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The Happiness Habit.
This applies to the events and conditions of our life as well as people.
A wise woman once told me that if I cultivated a happiness habit I would always have a natural home to return to if life became challenging…that it would easier to bounce back from most adversity.
But I was fifteen and who really cares about this stuff at that age? Not me.
So many of the things I learned went in one ear and out the other, till much later in my life.
But it wasn’t too difficult for me to cultivate a happiness habit. According to my Mum I was predisposed to being happy since I was born with a smile on my face. I have no clue about this, but Mum believed it and so I did too.
I’ve never really known depression, but I’ve know the despondency of heart-wrenching sadness.
I’ve stood in front of a dark tunnel looking over my shoulder at what was, desperately longing for it to still be there…it wasn’t.
I’ve walked towards a tiny pinpoint of light through utter black darkness, stumbling, falling to my knees in supplicant prayer, then getting up and pressing onwards, hurt beyond measure.
And I’ve experienced grace. I’ve been held in the palm of an unseen hand, comforted and safe until I was ready to stand by myself again. Joys and heartache have been my companions on life’s journey, just as they may be yours. And I’m still standing.
I wouldn’t presume to know what is happening in your life, but I do know that when things happen in our outer world, we don’t have to react in our inner world, we don’t have to feed and reinforce our outer world reality.
Happiness doesn’t exist in the outer world. Too bad, wouldn’t it be handy to carry it around in our handbag or wallets and get it out when we need it? But it’s an inside job.
Be inner directed or outer distracted, it’s up to you.
We are unlimited in our consciousness and can choose how we think about events and conditions. Since we are at choice, why not choose joy, serenity, peace, jubilation or comfort or even happiness. You are more powerful than you know. Choose well.
Remember, if you create great habits a great life will follow.
Encourage each other.
Love Elle.
xoxo
Wonderfully inspiring post Elle. Your wisdom, and passion, jump off the page. When you write, “Happiness doesn’t exist in the outer world.” I know exactly what you mean – we need to find happiness within ourselves. And when we do, we make the world happier.
Alex
Thank you Alex, I truly appreciate your comments and have definitely found it to be true that our energy of happiness flows out to the world around us.
great stuff! writing worth reading. stumbled on your blog about a month ago. the best virtual stumble thus far. yay! thank you for the inspiration Elle.
– kindest regards
– lee
Happy you ‘stumbled’ upon me lee and thanks for taking the time to tell me!
Hi Elle,
Happiness is your Friend. Treat him/her well. Thankyou.
be good to yourself
David
Love the Viktor Frankl quote. Love what you wrote. Love how you write.
I’m pleased and proud to say I’m still standing too through joys and heartache. And I too have learned to focus and embrace the good and the beauty. I wasn’t necessarily born with a smile on my face but I’ve discovered,learned and incorporated the excitement and passion of living life well.
Thank you so much Harriet for your oh so kind and loving words. How wonderful that you’ve discovered a passion for living life well. There’s nothing like it 🙂
Nice words. I have often seen video of children in very poor countries laughing and playing, unconcerned that they should have more to be happy about. They are happy because they are playing, because they have their friends and family, and some food to eat that day. The basics. Everyone has the right to be happy, and if they can be in their situation, shouldn’t we?
Yes, Grampa Ken, we most certainly should. For those who aren’t though, we can wish them joy and happiness.