Are you happy? I mean genuinely happy on a regular basis. Do you smile when you walk down the street? Do you greet your fellow workers with a smile?
If not, when will you be happy?
Many of us tell ourselves, “I’ll be happy when…
- The new year starts
- My health improves
- My relationship improves
- The economy improves
- I get a new car
- I get my career on track
- I move to a better location
- I get a raise
- I lose 10 pounds
- I exercise more often
- After my vacation
The truth is that none of these things will make you happy. Happiness is something we seek as if it is a thing like the Holy Grail. Instead, happiness is a feeling that comes from the experiences in life and our attitude about them, which contribute to an overall feeling of contentment (or not). Sometimes we feel content, sometimes not, but happiness is around you every day—it’s just that sometimes we have to look closer for it.
And, happiness can be transitory, temporary. Once you experience happiness, it may not stay even though we are led to believe it is permanent. Happiness is a state of mind that comes from how you perceive your life. It won’t come from the things you seek, but rather from the attitude you have about this journey called life.
You don’t have to sail all the way around the world to find happiness. I’ve already done that. It was a monumental undertaking, and you know where it led me? Right back to where I started from. And all that time, the happiness was right inside of me. And it’s inside of you.
Happiness is up to you. You can continually wait for better days, or you can decide to look for the joy, the opportunities, the smiles, and the good in every day. You get to choose. I recommend you choose happiness.
Absolutely Right! Happines is a state of mind! Only you can decide which way you are going to live. Live with gratitude for all the blessings you have or live wishing you had all the things you don’t need anyway just to be Happy! My mother had a Happiness Attitude she instilled in all my family. When she died we put her philosophy in her obituary. This is how simple life can be and really is…”Just Keep on the Sunny Side of Life!” Everyday no matter how bad of a day you think it was there is always a Sunny Side of Life!!! Great Blog!
Thank you Dennis! It was my mother Julia who instilled this in me too! I appreciate your comments.
Larry
Your message could not be more perfectly stated. Happiness is an inside job and is not dependent on who we’re with, what we’re doing, or what is occurring. It is a state of mind we choose to live in. Pursuing your passion and purpose in life will actually induce feelings of happiness. But living in a state of gratitude produces deep and lasting joy.
Well said, Larry. Your words and life are an inspiration to all.
Janet Pfeiffer, The Secret Side of Anger
Thank you Janet. I love your term that happiness is an “inside job!” Thanks for the comments.
Larry
Larry,
You are so right on! Great message to share with those who have not figured this out yet. When I met you I was sure there was something unique and special about you, and now I know what it is! Your outlook on life is fresh, enlightening and contagious! I am honored to have met you at the Speakers School with Ed Tate and Darren LaCroix.
Deborah
HI Deborah, great to hear from you here on my blog. Hope you’re keeping up the good anti-bullying work! Hope to see you in Las Vegas!
Larry
Love your message in this compelling blog entry, Larry. I think most people around our age can identify with the circles of life we create and ultimately returning to something we instinctively knew about ourselves as children and largely ignored until our “third act” as Jane Fonda so eloquently states it. I’m glad you’re a voice for that sentiment and that you’re making yourself available for presentations around the world to talk about the heart of your most beautifully written book.
HI Mary, Thanks so much for the beautiful comments! I love helping to spread the word about choosing happiness!
Larry
Hey Larry, my friend Mary McKay directed me to your blog on website. I loved your comments on happiness, which are very similiar to mine. A myth? you bet! reframe happiness and guess what ——happiness.
Check out my website http://www.patriciaweaver.net At 75 years of age I’m producing a documentary called “I am One of the Children of The Greatest Generation”. I’ve never made a film of any kind before. Exciting – yes, happiness – yes!
Loved your face book page – I’m on facebook at Pat Weaver. Cheers!
Hi Patricia, Looked at your site and yes, we do indeed have a lot of similar philosophies. Congrats on the movie–great idea! Too many Pat Weavers on facebook…friend me/”like my page” please so we can stay in touch.
Larry
I appreciate your thoughts on happiness. You are so right in saying that happiness comes from the inside. Trusting in external happenings to give satisfying and consistent happiness is a whole lot like trying to get a fist full of water to carry along one’s journey in case thirst is experienced. When we think it will be there to slack our thirst, the water has long since gone. Like the water, happiness dissipates and disappears along the way. Maintaining a happy or joyfilled attitude truly is a choice. As you know and have so succinctly stated, it is not the external circumstances which result in a state of happiness, but it is our decision to call on the grace within us to live in a constant state of unexplainable joy in spite of what may come against us in our journey through life; therefore, our response to any given set of circumstances is the kicker. Maintaining an attitude of happiness or joy depends on whether or not we consistently nurture an “attitude of gratitude” about everything. Easier said than done, but it is Truth.
I don’t have a web-site or facebook page as I am not a technical gurue, but I do have access to cyber space and do have an E-mail address.
Martha, you wrote your comment the day my mother passed away. I am certainly being challenged to maintain my happiness and walk my talk! But she is the one who taught all of this to me and so I will go on and continue in her honor, to live a joyous life.
Thank you for writing.
Larry