The definition of happiness is different for each of us. Elizabeth Barrett Browning said “God have us two hands, one to receive joy and happiness, the other to give it away.” I have found it feels wonderful to give, and it also feels great to be open to receiving.
Not knowing how to give or receive happiness from not feeling worthy is a place that definitely needs shifting. There are times in all of our lives that we go through the dark night of the soul. There is not one person in this world that has not had challenges to overcome. It’s how we handle those challenges that determine the level of our happiness, as well as our ability to shine our inner light out to the world.
It’s not always the big things that make us happy, but the little one’s we celebrate every day. Then when the big pleasures come along, we are better prepared to receive them. There is an abundance of “Happiness Keys” all around us. One simple and glorious one is a beautiful sunset. I often see people stopping their cars to watch the sunsets here in Laguna Beach, or they are out taking photos as a reminder of such beauty and perfection. Nature has endless ways to bring us joy – all for free! Think about hugging your child. Sharing a meal with people you love. Sitting in front of a warm fire on a cold night. Perusing your favorite bookstore or a million other things you can think about doing to bring you to that happy place inside. Gratitude is another essential key our happiness.
The more time you spend being happy, the more unhappiness will be pushed out. There simply won’t be room for it anymore! Isn’t that amazing? Rebecca Stuttelle said “We need to live life with a burning passion. No fire, no heat – no heat, no life.
Like all great accomplishments living to be happy is a choice. When you say YES to happiness, it says YES to YOU! Let go of the what if’s and say “why not.” Why not you? If other people can be happy, you can too. Remember Mark Twain said “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade-winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Think about what makes your happiness expand instead of worrying about what the world wants from you, or who it wants you to be. Believe in yourself and all you can be. In this way you will be happier, more appreciative of all the good qualities in people and in life. Begin today and live your happiness with gusto, for it is a great way to travel down this road called life.
Debra Oakland
Photo by holmart.wordpress.com
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