Happiness… An Examination

Happiness is such a fleeting term.  Here one minute and gone the next.  Sometimes it comes about with ease, other times it is out of sight. 

Too often the reason that our happiness is absent is because of our mind set.  We make assumptions and draw conclusions that are yet to be proven.  How many times are we all guilty of creating our own prison?  It would seem that we all are very capable of giving power to our thoughts.  We transfer this power with such precision that next thing we know we are held captive by ourselves. 

Remember the song “My Own Prison” written by CREED? 

Many times, we are our own worst enemy.  Happiness and freedom are on standby because we have created our own prison. 

Tools to create Happiness…

1) Having something to look forwards too is what helps get you out of bed in the morning.  A goal puts meaning into hard work.  Challenges bring out our competitive side and drive us forwards.  Hope makes everything worth it.

We all need to have something we are working towards.  Without a goal or challenge in front of us, we find ourselves falling into a funk.  You will find happiness in setting goals, working to achieve those goals, and then succeeding in accomplishing those goals.  Knowing this, you must always be establishing new goals to ward off depression. 

2) The capacity for love, work, courage, compassion, resilience, creativity, curiosity, integrity, self-knowledge, moderation, self-control, and wisdom.

These traits are unique because they bring positive rewards.  Another way to imply happiness is by adopting these traits.  These traits are all things we all would like to be said about us at our funerals.  By contrast, no one wants to be called loveless, lazy, coward, cold failure, boring, complacent, bum, stupid, excessive, out of control, or a fool.  Knowing that positive attributes bring happiness, we should always be seeking them.

3) Foster better communities such as justice, responsibility, civility, parenting, nurturance, work ethic, leadership, teamwork, purpose, and tolerance. 

Right living in harmony with others through relationships creates happiness.  Through relationships we provide ourselves with opportunities to love and be loved, give and receive, and trust and be trusted.  Relationships can be hurtful and painful at times, but good and healthy relationships provide the reward of happiness for all parties included. Ways to connect socially are through the giving of your time, finances, or talents.  Giving promotes happiness. 

We hope that you find these tools useful and that you let yourself out of your mental prison.  Have a blessed day!