they jump from relationship to relationship because "they're addicted to love" and being in relationships.
Just remember a relationship can never remain in the “infatuation” or “attraction” stage indefinitely; it’s not really a sign you’re in the wrong relationship.
Apart from chemistry, love is still a mystery to many of us and I enjoy writing about it in my novels. Here’s something (non-chemical) I’ve written before about love:
Love hurts. A lot. It's unexplained. It's unexpected. It's very clear. It's strange. It's mysterious. It’s cruel. It's kind. It's sweet. It's bitter. It's sadness. It's pure joy. It's torture. It's relief. It's nothing. It's everything.
Exactly. No one can figure out love.
I can tell you one thing though: Everyone's version of love is different. Some have dwelled on the bright side; others on the very dark side. So don't let others' stories affect you.
My side of the story is that love is cruelly kind, vaguely clear, sweetly bitter and sadly joyful.
Real love is different. Real love is about two people letting go of their selfishness selflessly for love. Real love is about hanging on, and still knowing your someone is on the other side holding the other side of the rope, even if only ever so lightly. Real love is about understanding, commitment, intuition, communication, patience, and faith... a lot of faith. Real love is strengthened with time, not otherwise.
Most importantly remember to fall in love with yourself first; only then others will follow.
*Like my post? Then please share!*
© Marwa Ayad
Marwa Ayad's Website
Facebook Fan Page
Follow Marwa on Twitter
- Infatuation
- Attraction
- Attachment
Then you quickly move to the “falling in love” or “crazy about you” phase where you start obsessing about that person. Many chemicals are released: PEA (phenyl ethyl amine), dopamine (which is also activated by cocaine) and nor-epinephrine (which stimulates adrenaline production). These chemicals combined give us that feeling of infatuation. It is why new lovers feel euphoric and energized, floating on air. It is also why new lovers are rather inseparable and can talk all night for weeks on end. The effects of this stage last from several weeks to several months, depending on the person and circumstances.
However, the interesting thing is when we have great chemistry with someone, it's hardly flattering! According to Dr. Harville Hendrix our brain dumps PEA when we identify someone who can finish our childhood business; that is when our brain recognizes the original child-parent relationship!
Later in this highly-charged stage, serotonin and endorphins are released as well. Serotonin is a natural anti-depressant; endorphins give the feeling of morphine-like calmness and they promote feelings of intimacy, comfort and warmth. They don’t give those “hyper” feelings experienced before; however, they can be more addictive. The absence of endorphins is responsible for making you miss or yearn for your loved one when apart. This stage lasts from several months to a few years.
By the way, endorphins are also released after a good workout or eating good-quality chocolate; remember that!
When infatuation and attraction subside and things seem to be cooling off, it’s the last stage which many don’t reach (and when breakups often happen). This is the "unconditional acceptance", lucky attachment phase. This involves commitment and is responsible for long-term relationships. Here you are aware of both the positive and negative traits of your partner AND you've decided you want to build a life together.
In this stage, higher levels of the chemicals oxytocin and vasopressin are produced to a greater degree than in short-term relationships; both promote bonding and devotion to your partner. They are both released when we’re physically intimate—while holding hands, kissing, cuddling, or having sex. Oxytocin makes people calmer and more sensitive to others’ feelings. Oxytocin is also linked to milk production in women.
Only the “attachment phase” of love is physiologically sustainable and can thus endure. This incidentally is real love; the earlier stages are a part of love, too, but as amazing as they can be, they’re always and must be transitory and short-lived. They can’t last, but a deeper sense of love and commitment is achieved instead which is, after all, what we are eventually seeking.
Which reminds me: Don't take it too personally when someone breaks up with you or tells you they're no longer in love with you. I know this is so hard to grasp at first. But the truth of the matter is most of the time it's not about you. They've run out of their "love cocktail". They weren't in love with you to begin with; they were in love with being "high”; sadly not you.
Accordingly, some people become "love addicts" or "junkies" based on these facts. They badly need this chemical "excitement" to be intoxicated by life (which happens in the earlier stage of love). Once this initial rush of chemicals wanes (inevitable after several months to several years, depending on the individual and the circumstances), the relationship crumbles. They're soon off again, seeking a "quick fix" to their forlorn feelings and "shattered dreams": another chemical high from infatuation.
These love junkies also have one other problem. The body builds up tolerance to these chemicals. Then it takes more and more chemistry to bring that “special” feeling of love which they crave.
Many adults go through life in a series of three-month to three-year relationships. If these love junkies stay married, they are likely to seek affairs to fuel their chemical highs.
One of the best things I've ever learned is knowing if someone is/will be happy in their marriage, or marriage-to-be. The answer is very simple. It’s actually a question:
How happy were/are they before getting married?
There's your answer.
Remember in the first stages of love, we project expectations and ideals on our partner. Both parties are also on their best behavior. The chemicals produced in the early stages do that to you. They "suspend observation and distort perception" which is why after some time some people think they have fallen out of love because their beloved no longer meets their ‘fantasy standards’. Now you know why.
Whoever abandons the other first in a relationship breaks free from the "spell of love" first.
Surprisingly enough, there have been suggestions that the levels of dopamine and serotonin drop off first in the originally less happy partner who wasn't at peace with themselves from the start. The one with more self-doubts and less self-acceptance breaks free from the biochemical spell often fast, too.
The closer to the attachment phase you are, the more difficult a breakup is on you and the greater the withdrawal symptoms are (from all the chemicals you’re now being denied being apart from the one you love)—similar to the withdrawal symptoms of a narcotic! The deeper in love you are with someone, the more painful abandonment or betrayal of that person feels.
My advice to you: Even though we have no control over who we fall in love with, we can control who we get in a relationship with. Choose someone happy about who they are and at peace with themselves. AVOID like the plague anyone who tells you they've been waiting for you to save/fix/help them or make them happy. Observe that person: what they have achieved in their life so far, their parents’ relationship with each other, how that person treats others, the kind of relationships he/she has been in and HOW and WHY things ended (you could observe a pattern). See if they jump from relationship to relationship because "they're addicted to love" and being in relationships.
Just remember a relationship can never remain in the “infatuation” or “attraction” stage indefinitely; it’s not really a sign you’re in the wrong relationship.
Apart from chemistry, love is still a mystery to many of us and I enjoy writing about it in my novels. Here’s something (non-chemical) I’ve written before about love:
Love hurts. A lot. It's unexplained. It's unexpected. It's very clear. It's strange. It's mysterious. It’s cruel. It's kind. It's sweet. It's bitter. It's sadness. It's pure joy. It's torture. It's relief. It's nothing. It's everything.
Exactly. No one can figure out love.
I can tell you one thing though: Everyone's version of love is different. Some have dwelled on the bright side; others on the very dark side. So don't let others' stories affect you.
My side of the story is that love is cruelly kind, vaguely clear, sweetly bitter and sadly joyful.
Real love is different. Real love is about two people letting go of their selfishness selflessly for love. Real love is about hanging on, and still knowing your someone is on the other side holding the other side of the rope, even if only ever so lightly. Real love is about understanding, commitment, intuition, communication, patience, and faith... a lot of faith. Real love is strengthened with time, not otherwise.
Most importantly remember to fall in love with yourself first; only then others will follow.
*Like my post? Then please share!*
© Marwa Ayad
Marwa Ayad's Website
Facebook Fan Page
Follow Marwa on Twitter
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