Are You Happy?

Manifesting Happiness Through Reflection

At Blinds Couture and Jessica Rose Couture, the essence of our work is in the human touch—taking time to connect with our clients and our community. This year, we are leaning in with a special monthly blog centering on stories of connection, and shared acts of kindness and gratitude to draw our clients closer. We cannot wait to connect with you! 

For many months now, I’ve tried to put down my phone and turn off the TV for a given time each day. In a word, it’s been freeing. But this isn’t a piece on how to put your phone down. It’s a reflection on setting oneself back on track to embracing the inevitable question many ask themselves every day: Am I happy?

Stepping away from my phone and TV has given me space to practice presence, quiet my mind, and help me see and hear myself and others more clearly. When I do turn towards my phone or TV, I’m often seeking hopeful, joyful, meaningful content. 



Last month I stumbled across an Instagram account worth an occasional visit. The video clips are short, engaging, and steeped in reverential bravery. R U Happy? creator Atdhe Trepca set out in 2019 to travel the world asking strangers one simple, but astonishingly profound question:

“Are you happy?”

It’s simplicity is eye opening. I found being asked the question inspires opening a dialogue that’s often hindered by our attempts to protect our most sacred vulnerabilities. Best of all, the awareness of the question is potentially life changing. Each of us has a powerful story that belongs to us. Our stories are important and provide valuable clues to how we unlock the world around us--especially when it comes to unraveling the mysteries of true happiness, or contentment.

Regardless of your answer to the question, considering it is like an intentional wake up call before dawn to be present to feel the sun rise to meet your eyes and fill you with hope for a new day, putting all days behind you to rest. This honest peek into your raw vulnerability can be both frightening to face, and full of optimism. For me, it was inspiring motivation for self-discovery and growth. This simple question allows us to pause and refresh our hearts and minds.



In turn, your personal growth lends a heart to drawing our world closer together because we can more clearly see each other and hear each other’s stories once again--A practice that often fades away when there is too much noise in our world. Hearing other’s stories opens us up to understanding and truly hearing someone else’s heart. It’s that shared, authentic vulnerability that makes us human, lends itself to contentment, and ties our bonds to one another through empathy.

Upon watching many stories on this Instagram account, I found a sense of awe and wonder in the commonalities that radiated through those who seemed contentedly happy in their lives:



• Know yourself, and do what makes you happy. Practice having fun and seek joy at least once a day.
• Happiness is not a destination, it is truly a journey, and life comes at us in waves that cannot always be predicted. Seeking happiness takes effort, awareness, and openness to growth and change. 
• The happiest people tend to have experienced challenges in life and grew through the lessons. Suffering is inevitable and natural throughout life. In knowing this, seek joy from the little things, and be ever present, especially in those moments. 
• Happy people know that the best is yet to come, and they have gratitude, hope, and optimism because of this growth-mindset wisdom.
• There is a sense of gratitude for others around happy people--They express respect and their admiration to those that they love and care about. This expression fortifies peace, joy, and wonder. But they also love themselves and all their own vulnerabilities as they strive for contentment in their hearts.

— A Reflection of Your Soul  —

The Three Questions

If we take the time to observe our own feelings and the sacred vulnerabilities we hold tightly, we can create a mirror reflecting back on our own happiness. We can remind ourselves that life is a journey, and that happiness isn’t a destination, but a momentary, joyful state of being. In these moments, we find that acceptance of ourselves and others, and being present in the moment helps open our minds, our hopes, and our dreams. 

Dare to take a moment of bravery and ask yourself the same three questions R U Happy? asks it’s audience: 

• Are you happy?
• What’s the source of your happiness? 
• If you had one message for the entire world, what would it be?
• 
  

Through our own reflection and wishes for the world, we can find what motivates us to be the change in our own little world. That growth can begin to quiet the noise around us by practicing finding presence in moments of joy, then expanding that presence throughout other moments of our lives. 

Being aware of our own reflections on our sense of happiness allows us to also more deeply feel a sense of gratitude, peace, and optimism for our lives, allowing us to follow our hearts and do what we love more often. Finally, finding contentment refreshes our ability to connect to others more wholly, and experience more moments of joy and happiness together. 

As we rise to greet the new day’s sun, remember, the best is yet to come.