You probably have “being happy” at the top of your Good Life list. After all, everyone wants to be happy, right? And we’re surrounded by images of happiness, usually tied to having something bigger, better and shinier and often just out of reach. But stop for a moment and think about what true happiness is. Guaranteed it’s not a new car or a big house. True happiness comes from within and isn’t dependent on possessions. You can find real pleasure in the following truths.
- Find happiness in a full life
You can be happy even if things in your life aren’t going the way you planned. A full life has ups and downs, setbacks as well as achievements. Happiness means finding meaning in whatever is happening around and to you. Being grateful for whatever you’re experiencing will make for a happier, more satisfying life.
- Happiness doesn’t depend on other people.
Often people put their happiness in the hands of others. They need external validation to feel good. But relying on other people’s good opinion of you isn’t a healthy way to live.
Check in with how you feel deep in your heart, do the best you can, and let other people worry about themselves.
- Happiness is not pretending
Social media is full of people pretending to have perfect lives. They don’t. No one does. The happiness you see on TV or your social media feed may be genuine, maybe not. But remember everyone is showing the best of their lives. Likely a lot of them are pretending to be happier than they are. No one is going to post their latest fight or talk about being fired. So, the online world you see, that’s full of promotions, and happy families is an illusion. The real world is much more nuanced, and genuine happiness doesn’t happen in a bubble.
- True happiness comes from within
It might sound like a truism/cliché, but true happiness does come from within yourself. If you expect someone else to make you happy, whether it’s a partner, friend or child, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. And giving them an unrealistic and unfair responsibility. The only person responsible for your happiness is you.
True happiness comes from a deep connection to yourself, from self-knowing and self-acceptance. And once you have that, all your relationships will be energized and happier!
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay</span
Comments
In depth and to the point as always Lefty. "Check in with how you feel deep in your heart, do the best you can, and let other people worry about themselves." This is something that you continue to help me with. This is a gift that I get to decide how I want to feel deep in my heart. I am now much more aware than I used to be of how my heart is feeling and with that I can help myself, wife, children and everyone around much much better. Mahalo
I do not consider the Ha! Ha!'s being happy. Those times are very enjoyable and fun times. Happiness is the deep sense of peace you talked about.
Great article Lefty. I would say most days I'm pretty happy today, but I want to experience even more happiness and "go with the flow" better. I realize there will be times when I'm not happy, and I want to teach my kids that it's ok to not "feel good" or be happy all the time. Feelings are temporary, but underneath feelings there is a deep peace that I've found and continue to cultivate.You said it well right here, "Happiness means finding meaning in whatever is happening around and to you".