What makes you happy? Is it when you have a good day at work? Maybe it’s when you see more people that want to be friends with you on Facebook, or when you’re on vacation. Yes, thank goodness for these feel good events that come our way, some planned, some not.
But, what happens when what comes our way doesn’t feel so good? What a downer that you didn’t get that job you were sure you would. Found out that you weren’t invited to THE party? Perhaps you’re just feeling in a funk for no apparent reason.
I have noticed that often we look to outside of ourselves to make us happy – to some event or feedback from others. But that’s like blowing in the wind! We have no control over what others may say or do. So where can that leave us? – disappointed, sad, angry, frustrated, bored – always seeking something to make us feel better.
What if we could create our own happiness no matter what was going on around us? I was exploring this idea and was drawn back to the work of Ester Hicks. Ester is the channel of Abraham and was one of the first to introduce the concept of law of attraction. If you’re unfamiliar with Ester’s work, it’s worth checking out at AbrahamHicks.com. She’s got lots to offer on YouTube and from books too.
So, I’ve been experimenting with this idea of creating my own happiness. For example, before I get out of bed in the morning I decide that I’m going to be happy this day. I decide that I will notice things to be happy about and I will plan to make room in my day to do things that make me happy. It doesn’t have to be a big thing. Maybe it’s treating myself to ice cream, or picking up the phone and wishing someone a happy birthday.
Then, as the day goes along, I PAY ATTENTION to the happy moments I feel, and more than that, I SAVOUR them as they arise.
No doubt something will come up that wants to burst the happiness bubble. Maybe it’s something that I’ve been worried about or not looking forward to that pops into my mind once again. Life happens right?! I noticed there was a circle of thoughts and emotions so that what I thought, I felt, and what I felt, I thought. That’s ok. The thing is to notice when you’re starting to feel not so happy. Then, just acknowledge it, put it aside for now and gently focus back on something around you that brings a smile to your face.
All of this sounds pretty easy right? Well, I’ve found, not so much. In fact at the beginning I was quite surprised at how conditioned my happiness was to what’s going on around me. But, like other things in life, practice helps. If you keep at it, as I did, you may find you’re feeling happier more often than not each day. It seems that happiness really is an inside job.
Choose to try it out. Let me know how it goes. Bye for now.
Be Love,
Terry