As reported in the Washington Post article, Americans are getting more miserable, and there’s data to prove it, it’s understandable that finding more happiness in our lives is one of the most popular goals for the new year. Are you among the many wanting to feel more joy? That feeling is much closer and attainable than you may believe.
If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the world belongs to you.”
Lao Tzu
The truth is, happiness is a matter of personal interpretation. It’s based on our unique, individual values, beliefs and life experiences. It’s not a one size fits all and, sorry to say, it’s a temporary feeling based on what’s happening in our life, at-that-moment! It’s defined as a “state of mind deriving from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others and it’s not a constant emotional state.”
I remember when I was in my 20s the realization hit me to seek joy in not what happens or doesn’t happen but the gratitude of all that I have. I felt immediate relief! I was empowered knowing that “happiness” is a result of my interpretation of my life and more importantly, my choices, present and future that determined my level of life satisfaction. I was more than happy to get off the roller-coaster of emotions that allowed external situations dictate whether or not I felt happy and move towards genuine appreciation of my life.
Do people influence our mood? For sure! Do situations impact our state of affairs? Most definitely! The key is to accept that what other people feel, and many of life’s circumstances are not and cannot always be in our control.
What is in our control is how we live our life based on our actions and reactions. It’s possible to live in a state of satisfaction if we choose what works in our life based on our goals and our dreams. We’ve either forgotten or haven’t yet realized this is truly possible. When we do this, we no longer live each day at the mercy of people and situations beyond our control to “make” us happy. We know that being content lies in living true to our personal nature. True to ourselves.
Wishing you a year full of days where you find the joy in the little things, feel the contentment of your choices and actions, and the carefreeness that every moment is a fresh, new opportunity born to make changes that’ll bring good change!
Keep it Simple,
Just Teri
jtjustteri.wordpress.com 