Are You Truly Responsible For Your Own Happiness?
We could deny gravity. Yet, she exists and affects us. The only thing we can do is acknowledge, and act with this knowledge. The way planes were built to fly. They fly because of gravity.
It’s because your happiness depends on you that you have to find a way to make it possible for you to stay sane and live happily.
Sometimes, we have to unlearn everything we know about a concept or idea, so we can upgrade the way we see the world through that idea.
What we believe usually tends to be true to the point where the universe could bend to make it so. However, when our beliefs are in line with the natural laws of life, the world seems so much peaceful and miraculous. Almost dreamlike.
I think that’s because fundamentally, the world is a beautiful place. We, earthlings, just make it harder
Your happiness is within your reach. I know this sounds like a used zen mantra. It’s too simple to be true, yes?
And that’s the thing about so many earthly things: things are really simple.
You are responsible for your happiness.
Sad truth and potent realization. Sad because no matter how things are external, no matter how much our background or current circumstances affect our lives in tangible ways, the bottom line is: we’re responsible for how we feel about everything.
The potency in this affirmation allows us to choose happiness; to consciously decide the sequence of thoughts that we let through our mind’s filter.
Things you don’t like are going to happen. Someone will say something upsetting. You won’t get the results you wanted.
We’re human. That’s what flawed humanity looks like.
It’s always up to us to decide what’s really important. You decide how you react to an insult. You can prepare for the despair and the down times. Because they will come. As assuredly as the sun will rise, there will be ups and downs.
Consider the thoughts you have and dissociate your person from them. You may be feeling sad, that does not make you a sad person. You have been hurt, but you are not a “hurt person”.
When our personalities get tied to how we feel, we set ourselves up for a life of inconsistency and unrealized dreams. Choose your thoughts. Choose your reactions. Happiness is a daily choice. Gratitude and an ‘abundance mentality’ provide an incredible foundation for this choice.
I’ve been working really hard to build this practice into my daily life. It’s been hard. Some days are good. Some days are bad. Some days are…meh.
At the end of each day, the only respite I get is that I tried. That’s it — just try. Don’t give up. When things don’t work out, don’t give up.
Each day gets worse or better. It always seems to get worse before it gets better.
How do I know? I don’t.
I’m just winging this whole life thing and learning from everywhere I can: I go to therapy. I work on my empathy. I work on meditation. I work on my relationships. I read. I take breaks.
There’s no one way that works for everyone — only your way. Most days I forget this: I seek advice from people whose lives I don’t really want. I make excuses. I procrastinate. I bite more than I can chew. All these always end-up taking away from my happiness. Knowing this can be a huge step forward.
Knowing is one thing. Doing is another. And the bridge to both is trying.
Yoda said: “Do or do not. There is no try.” I disagree.
Try. Keep trying. Keep working on you. You deserve it. It’s within your reach.
You’re worth happiness.
