Are you happy right now? If not, why? Your reasons for being unhappy might be about the uncertain economic times, a recent loss, a disappointment or setback, a health problem, a major financial problem or just feeling like your life is in a rut. Just for a few moments, are you willing to put aside all the reasons why you believe you cannot be happy? Now let's try to find reasons to be happy!
Happiness is an inside job. External events and circumstances can never be the source of our happiness. When we link our happiness to external events, then it is a big set up for disappointment and unhappiness. We cannot control what happens out there in the world. We do have control in how we respond to it and how we perceive what is going on in the world. It is not wise to give external events and circumstances the power to create happiness for us. It is our responsibility to create happiness within ourselves, regardless to what is happening in the world.
If we are counting all the reasons why we cannot be happy, then it is going to be difficult to recognize the reasons why we can be happy now. It might appear that we have more reasons to be unhappy than happy at times, but we have to make an attitude adjustment. The more we focus on what we do not like or want, then we cannot see the light shining within our lives. We cannot appreciate all the little aspects of living that can fuel our happiness if we are so focused on why we are not happy. We often overlook or take for granted so many sources of happiness that exist right now within our lives.
We may not always be in position to change our circumstances right away, so we have find a way to work with them until there is a shift. We have to be open and willing to change with our circumstances. We have to challenge ourselves to find something positive from what we judge as negative circumstances. We have to remind ourselves that every circumstance always presents us with useful lessons that we can use to grow and make our lives better. Our circumstances can actually help us to get more from life, even if they initially take something away.
Think about your life. Can you find a reason to be happy right now, regardless of what is going on? You can find a reason to be happy about who you are and your life, even if costs you $70 to fill your gas tank. You can be happy even if you have concerns about your job security. Your happiness does not rest on a job or economic conditions. Your happiness rests in the simple, smaller aspects of life that we take for granted or ignore completely.
What little activity do you enjoy? What experience do you enjoy? What makes you feel so alive? What are you grateful for about your life? What makes you feel good? What experience relaxes you? Count your blessings. Believe that you have many blessings, even if it appears that sky is falling down in your life.
Connecting with nature is a source of great happiness to me. Seeing the birds, squirrels and deer in their natural habitat is a reminder that life will always go on. The joy of seeing a humming bird or woodpecker going about living is priceless. Seeing the sun rise or even watching it rain is another source of happiness. Baking anything that I enjoy adds so much happiness to my life. What makes me happy is not based on the economy, world events or anything outside my control.
Think about the tiny sources of happiness that you over look in your life everyday. What are little things that you can do right now that do not cost anything, but can multiply the happiness in your life? What experience or activity can you appreciate that you have overlooked? Challenge yourself to move away from allowing external conditions which are beyond your control dictate your happiness.
Understand that your circumstances are not meaningless. You do not have to be a helpless, powerless victim trapped by cruel circumstances. Every experience presents us with opportunities to learn and grow. We are always being served and supported by what we judge as good and bad circumstances. If we can remember that every circumstance contains a blessing and opportunity for us, then we might be able to let go of feeling defeated or denied by our circumstances.
We can always choose to be happy, even if our lives are less than perfect. We are guardians of our emotions. We can allow ourselves to be happy, regardless of our circumstances. There will be times when we cannot escape a feeling of unhappiness. The key is to feel it and allow ourselves to move on. If we challenge ourselves, we can find reasons to be happy. We can find something about living that creates happiness within us. Here is a meditation to read when you feel unhappy for any reason or need a reminder that happiness is a choice:
I can choose to be happy, regardless of my circumstances. My circumstances will shift, but my happiness is here to stay. Happiness is my birthright. It is up to me not to allow anything to deny me of it. I will accept and nurture my happiness. Even in my darkest moments, I will find the smallest reason to be happy with myself and my life. I choose to celebrate all the reasons that I have to be happy. As I find more happiness within my life, my happiness will expand to even greater levels. No past or present life experience blocks my happiness unless I allow it. I give myself permission to be happy right now and always.
Copyright©2008 Jeannine Robinson All Rights Reserved