What is happiness? Happiness is a matter of perspective. If you live in a state of comparison, you have already taken the possibility of glee out of the equation. When you live in a world of “I’ll be happy when ___” you are not doing yourself any favors. You must see the light and have gratitude for things big and small, because if you can find happiness in the basic necessities, the rest of life is a cherry on top. Focusing on what others have, or what you don’t have already, can grow into a negative mind set. Although creating and meeting goals is important, don’t get confused with having a goal versus comparing what you have to what you wish you had. Imagine having a goal as the positive self using a common theme to continue to persevere, while comparison is a negative attribute of the self because it doesn’t stir up inspiration, but rather doubt, greed, and envy. It robs us of our own growth along our journey. In order to accomplish your goals, trust that you are exactly where you were meant to be and one day, with hard work, you will obtain it all. When you develop a state of humility, acceptance, and appreciation, then no matter your circumstance you’ll find happiness. Another way to achieve happiness is to avoid hatred and resentment within the sacred walls of your heart. That doesn’t mean you should staunch the feelings you have throughout the day. Instead, imagine letting those feelings pass so you may be present in the moment. Negative thoughts do happen and you cannot keep them from cropping up, but it is up to you as an individual to stay connected to the positivity within, and to allow the other energies to pass through your mind. The thing about energy is it cannot be created nor destroyed, just transferred. Heat is the absence of cold, light is the absence of dark, and love is the absence of hate, so to achieve a soul filled with warmth, light, and love we must rid ourselves of the dark demons, the cold hearted thoughts, the destructive actions, and hate within us. Our brains have the ability to be ever changing and adapting to the world around us, called neuroplasticity. It is constantly able to design and form new connections within the trillions of neurons that makeup its chemistry. Those new connections allow us to learn literally anything, and with practice and intent, those connections are fortified. Happiness and positive thinking are developed from the same process— the more you practice, the easier it becomes.
Our true nature is gentle and kind, not negative and destructive, as evidenced by young children. They learn how to think, feel, and act from culture and society, but at the base level they are happy and peaceful. As we age, we learn and experience things that desensitize us and promote the less wholesome lifestyle that has permeated our culture. Those forces actually serve to build up walls as a self defense mechanism from the onslaught of negativity, from consumerism, online bullying, racism, sexism, animal cruelty, you name it. So using the same process of learning, we unknowingly develop negative trends and habits. We are constantly protecting ourselves from the closed mindedness of others, and that only strengthens the negative mindset. In order to grow and uncover our innermost emotions, as well as release all of those unnecessary self defense mechanisms, we must be willing to be vulnerable. Studies in the field of emotional wellness have been finding, with consistency, that vulnerability is actually the largest factor in what defines courage. It requires an uncomfortability that you don’t experience in many ways, and conquering that feeling is the key to true happiness and fulfillment. Ultimately, happiness can be found and sought through self service (taking care of yourself through exercise, healthful eats, and meditation or spiritual wellness), service to others, and being mindfully present. They are all challenging in their own right, which is why just having money won’t provide what everybody seeks. You cannot buy mindfulness, and you cannot purchase self service. It requires attention and awareness, but can be reached one breath at a time. Nurturing and finding balance within the mind, body, and spirit will cultivate success because that is the equilibrium of life.
A note from the author: Thank you so much for taking the time to read a little part of my written soul. I hope something that I have said finds a home within your heart. I would love to connect with any of the beautiful humans that read this blog post. If you have any questions please email me and for more blog posts visit my website and instagram. I am always looking for more inspiration for a new blog piece so if there is something you want to see I am all ears. I wish all of you the best and I look forward to connecting with you in the future.
My website: www.sunshinemerakiyoga.com Instagram: @sunshine.meraki Email: sunshine.meraki.yoga@gmail.com