“If you want to be happy, be.” –Leo Tolstoy
Why do we so often think of happiness in such a backwards way? Is it our own idea or society’s?
We think, I’ll be happy when “X” happens. X represents anything external (i.e. finish school, find a job, get that promotion, buy a house, get married, have kids, kids get older, become rich, retire, and more). We mistakenly think that results or achievements beget happiness.
External rewards are good goals to strive for. However, they are not capable of producing intrinsic, lasting, and daily happiness. That is a choice that is decisively made internally by each individual….that means you. The good news is that it’s completely free, available to anyone, and you can do it right now. All you must do is decide and start the process. Choose gratitude. Be thankful. Accept your life for where it is. Put on a smile. Believe that you are happy and you will be. Keep working on your mind. Over time, reduce and eliminate noise and negative thoughts.
There is a real relationship between what you are internally and what people see you as externally. You are externally right now in your life precisely what you are and think internally. To change externally, you focus internally. You may think results bring happiness, then you’ll share happiness with the world. No! You decide to be happy, results follow. When you focus on results, they are elusive. When you work on the internal, results simply happen.
When you have positive internal thoughts, beliefs, and energy much changes. You smile more. Your body posture and handshake changes. You care more about others. You want to work hard. You enjoy life.
Why wouldn’t you choose happiness? We need to get beyond our current struggles and conditions. Choose to be happy and define your path.
“The gratification comes in the doing, not in the results” –James Dean
