Happiness Resides Within
When a person is asked what he or she most wants out of life for themselves, the answer is usually related to happiness. It is so common to hear the default declaration of "If only X, Y, and Z happened, I'd finally be happy!" Do we really think another person or another thing or another place will ever really contain the golden ticket to our never-ending happiness? This is an illusion!
Let's say we have it set in our heart that owning our dream home is where our happiness resides. So then we strive with either a positive or negative attitude and work our butts off until we finally purchase it. Initially, yes, it will seem we are overcome with joy, that period of "happy dancing" takes place and we think our dream has come true... Until the "newness" starts to wear off and our once dreamhouse is now just simply considered home, and an obligation to pay for and clean. So then we create a new dream! We start to believe the new car that came out with all the fancy features will make our lives so much better! Now that will make us happy! Right?
We begin to see a pattern emerge...
Outside-of-self goals once achieved, soon after, will forever continue to beckon us to keep creating new things to obtain again and again and again. Why? Because that "happy feeling" will always be temporary as long as we keep trying to find it outside of ourselves. We become brainwashed into thinking happiness is something to be chased! This is not to say we should not seek or enjoy material pleasures, but to rather come from a place of gratitude rather than expectation -- a mindset that truly understands the difference between wants and needs.
We do not need an over-sized house, we need shelter. We do not need gourmet five-course meals, we need food. We do not need top of the line designer labels, we need clothing. We do not need twenty options of beverages, we just need water! There is an utter lack of honest personal reflection and thankfulness and an abundance of sad/angry/desperate faces! It is time to take a clear look at our lives. Can you say that you have shelter, food, water, and clothing? If you can say yes, seriously look at how blessed you are! Make a choice to become aware of the countless millions that do not have or struggle deeply to have what is actually necessary to support human life. At the same time, why do you think that some of the poorest countries have some of the happiest people?
We must fill our entire being with gratitude by honestly appreciating what we already do have! We cannot go around constantly expecting more and more while becoming emotionally attached to obtaining locations, people, and things and think that is the path to a joyful life. It does not work this way! We must learn to become happy where we are with what we have! You are all you need! Even if you think you have nothing, you will always have yourself! And if you also have the love of family and friends, your blessings are even greater than you realize! SEE THAT -- see how much there is to smile about! With a kind and grateful heart and an attitude that strives to give instead of take, you will find more happiness and abundance in your life than you ever thought possible! The time is NOW!
