No one and nothing makes me happy.
That’s right. I said no one and nothing makes me happy.
But I am happy.
I’m responsible for my happiness.
I hated the first job I took after college.
If I just had a better job…
I found a better job. But I still didn’t like it.
If I just had an even better job…
And I found yet another job. My third in just a little over a year. The pay was even better. The benefits were even better. But I still wasn’t happy.
Then one day I realized the problem wasn’t the job. It was me. So I decided to stop whining, and just do the best I could. A funny thing happened when I stopped the negative thoughts. Suddenly I was happy. I still had the same job, but I wasn’t miserable anymore. And doing my job well lead to even better opportunities.
Happiness isn’t ice cream, or money or even being loved by the right person.
Happiness is a choice. A choice to be content with what you have, and where you are. A choice to accept your circumstances, and make the best of them. Or a choice to move forward, change your circumstances, and not linger in a sea of bitterness.
Waiting for a better job, more money, a nicer house, a newer car or whatever it is that you desire most to make you happy won’ t work. You might get your deepest desire, but there will always be One More Thing that you need no matter how many of your wishes are granted, and you’ll never be happy.
You have a choice. Choose happiness.
Life Lessons is a weekly series about wisdom gathered from life experience, lessons learned the hard way, moments of If I Knew Then What I Know Now, and revelations of Oh, They Did Know What They Were Talking About.
I absolutely agree. You said it well, sista!
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Such a great lesson, and a hard one to remember in times of frustration. The grass seems always greener, but when you realize that the cliche isn’t so true, happiness comes so easily.
Happiness IS really an attitude. I have to pay attention when “bad” things start happening that I don’t allow that to cloud my perception of the day!
Choose Your Attitude!!
I admit there are some days I choose to wallow in my own misery and unhappiness, but for the most part I CHOOSE to be happy!!!
This is perfect. Perfectly awesome!
I wrote something that kind of relates a while back – called “My Summer Pledge” – about not waiting until this or that is done before spending quality time with my kids.
Same kind of concept here – embrace the now. Stop telling yourself (and others) “just wait until I finish this, get this, go there, etc.” before you allow yourself to be satisfied and engaged with now.
LOVE it!
I’m stalking you for a new blog design and loving your blog!
Cate
Very true! I choose happiness too! Well, most of the time, my computer has been making me very unhappy lately. Oh, well, I just have to try harder.
My daughter always sees the negative in life. I found a small poster that says ” MISERY IS ALWAYS OPTIONAL” it sits by her bed and she reads it every morning, it helps. 🙂