Interview Essay - Emelie Konold

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Interview Essay - Emelie Konold

Emelie Konold was born on July 25, 1924. She enjoys keeping active by meeting new people and being with friends. She also enjoys taking classes at Saddleback College, and sewing.

Emelie defines happiness as a pleasant feeling of joy and wellbeing. Her definition has evolved over the years. She says, "When you are young, you do not think about happiness, because you are born with a certain temperament. You are always happy because it is acquired."

Emelie knows that she is happy when she experiences no depression. She said, "Happiness is a feeling inside where you don't mope. You are active, and pleasant to people." When asked who or what she turns to when she is unhappy she answered, "When I am down I get busy. I do not turn to anybody because I do not want to put it on them." When asked what makes her unhappy she said, "I do not mope or get sad about other people. I am never sad."

She has many activities that contribute to her happiness. They include meeting and being with people, learning and taking classes, sewing, and basically keeping active. When asked how other people's attitudes affect her, Emelie said that she is concerned when there is arguing, or when people are sad. In such a case, she will talk to them and make them feel at ease. It makes her happy to go to lunch and gab with her friends, but if she can't change the other person's attitude, she simply doesn't worry about it. "If I can change it, even by talking, then I will change it", she says.

Emelie's childhood had an affect on her sense of happiness. "I had a dear mother who had multiple sclerosis, but that never got me down. I also had three brothers. There were difficulties in my childhood, but I was fortunate to h...

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...ins are the closest things to God. Whenever I need to be close to and speak to God, that is where I go." She is familiar with the mountains in Utah, but says that any mountains will do.

Emelie's piece of advice for achieving happiness is to believe in some form of religion, get an education and be good to your fellow man. She advises that whenever you face peer pressure, choose what will make you a better person. Don't let your peers pull you down, instead let them grab you and pull you up. All of this ties into her philosophy on life. Emelie believes in living your life the best that you can. Don't worry about things because feeling unhappy all of the time is not a good thing. Instead give what you can to society and to your friends.

Emelie is a very strong person. I felt a connection with her from the first few minutes we spoke. I have a friendship with her.

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