Chasing Happiness
Happiness is fleeting. It is an ‘energy’ that can be here one minute, and gone the next. It is a shape-shifter, representing itself in various ways to each person. It can arrive in the arms of a loving partner or on the back of a supportive friend. Our jobs can make us happy one day and frustrated the next. Our careers can make us happy overall, yet that ‘happiness’ doesn’t transcend to personal life. Happiness is merely an energy that inspires the bearer to feel a sense of ‘elated calmness’. It is a powerful, healing energy that makes the heart excited; the mind relaxed; and the soul rejuvenated. It is a ‘drug’ to which many become addicted. It is an elusive ‘state of mind’ that takes control of the individual and changes their mood, behavior, perception, thought process and emotional performance.
Many spend a lot of time, energy and money on attempting to ‘acquire’ happiness. They read, research, study, investigate, join groups and attend seminars to find out how this ‘thing’ can be theirs. They spend wads of money on things and people in an effort to experience this ‘thing’. They stop smoking, start working out, change their eating habits and practice meditation to foster an ‘environment’ suitable for the arrival of this magnificent ‘thing’.
Perhaps we should focus less on seeking this ‘thing’ and apply more focus on defining this ‘thing’. For me, by definition, happiness is making my boyfriend laugh out loud…it’s seeing my mom and her siblings interact…it’s watching ‘The Walking Dead’…it’s getting a good night sleep…it’s helping someone to heal through a reading…it’s getting a good car wash. As I focus more on the ‘components’ of happiness rather than on the totality of it, I’m able to consciously note and re-experience the numerous times I’ve been happy. And it then becomes clear to me that happiness is not something to be acquired, nor is it developed…it is discovered. The ability to be happy resides inside of me; I simply have to make the decision to be so.
~Namaste~
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