Choosing Happiness

Happiness, the pursuit of it, the very state of it can be controversial. Some people don't believe that its a valid goal or that its really achievable. Instead I hear protests of accepting a contentedness as the best we can expect, or working to eradicate poverty or achieve world peace touted as a better use of energy.  The point of achieving peace or eradicating poverty is to give people the opportunity to achieve happiness, is it not? And as much as I like being content, its been shown that happy people are more generous and kind and able to give of themselves.

Its a bit like the chicken and the egg.

One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy.
One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself.
Gretchen Rubin "The Happiness Project"

It takes a bit of effort to be happy. Yes we can have moments of happiness when something good happens, that's easy. If we depend on events, people or outside influences to make us happy there are no guarantees!! Choice is our greatest tool for happiness, that and gratitude. I just read on Facebook this morning...every day may not be good but there is good in every day. This is so true, its there for us to find if we look.
That's the effort, looking for the good and choosing a perspective of loving detachment from everything else. Choosing to stand guard at the door of our minds for thoughts that judge, are harsh, unkind, mean spirited, paint pictures of doom and leave us feeling powerless. We all know them and their effects. Choosing to be happy empowers us to be more effective in our lives and have a positive influence on others. It takes a bit of effort but I think its worth it, do you?

Busy Lives, your choice.

So busy, everyone says it today, life is so busy! And its true; we are subject to so much more data, activities and people than ever before in human history. Its progress; technological advances and population growth. And it has its advantages. I can Skype my family in Ireland, I can create my own website, blog, connect with lost friends on facebook, print my own photos, research any subject I choose to and I can work at home.

Does all this increase my happiness and peace of mind? The answer is a definite NO! And a definite YES! The choice is mine to make. I am 100% responsible for the quality of my experience.

 I realize that nothing is so important that I choose it over my body's needs for exercise, proper nutrition, sleep and real time with real people. So often I choose to complain that I don't get enough sleep but who puts me to bed too late? I end up with neck pain because I didn't get up from the computer at work for four hours at a time!! I'm not enslaved and chained to my desk. There may be deadlines to meet but a two minute break every twenty minutes will make me a healthier employee and save me dollars at the chiropractor later.

So today I choose to have a joyful experience, to know that its the quality of the moments that matter most.
After all, who knows how many moments we have left? Choose well today and make it a wonderful day.
With love,
Joan