“Ice cream is proof that God wants us to be happy,” read the sign as I drove down highway 93.
I do believe that happiness works as a paramount factor in our lives, not just a good feeling or smiley face, but true joy springing up within.
I do believe that true happiness is a Divine communion. “My soul doth magnify the Lord,” Mary proclaimed in the Gospels. Our souls are part of God and do magnify, reflect, and manifest the Source of happiness.
This deep well of happiness supports us through every situation in our lives. You’ve heard the saying, “He/She has never had a bad day.” That’s it!
Happiness is not because of success. It’s not the sum of our accomplishments, nor what we own, who we know, where we travel, what we drive, where we live, how much money we have, or even how we feel.
Happiness is more of a habit, a frame of mind and not a goal. It’s a state of being that sees us through the good times and bad, the good health and illness, and in the light of knowing and the darkness of the unknown. Happiness is the chosen attitude deeply embedded in gratitude, appreciating just “being.”
We are human beings, not human doers. We get caught up in the doing, having, and accomplishing. We love to check off the “to do” list, feeling satisfied and “happy”.
But when we can’t “do”, or “have”, can we still be happy? When we find ourselves squirming in our own skin, can we find happiness?
During those difficult times remember “to be”….
Be helpful, be silent, be alone, be strong, be friendly, be a risk taker, be loyal, be creative, be content, be grateful, just be who you are, where you are, and what you are. Don’t waste time trying to be someone else or don’t stress out about the things that you cannot change.
What is the one thing that is most important in happiness?
I asked this question taking an informal survey on FB and the input will give us more food for thought. Thanks to all of you who participated. I’m blessed with all my “friends”!
Because I think we all learn from each other, I wanted to share some of the responses:
Faith, good health, peace of mind, love, satisfaction.
Somebody to love and care for.
I have to start with Jesus.
Expectations – If you expect nothing, everything you’re given becomes a special blessing.
Learning how to do what you can then give the worry to Someone who can carry it for you.
Turning within for comfort, guidance, inspiration.
Accepting your reality and deciding to be happy with it.
Faith in God strong enough to give Him your worries.
Personal growth.
To love and be loved.
Acceptance and Patience.
Optimism.
Don’t linger in the past.
Accepting your reality and deciding to be happy.
Wonderment
Self love – for that
Find the good in everything and everyone.
Be able to give to others.
Love and service.
Love, it’s the energy of the world.
Gratitude for the bounties life provides, health, having enough cold, hard cash for the things we need, freedom in all its forms as individuals and as citizens, connections to people, planet, and spiritual.
So if the well-spring of happiness seems to be drying up with stressful winds, remember to stay in the moment in gratitude with some of these ideas, no matter what how impossible that may seem.
What is one important factor in your happiness?
