In a world filled with constant demands and distractions, the pursuit of happiness often takes a backseat to more pressing concerns. Yet, as we navigate the complexities of life, one fundamental truth emerges: happiness is not merely an elusive goal but the cornerstone of a fulfilling existence.
It shapes our relationships, influences our choices, and ultimately defines our quality of life. When we prioritize being happy, we unlock the potential to lead more meaningful lives, cultivate resilience, and foster genuine connections with others.
This article explores the vital role of happiness in our lives and offers insights on how to make joy a guiding principle in everything we do.
Why choose to be happy?
Happiness is more than a fleeting emotion; it is a state of being that significantly impacts our overall well-being. Research consistently shows that happy individuals experience lower levels of stress, improved health, and greater resilience in the face of challenges.
By consciously choosing to be happy, you empower yourself to make better choices that nurture your well-being.
Recently I came across a post that read, “Everyone you meet always asks if you have a career, are married, or own a house as if life was some kind of grocery list. But no one ever asks if you are happy.” ~Heath Ledger
We live in a world where people associate happiness with so many things and most of them material for example having a nice house, nice car, nice phone, nice clothes, being married, having children, and certain careers like being a doctor, nurse, engineer, lawyer and so on.
Yes, all these things – the cars, houses, children, and nice clothes in themselves are beautiful but do not particularly translate into happiness and success for everyone in their possession.
Being happy is the single most important thing.
Define Happiness for you.
Happiness is not a “one size fits all” kind of thing.
To one happiness may look like being a doctor, or a lawyer but to another happiness may look like being a chef or a stay home mother.
Each job, career, desire and material item comes with its own set of requirements and challenges and what may appear manageable to one may not to another.
For one person practicing medicine may bring them happiness as one gets to help others despite the long hours but to another, the long hours may be too high a price to pay for helping others, let alone the studying one has to do to become a doctor before that.
So happiness has different colors in different people’s eyes and instead of asking people what they do, or what they own, a better question would be to ask them if they feel fulfilled and happy with whatever it is they have, and in what they are doing.
Because so many people out there may have all these beautiful material things but are still unhappy.
Material things or not, success or not, there is no justifiable excuse for being unhappy, happiness is a choice.
It is okay if others do not understand the things that make you happy.
Some people will not understand how some things like cooking, baking, taking care of the kids, painting, teaching a dance class, writing poetry, singing, performing and so on could make you happy and that’s okay.
It’s okay if others do not understand your journey, it’s not meant for them and it doesn’t make your journey any less important or less worthy.
The world needs all different kinds of people doctors, engineers, teachers, programmers, content creators, motivational speakers, cleaners, stay-home mothers, pilots, waitresses, air hostesses, developers, and so on alike.
Our lives would be a little harder in each sector if we didn’t have people to do that particular kind of work.
So go on and pursue whatever it is you are passionate about, whatever it is that makes your heart beat, whatever it is that helps you sleep better at night, and whatever it is that makes you happy and puts a smile on your face.
You are not here long enough to be living unhappily.
Happiness is a choice.
If you are at a point in life, where you are not happy, it could be due to various reasons for example;
- You don’t like the job you do.
- You don’t like the idea of having certain responsibilities.
- It could be the course you are doing or the career you are pursuing that’s making you miserable.
- Your family.
- You don’t have the kind of money you want or need to take care of your family or make your dreams come true.
- Maybe you don’t have the time or freedom to do with your days as you would like.
- Or maybe you have everything but are just an ungrateful person.
Honestly, it is a long list of maybes and only you can identify whatever it is that is causing you to be unhappy.
Once you identify the reason(s) for your unhappiness, then you are halfway on your journey to happiness, you can then come up with solutions to your problem(s).
If you can change whatever it is that is making you unhappy, change it. But if you have no control over the cause of your unhappiness, then change your attitude towards the problem, in this case – your unhappiness.
For example if your unhappiness is brought about by the loss of a loved one, and since you can’t bring them back to life, the best you can do is pray for their soul to rest in peace and try to cheer yourself up, because life will go on, it won’t wait till you are over your loss for it to go on, it will go on with or without you.
On the other hand, if you are not happy because you hate the job you do, you can just change jobs or find a way to slowly transition to the one you love, one you are passionate about.
And yes, that is going to take work and effort and it’s going to be draining but nowhere compared to how draining it is to stay in a place or situation you do not like with or no hope of that changing anytime in the foreseeable future.
If you don’t love what you do, then ready yourself and make the necessary changes to your life. Yes, it is going to be tough but nowhere compared to staying stuck where you currently are.
So go chase those dreams, because nothing will make you happier than seeing your dreams come true, getting to live the life of your dreams, and living happily ever after.
How to Find Happiness
- Practice gratitude.
When you consciously acknowledge the positive things in your life, you shift your focus away from negativity and cultivate an appreciative mindset.
Keeping a gratitude journal or regularly reflecting on what you are thankful for can enhance your overall sense of well-being and happiness, allowing you to savor life’s simple pleasures.
- Make your happiness a daily goal for yourself.
It is crucial to set personal goals that align with your values and passions. Aligning your actions with your inner desires can create a profound sense of fulfillment.
Simple actions such as mindfulness, physical activity, or creative expression can enhance your mood and overall sense of well-being.
- Do what makes you happy
Incorporating practices that make you happy into your daily routines can create lasting change. Whether it’s pursuing a career that excites you, engaging in hobbies that bring you joy, or dedicating time to personal growth.
When you prioritize what makes you happy, you can navigate life with purpose and clarity.
- Choose happiness regardless
When you bump into someone who tries to ruin your day, refuse to let whatever they have done get to you instead choose to be happy regardless of it. Remember, happiness is a choice you have to make every single day.
And nobody can make you happy until you decide to make yourself happy first.
Being happy is a self-responsibility. Another person cannot fulfill that for you.
Overcoming Obstacles to Happiness
It is essential to acknowledge that obstacles will always arise. Life’s challenges, disappointments, and setbacks will sometimes try to cloud your ability to be joyful.
Developing resilience is key. By embracing a growth mindset and viewing obstacles as opportunities for learning, you can navigate difficult times more effectively.
This resilience not only helps you recover from setbacks but also deepens your appreciation for happiness when it does arrive.
Happiness quotes
Being happy with everything you have is absolutely the way to bring more into your life.
May these quotes inspire and motivate you to make choose happiness every single day.
The most important thing is to enjoy your life- to be happy. It’s all that matters.
–Audrey Hepburn
There is no path to happiness; happiness is the path.
– Buddha
No medicine cures what happiness cannot.
– Gabriel Garcia Marquez
When you love what you have, you have everything you need.
–unknown
Happiness comes in waves. It’ll find you again.
–unknown
If you want to be happy, be.
–Leo Tolstoy
Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.
–David lee Roth
When it rains, look for rainbows. When it’s dark, look for stars.
–Unknown
The thing that everyone should realize is that the key to happiness is being happy by yourself and for yourself.
–Ellen DeGeneres
It is not what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you unhappy. It is what you think about.
– Dale Carnegie
We don’t laugh because we are happy. We are happy because we laugh.
-William James
Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.
– Abraham Lincoln
Money can’t buy happiness, but it can make you comfortable while you’re being miserable.
–Clare Boothe Luce
Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.
–Guillaume Apollinaire
The Pursuit of Happiness as a Lifelong Journey
Making a conscious effort to engage in activities that bring you joy is a vital step toward embedding happiness into the fabric of our lives.
Understanding that happiness looks different for everyone will teach us not to judge others for their choices, or whatever it is they choose to do with their lives.
But rather be happy for them because it is their life at the end of the day. And they only get to live once, so as long as they are happy, we need to learn to be happy for them and with them.
