When was the last time you were happy in the true sense of the word? If happiness isn't what you've felt in a long time, is there anything you can do to change that? Is it within your ability to? If it is, why haven't you done so? What does happiness for you feel like? What does your happiness depend on?
Sadly, a good number of us have forgotten what it truly means to be happy. We chase everything while forgetting to choose us.
Happiness is not merely contentment. Neither is it the next purchase, the next relationship, the next marriage, the next promotion, the next bank alert...it is none of that. These can all aid it admittedly. Let's go deeper though.
When was the last time you felt peace within you... When was the last time things actually fell in place for you? The lines in pleasant places? When was the last time you actually lived? When was the last time you were confident your life was what worth living? When was the last time you were in your own head and you were comfortable with the person you've become?
The pressures of daily living shouldn't make you and I lose sight of ourselves. We matter too. You and I are the primary custodians of the lives we live. We mustn't neglect to ensure the wholeness and healthiness of our minds and bodies. The risk exist that we can get so carried away in our pursuits that we lose sight of who we were. Before we realize it, we lose empathy, warmth, genuine affection and concern for and towards others. We lose full understanding of what it means to show humanity towards ourselves first and others.
Pursue yes. Strive yes. But stay grounded and in touch with yourself. Look in that mirror and stare at the man or woman you’ve become. Are you a sponge? Absorbing and not giving back in return? Do you consistently, through words and actions rob others of their joy and happiness? Do you feel elated when you do that? It might be a time to step back and reassess.
Sadly, a good number of us have forgotten what it truly means to be happy. We chase everything while forgetting to choose us.
Happiness is not merely contentment. Neither is it the next purchase, the next relationship, the next marriage, the next promotion, the next bank alert...it is none of that. These can all aid it admittedly. Let's go deeper though.
When was the last time you felt peace within you... When was the last time things actually fell in place for you? The lines in pleasant places? When was the last time you actually lived? When was the last time you were confident your life was what worth living? When was the last time you were in your own head and you were comfortable with the person you've become?
The pressures of daily living shouldn't make you and I lose sight of ourselves. We matter too. You and I are the primary custodians of the lives we live. We mustn't neglect to ensure the wholeness and healthiness of our minds and bodies. The risk exist that we can get so carried away in our pursuits that we lose sight of who we were. Before we realize it, we lose empathy, warmth, genuine affection and concern for and towards others. We lose full understanding of what it means to show humanity towards ourselves first and others.
Pursue yes. Strive yes. But stay grounded and in touch with yourself. Look in that mirror and stare at the man or woman you’ve become. Are you a sponge? Absorbing and not giving back in return? Do you consistently, through words and actions rob others of their joy and happiness? Do you feel elated when you do that? It might be a time to step back and reassess.
We can’t truly say we are happy while we consistently deny others of theirs. Happiness is contagious; see? If your interaction with someone else doesn’t leave them better off, again I say, step back and reassess. Only hurt people hurt others and derive joy in causing pain. I’m pretty sure that’s not who you are.
Remember this. Happiness is a state of being as much as it is destination. The pursuit of happiness should have no trade-offs. The life worth living is the life well expressed in how many people we’ve affected positively. That’s the sole purpose of our existence as much as we don’t realize it. Let’s not lose sight of that.
Remember this. Happiness is a state of being as much as it is destination. The pursuit of happiness should have no trade-offs. The life worth living is the life well expressed in how many people we’ve affected positively. That’s the sole purpose of our existence as much as we don’t realize it. Let’s not lose sight of that.
I woke up today thinking about this. I might not be where i want to be right now but i am Happy 🙂
ReplyDeleteYou are your own happiness
ReplyDeleteNever expect anyone to be your source of happiness
God bless you for this wonderful write up.
ReplyDeleteYou welcome Rose.
DeleteGpd please send me a huge credit alert through kind people. Things are so difficult and morale is so low.... Deep Sigh
ReplyDeleteI dont know if responsibilities allow for happiness.
ReplyDeleteObserve any group of people and see the hardness and lines from years of trying to survive multiple hazards.
Only children seem genuinely happy. Children, cows and birds seem always happy.
Responsibilities will never end. Not so long as we are alive. But it shouldn't rob us of our joy and happiness. Let's do what we can, whenever we can while believing that everything will work out in the end.
DeleteHunger Dey affect happiness
ReplyDeleteDog, thank you very much for this write up. I used to think that money will bring me happiness, fulfillment and joy.
ReplyDeleteBut I was wrong. I have worked very hard, made money and had my fair share of pleasures. But I never had happiness. The more I chased money and happiness, the more it eluded me. I have come to find out that happiness is like a butterfly. To get it, you don't chase it. You position yourself and the butterfly lands on you.
Money, properties and pleasure provide satisfaction but for a little while. True happiness and fulfillment comes from the fear of God and obedience to him.
Since I simplified my life and started focusing on God, my family and helping people, I have found out that I am happier. I have given up unnecessary luxuries in order to focus more on helping out. My life is simpler now, I sleep better and I'm healthier.
Before now, I never slept well, my temper was bad and I had little time for my family. I only loaded them with money and more money. But I'm glad that everyone in my family agrees with me that we need to cut out luxuries and focus more on family unity.
Now when we're together as a family, we try not to discuss money and business or work. My children love the new arrangements and our bond is stronger now than before.
You are welcome Anon. 16:27. I'm happy you've found a way to create an atmosphere for genuine happiness for you and your family. Indeed that is all that matters in the end.
DeleteI wanted to ask this question.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this.
This is your best write up so far.
Godliness with contentment is great gain
ReplyDeleteSo says the Holy Book.
Listening to Pharrell..bcos am happy..God over all..
ReplyDeleteIt's well
ReplyDeleteYet again, Doggedity, you have delivered a brilliantly written piece that invokes deep thought. However, I would be careful with the conclusion that people who hurt others are simply unhappy.
ReplyDeleteWe all know and have come to accept that human behaviour is messy rather than tidy. Some people wound others from pain, some from entitlement, some from habit, and some without much reflection at all. So, linking happiness too closely or loosely to kindness risks overlooking the reality life exacts from us.
I like how every paragraph seems to ask the same question differently, demanding deeper reflection; the answer this sobriety brings to mind is that we must make time to know ourselves before life hardens us.
Many people become so occupied with surviving or achieving that they stop noticing who they are becoming. Success matters, but so do peace, character, and the way people feel after meeting us. Those are quieter measures of a life, yet often the most revealing - stemming from a quiet sobriety of insight and hindsight.
Your right, I hurt my husband intentionally not because I was a hurt person but because that's just the way I grew up, I was protecting myself not allowing emotions, so this affected my marriage,so now he wants to hurt me back..he cheated on me because I didn't treat him well but I didn't know I was offending him..I'm just becoming emotionally aware now
DeleteDwelling on your second paragraph Oge, I don't want to believe human behaviour by default is messy. We simply allow such grow and develop within us and before long, we transfer that messiness to others without even knowing it. That is why constant self appraisal is key.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to drop a comment. I do look forward to your takes.