Joy, Contentment, Bliss, Euphoria
Happiness is to choose a positive outlook on life, to remember what one is grateful for and let that be the focal point, not only at festive occasions, but in our everyday chores. To be happy is accessible to all people, regardless of status, religion, gender, ethnicity or location, as long as our basic needs are met. This is why it is so important to make sure everyone has food and shelter. Because happiness is a feeling of balance and harmony, you can never achieve this feeling by looking for a better job, buy expensive brand clothes or show off an attractive spouse. It is rather so that this superficiality will in fact hinder our pursuit of happiness.
I remember waking up one morning many years ago and decided that I was going to choose my own happiness from that point on. I still have days I have to remind myself of it, but I always make that choice. I look and focus on the good side. I decided that day that whatever I had to deal with, I would remain happy. Instead of pursuing something, I found that our natural state is in deed happiness and most of our other emotions are just layers of Ego, obstructing our happiness.
What makes you happy is of course subjective, just like our taste in music or what makes us laugh. A common notion is that it is something that moves us deeply. When our gratitude and experienced emotions land in harmony, happiness becomes the result. Often other people play a a part, someone dear to us reciprocate or we get validation for a job well done. But it can also be the exhilarating feeling of walking barefoot on dewy grass early in the morning while listening to birds sing. Or maybe when your laundry is done, your house has been cleaned and you have an hour of time on your own, lighting a few candles, and kicking back and relax.
Example
To be creative, makes me happy. When I get an idea and try to carry it out without thinking of time and place, when I am in flow, then I am happy. It can be creating a collage of pictures and words and ponder about why I was so drawn to cut them out. Or it can be at a dance-class with my sweat pouring, having a tough teacher pushing me through my self-imposed boundaries. It is when my body and my brain cooperate in complete focus so I can express my deepest emotions to the music, I gain access to that place inside where happiness resides. Maybe it is just a matter of allowing us to be in our emotions a little more, to be passionate.
One of my neighbors in Sweden, once became severely agitated and lashed out on me for being happy. He said he couldn't understand why I was always smiling and happy if I at the same time was unemployed, had toothache, was broke and single. How dared I be more happy then he, that had a job and a girlfriend? How could it even be possible? Then he turned around and proceeded into his own apartment. Two days later, he rang on my door to apologize. He said he realized it was just his own envy that had him become so angry with me and he was indeed intrigued how I had found such happiness and could express it. I said it is when we think we need to accomplish certain results first, we push away our ability to be happy in the present moment. Instead, when we allow ourselves to be who we are, and allow the world to be what it is, imperfections and all, then we open the door to happiness.
Happiness lives in your heart too. Listen and choose to be.
Exercise
What makes you laugh and gives you good energy?
How often do you spend time doing that thing?
Look at nature and indulge yourself in its beauty, satisfy your senses by being a part of nature, by being that flower you are.
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