Happiness...

Good morning dear reader. And welcome to my world for another week. In my weekly journey I am typically at the Riverside Pool & gym between 4 & 5 times a week. So, my thoughts today having been with me a few weeks now; my hope for those who provided this inspiration is one of finding your serenity ~ somewhere…

Whether you consider happiness to be a state of mind or an activity, understand this, happiness needs a level of commitment on our part. You cannot be happy by chance or accidentally. It needs some work. Rather than making excuses or complaining about something, I offer these suggestions so you can become the happy person you should be.

“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” ~ The Dalai Lama One must understand what happiness is. “It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing which makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.” ~ Dale Carnegie

You cannot consider yourself happy if you do not know what happiness means. Many people cannot see the distinguishing lines between happiness & unhappiness. They tend to blame their predicament on poor relationships, spiteful relatives, & unpleasant experiences. No one should be unhappy. It is an option. It is a choice you can make. It starts with making such choices when good or awful things happen to you.

So, take away the negativity in your life. “The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, & not upon our circumstances.” ~ Martha Washington. What is making you unhappy? Learn to determine what is making you unhappy. It could be you are working in a job you don’t really love. Or it could be the people you are surrounded with are people you do not really like.

Whether you are in an unhealthy relationship, doing a job you do not like, or surrounded with negative people always find the factors causing your unhappiness & get rid of them.

Look for the positive things in your life. “It’s a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.” – Lucille Ball. Once negative energy is thrown out of the door, try looking for the positive things in your life. Those things may not be obvious, but they are there. It may be in spending time in solitude, having a healthy body, or having a supportive partner. There is always something worth your positive attention. No matter how awful things may look, always do well to find a good angle to it.

Appreciate the present. “Do not underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you cannot hear, & not bothering.” ~ Winnie the Pooh

Most times, what can be sapping our positive energy & happiness could be we are worrying so much about the future. It is understandable we live in a world where it is impossible not to think about the future & look back at the past. But all this falls on a perspective. Our perspective about being happy & blessed is to focus on the now. The present has all the wonders to offer. Why dwell on things we cannot control?

Create a plan to be happy. “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, & what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi

When you have started taking those mini steps to gain direction to reach happiness, you have to stick to a routine or a plan which works best for you, & makes you happy. There should be no excuses, detours, or self-doubts. Whatever your plan may be, whether it is staying fit or doing charity work, make sure you understand what you are going to gain from the end goal. Understanding this will keep your spirit pumped up & positive.

Be active in positive activities. “The only joy in the world is to begin.” ~ Cesare Pavese. Many people procrastinate & practice wishful thinking. However, having a plan & a dream is not enough. You have to be active & pursue your genuine desires. You should understand, work has to be put forth in order to become happy.

Thank you my friends for taking the time to be with me once again also. I hope my journey this week may encourage someone, ssomwehere; the alternative to appears ghastly…

Until next weekend, this is Kenn Butler in Paradise, Nelson, with my best wishes & to you all a splendid week.
 
 
 
www.kennbutler.com