a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being
It's a frigid Sunday winter afternoon in NY
My husband, daughter and I cuddled in our gray sofa
and it made me think of the word Hygge.
Pronounced as Hyooguh. It's more than a word. It embodies the Danish soul.
The Scandinavian country with exorbitant taxes,
where rain comes on a regular basis with no real dry period and very cold winters
is home to the happiest people on Earth.
What? The happiest place in the world is not Florida?
It's not Disneyland?
No warm beaches, endless sunshine and margaritas with umbrellas?
Nordic countries consistently tops the list of the happiest people in the world.
There are surely many socio-political factors
that come into play that may have contributed to this
but I am more focused on the Philosophy behind all this.
You do not have to be tall, blonde, white and blue eyed to embrace such Philosophy.
Hygge after all is more than a word but a way of life, an outlook in life that
makes this Nordic people to always be on top of the list of the happiest people on earth.
It has nothing to do with race or ethnicity and everything to do with Philosophy.
There is really no English translation for Hygge.
It's rough meaning is coziness , creating a warm atmosphere
and enjoying the good things in life with good people.
We know very well happiness is never about just having and possessing things.
Hygge is the feeling of wellness and contentment that arises
when you surround yourself with things and people that make you happy
Most of us practice it already, we just did not know it has a name.
Hygge to me is candles and woolen blankets,
home cooked meals , pancakes and pastries
morning coffee and afternoon tea,
warm salt rose scented baths,
books, vinyl records and
dinners in my cozy home
shared with family.
Hygge sounds like the english word hug.
So let's embrace what truly sparks joy in this life.
Here are books on Hygge:
The little book of Hygge: Danish secrets to happy living by Meik Wiking
There is No Such Thing As Bad Weather by: Linda Akeson McGurk
Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness By: Marie Tourell Søderberg
THe Cozy Life: Rediscover the Joy of the Simple Things Through the Danish Concept of Hygge By: Pia Edberg
Making Winter:n A Hygge- inspired guide to surviving the winter months by : Emma Mitchell
The Joy of Hygge By Jonny Jackson and Elias Larsen
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