How many times have you looked in the mirror and not been happy with what you saw? Ever wish you could make a difference with your body? How about when you look in your check book, around your house or at your car? It’s as if life gives you permission to find ample things for which to be unhappy, frustrated and dissatisfied. Funny thing, it doesn’t have to be that way.
You can change the way life appears by changing the way you look at things, your point of view, your perspective.
Start with the obvious – things are the way things are. Like it or not the world is the way it is – the sky is blue, gravity is universal, your mother is your mother, and the past is the past. There is nothing you can do that is going to change the way things are at this very moment. But, (and this is a really big “but”) there is something you can do from this point forward that will make a powerful difference in the outcome of your life. You can firstly accept what is so and then take definitive steps to change it.
You can choose to be happy, right now, in this instant. Try it. Say to yourself “I am happy” and then say it again and again and again.
Many people seek happiness, hunt for it, plead for it, even bargain for it. They longingly look for it in personal relationships, in work, in success and recognition, in bigger and better possessions, in booze, sex or drugs. The obvious misconception is searching for happiness out there somewhere in the wild blue yonder.
The truth is, happiness is always with us, always within us. Happiness need not be sought because it is never lost. Happiness is simply a choice you make – today, and forever more – I choose to be happy, I choose to wear a smile, to say complimentary things to others and when something goes awry to accept what cannot be changed and move forward. I choose happiness as the greatest gift I can give to myself and then naturally to pass it along to others.
How about you? Are you up for a little happiness in your life and the lives of those around you? Good! Now go share the message.
Like Paul J. Meyer used to say "Attitude is Everything!" and that is the message of this blog post. You mentioned that people look for happiness in relationships with other people. When people look for happiness in romantic relationships with other people, the results are often disastrous. Being happy with OR without someone else, is a great way to enter a romantic relationship.
Thanks for this great post!
Jupiter Jim
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What a wonderful post! Thank you!!! I know I've read it before, and even commented, but this time it really spoke to me. I've printed it out and will be referring to it often.
Willena Flewelling
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Lynn and Rick Reply:
September 15th, 2011 at 7:13 AM
Willena,
So happy you found this post to be of value. We are honored that you’ve taken on your happiness in a positive way. LnR
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Those are great insights about happines!
For me happiness doesn't come from my own fulfillment, it comes from fulfilling other people lives or being a source of happiness to other people because I believe that I may have everything in my life but if you don't know how to share or give it to others you won't truly be happy.
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Rick,
I DO choose to be happy most of the time. But then, it suddenly comes upon me, a day when everything seems to go wrong and it all seems not worth it. At those times, as soon as I catch myself, I remember what my grandmother used to say, “This too shall pass.” That gets me back to realizing whatever is upsetting me is only temporary and I CAN choose to be happy in the moment.
Erica
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Love the smiley faces. Happiness is something that seems so hard for some people to understand. Most of the time they have control issues that makes it hard for them to see any happiness in life if things don’t go their way.
For me. I choose to be happy and easy going. Life can be hard but seeing the positive side in everything makes it so much easier.
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Great post Lynn & Rick,
The fact that happiness is actually a conscious choice rather than an effect that “happens to us” if we do the right stuff is one of the most amazing and misunderstood truths. Happiness should be the engine and not the caboose
Like you said, it’s as simple as consciously choosing to focus in a way that brings you happiness.
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Happiness really is a choice. It’s all about your attitude and how you choose to react to life events. I know that’s hard sometime to accept, but we do have the ability to choose whether to be happy or miserable. Thanks Lynn & Rick!
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Hi Lynn and Rick,
What a great message. It’s true and such a shame that so many people go through life looking for happiness externally when it has to come from inside. Everyone has the power and it can’t be any closer to home. Thanks for your post.
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I think that happiness is a funny thing Lynn & Rick. When I look around me I see lots of people who are financially worse off than me who seem very happy whilst others who are far better off seem miserable.
So it can’t just be money as most people believe, it must be something deeper.
As you suggest it is probably how we see things to be. When someone says to me something like “Its cold today”, I reply with “Yes, isn’t that nice”. It does surprise them a bit, but it makes me feel happier even if I feel colder.
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Fantastic message. You are so right, it is all about choice. Choice of food, choice of attitude, choice of action.
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The one great things about social mathematic is that if you are truly honest with yourself while you are mapping your situation, then you will be able to see the step by step path that you took to arrive in the place that you are. With that said I really do not believe in the idea of ” I say I am happy, so I am happy”. This is one reason I believe some people will never change their lives, because they will convince themselves that they are happy in their situation when they are truly not. This is where people can start wearing blinders, I am not saying this is what your are saying, but there are people who will do this. I do know that changing the way you think about things is the first step to becoming happy in your life. The next step is to undo the actions that got you there. If you cannot undo your actions then just do not repeat them. By doing this and focusing your mind on being happy. I believe in time true happiness will start to grow inside of you.
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I love the topic but have always been confused by the idea of choosing to be happy despite circumstances. I like, for example, the idea to take a step back and fully experience the moment (as Tony wrote) but I wonder how that works when the moment is extreme pain from having been burned in a fire. Does repeating “I am happy” over and over really work? Does it make sense to deny the truth? “I am overweight but I am happy about it.” Some people say that – is it good to exhort those to “choose happiness”? What I like and can truly identify with are your words… ” You can firstly accept what is so and then take definitive steps to change it.” Choosing to take actions, yes actions to create a happier environment where possible, strikes me as doable and advisable.
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Lynn and Rick,
This is a great message. I’ve always held the belief that happiness should be attainable for everyone. Some people cannot be happy and I feel really sorry for them. Happiness makes us healthier and live longer lives. I hope everyone can find a way to be more happy.
Thanks.
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Great message! I’ve always held the believe that we have the power to create our own reality – I choose to be happy and positive, in fact I write about that often. Thanks for the inspiration!
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“Don’t go far in search for happiness. It’s already staring you in the face!” I have used this time and again when dealing with my kids going through the challenges of growing up. It’s a question of perspective. And it starts in the mind! I remember hanging a picture of a cat looking at himself in the mirror, right next to the mirror in one of my daughters bathroom. The picture showed the cat looking at himself and seeing an imposing lion as his reflection. It was pretty powerful.
Keep the Smiles,
Stevie
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I like your perspective of happiness. Me? I always try to look at the world around me like a 2 year old would – everything is amazing and delightful when you let yourself see the world this way.
Jeff
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It truly is a choice! I’d like to add something to it, though… “I am happy and grateful now that I am _________” and fill in the blank with whatever I genuinely want to be. It is magical!!
Thank you for the uplifting post!
Willena Flewelling
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Beautiful post Lynn and Rick!
I wake up everyday and say, “Today’s gonna be a GREAT day!” It seriously works like a charm and sets the tone for the rest of the day. I have also found it helpful to start the day of with some self growth and writing down the things I’m grateful for.
I think some of the causes for so much unhappiness is a lack of money and purpose for most people. This is why I’m so passionate about helping others do what they love and turn it into a business. I think ultimately it solves the problem of money and fulfillment all with one shot!
You are so right on! Happiness is a choice so choose to be happy!
You’re never fully dressed without a smile, so don’t leave the house without one.
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Lynn and Rick Reply:
August 24th, 2011 at 4:02 PM
Roshanda, Love your last line about not being fully dressed. Excellent. And, your philosophy seems to match ours as we are investigating a re-invention of ourselves. Thanks, for stopping by. LnR
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For me, true happiness only happens when we take a step back from the chaos and allow ourselves to fully experience the moment. Happiness is the best experience that you will have and will treasure for the rest of your life. And also, if you have contentment in everything, true happiness comes in.
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Lynn and Rick Reply:
August 24th, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Love your insights, Tony. Satisfaction in your life certainly helps to elevate your happiness. So, being content with what’s so will help. LnR
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