The Secret of Happiness
What does happiness mean to you?
There’s a lot of searching going on these days for the elusive emotion of “being happy” --where do you find it, how do you create it, and even what it actually is?
But I’d like to share a little secret with you -- happiness is not just for a lucky few who were born with it.
Happiness is not something you can reach out and touch or put in the refrigerator and take a sip when you need it. Happiness is not found on a beach in Hawaii (really!) or in a perfect body. It’s not even in that perfect relationship that Tom Cruise tries to sell us in the movies. Mistakenly believing that happiness comes from material possessions: the latest car, best clothes, and fancy home.
It’s easy to get caught in the trap of thinking that if you could just find the right person, they’d arrive with a box of happiness attached to his/her hip. But all this does is convince you that happiness is something to be found outside of yourself. And that’s where you get off track. Because the secret is that happiness is simply a by-product of creating and living a life that works, a life that you enjoy -- whatever that is. Happiness comes from doing what you want, where you want to do it, and whom you want to do it.
Happiness starts by believing you have control over your life.
It grows by making choices that will give you a sense of well being, satisfaction. Happiness comes from deciding that you *will* go to school for 8 years if that’s what it takes. That you *will* organize your life until you can afford to move. And that YOU decide who to hug, how much to smile, what music you listen to, and who you hang out with, even if it’s not Bill and Hillary.
Happiness is about making the best choices you can about who you spend your time with, how you make your living, how much you learn, and what you put into your body. True happiness emanates when you find contentment in your surroundings, connections with admirable people, and meaningful engagement in projects. And that’s no secret.
Decide today to stop chasing happiness.
Choose three things that you love to do, that contribute to your feeling of well-being and satisfaction. Schedule time for them, every day if possible, every week at least. It doesn’t have to be for a long time, just 10 minutes a day will help you create the happiness that you’re looking for. Guaranteed.
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