Happiness
Happiness
Lately, I’ve had much time to reflect which usually can be a struggle, because we all know, life is just busy. We’re busy being parents, or busy with our jobs, busy with our groups, our families, taking care of our homes etc. This does not include all the things we worry about as well, like financial wellbeing, economics, inflation, politics, interest rates and house costs etc. I can go on and on about how busy life can be, we all experience it. Is this an excuse to not make time for oneself? Is it right to put aside time for you, and busy yourself with endless lists and obligations instead? Of course not, yet we do it all the time. When we do this, we lose ourselves further, become more disconnected, struggle mentally, and slide down that slippery slope towards unhappiness. Making time for ourselves, and reflecting on who we are, where we are, where we’re going, and what we want our life to be, is the most important business in your world. Focusing on this business is your stairway to happiness, to fulfillment, to living a life with meaning.
We all have flaws, anxieties, and sometimes become irritated with life. Life is full of challenges, pain, loss, misunderstandings and sadness. It is important to know that you are not alone when you think, feel, or focus on these things. Please, read this last line again. “You are not alone.” This is very common amongst many people. I would like to address these things that cause unhappiness and suggest things that will serve you better to focus on. Things such as the people that appreciate, admire and love you. You are special to someone and you may not even know it. Happiness folks, is not having a perfect life. It’s not enduring a life without pain or sorrow. It’s not a life where you don’t experience hardship, fear, uncertainty and crisis. These things are a big part of life. It is by reflecting and giving recognition to the existence of these things that will allow you to know happiness. Understanding their purpose will give you the cornerstones to happiness, so that you may build a life filled with joy. Where there is joy, there is rue. You cannot have joy or find happiness without experiencing regret and sorrow. They are brothers, and live together harmoniously.
I want you to remember that happiness is not having a sky without storms, walking without accidents, working without fatigue, personal relationships without disappointments. Being happy is finding strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, confidence in fear, love in discord.
Pope Francis
Being happy is not just about valuing the smile, but also about reflecting on the sorrow. It’s not about just cherishing ones successes, it is equally important learning the lessons from failure. It’s not just joy brought on from others applauding your achievements, but by the joy obtained from achieving while remaining anonymous. Life is full of hardships and emotional or physical crisis. Happiness is found in recognizing that life is worth living for, despite all these things. Happiness is not a destination and something to be achieved, it is journey for those who live their lives with authenticity, and know how to travel within their own being. Those who can hear “no” even from those they love and not become offended. They remain courageous while walking amongst all the chaos and uncertainty, and are able to find an oasis of peace, deep in their soul. Happiness is not something you achieve, it is something that comes from within. It is more of a conquest.
Do not give up on living. Do no give up on happiness. Life is a beautiful play that is not to be missed. If you make a mistake during your journey, start again. Don’t spend your time comparing to others. Don’t spend your time wishing on things you want. Instead, spend your time focusing on the things you have. Focus on the joys, like children, friends or family, but also focus on the sorrow or pain. If it is failure, then what are the lessons you learned. If it is loss, then use it to grow your patience. If it is an obstacle, then use it to open a door. If it is anger, then use it to teach forgiveness. The trials and tribulations one experiences in life are really gateways to happiness. Avoiding unhappiness is not the road to happiness. Have the confidence to receive criticism, even if it is unfair. Cuddle your children, hug your parents, relish in the poetic moments with your friends, even if all these people hurt you. Do not be afraid of your feelings, have the sensitivity to say “I need you”, the humility to admit you were wrong, the courage to ask for forgiveness, and the openness to say “I love you.” My wish is that we all work towards happiness by recognizing the importance of unhappiness. Use this knowledge to grow your happiness within and then radiate your joys back out onto this world, back onto others, helping them as well to discover happiness in ways they may never have before. Do this and I ensure that at the end of your time you will look back at a very fulfilled life. A life full of meaning, full of happiness.
No Fences 
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