The pursuit of happiness comes at a cost. It starts as a dream. A plan is laid out, excitement can't help but build.
The journey is begun with the shiny goal at the end of the road. Every step in a forward direction takes work. It becomes your work. It could be class time and homework or time on a punch clock learning the trades. But make no mistake - this is the work that must be done in order to achieve the dream.
What happens if at some point along the journey you decide this isn't going to work for you? You realize your dream comes at a bigger cost than you are willing to continue to pay, or, your dream has changed and you want to pursue another dream?
Or the realities of life stepped in and said, "oh no. You're going in the wrong direction," and you suddenly find yourself someplace you never dreamed. It happens.
All of it can happen. You can be knocked off your course. You can decide to change direction. And sometimes, you acheive the goal. But the question remains:
Are you happy?
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Comments
NanciArvizu, Some researchers link many of the world's revolutions either with extreme duress or with an unpopular government's tentative concessions. Sociological studies list financial and physical security as preferable to personal happiness until discomfort and stress reach critical levels. They ultimately suggest that the devil that is known loses in the long term to the devil that is unknown: in other words, as you say, "An important and often skipped step in the search for happiness is figuring our what it is in our lives that is making us unhappy. Sometimes facing such things can be a scary task, forcing us to make serious and difficult decisions. But, if you've been unhappy for a long time, if you don't change it, you will continue to be unhappy."
When re-reading this article, I gained some ideas that are useful to me in my position as chairman of a troubled voluntary society, whose internal culture I have been endeavouring to transform. I am going to try to ask members to focus away from their grudges and grievances to make meetings happy occasions. So thanks,Nancy.
It struck me today when gardening [February 7th 2016] that comfort and happiness are not necessarily connected. I was digging wet ground in a cold wind, and it was an effort that left me tired, but the happiness I gain from gardening was not even slightly lessened by the conditions in which I was working. The spiritual value of gardening does not depend upon comfort.
Exactly. Being grateful ;)
To be happy focus on being rather than having.
Thank You Linda! I'm happy you "finally" found the article ;0 Since writing this I've experienced a few more "shifts" by making the choice to be happy about the circumstances of the moment. Just by changing my mind and my feelings, I enjoyed the task(s) and so much more.
I have a friend who is a life coach. One of her top things she says we must take care of are the things that "annoy" us - like a broken screen or a dent in the car door - so we can focus on the good things. Balance of all things, understanding everything happens for a reason, be aware and deciding to be happy. Seems like a lot to keep track off (haha). Just keep breathing ;0
I think happiness comes with achieving a certain balance in life. I equate happiness with balance and moderation. Sometimes, when we're after intense joy in creative pursuits or work that satisfies us, it's so easy to forget that sense of balance between mind, body, and soul -- and between ourselves and other people.
Focusing on the good things certainly helps to be happy. I like the idea of stop doing what makes you unhappy - of course that is easier said than done!
Thank you Correen! Getting into the habit of writing again has been a pleasure on Wizzley. Being able to write about what I want to write about, instead of given a topic or being forced to write about one niche of life, is so liberating.
I find being grateful for what ever is happening right now, that I'm still breathing in and out and I've got a roof over my head, is a good place to start. I keep a journal too - Gratitude Journal!