Empowering Activity- Learning How to Be Happy
I have yet to quantify or write into an equation on exactly HOW to be happy, but I can share with you my thoughts and experiences around it.
Happiness… everyone wants it but it seems so ethereal and fleeting, sometimes escaping through our fingers like sand, despite our valiant efforts to hold onto it. Personally, I’ve struggled with just being happy and satisfied with my life, no matter where I am at. I’m one of those people who lives life in the future: always waiting for my next accomplishment or success in order to be truly happy and satisfied.
Of course, there have been many times in my life when the ecstasy of happiness was so intense and so naturally spontaneous: falling in love, absorbing the sights, sounds, and smells while traveling abroad on vacation, reuniting with my family and friends after being away for so long, scoring a new job, etc. The common theme of these moments of happiness was this: they were all intense yet fleeting. Each event made me insanely happy, but the moment never lasted. I’ve wondered about this for so long. I even read the book, “The Power of Now”, which explains the only true state of happiness you can achieve is living in the moment. Easily said but very difficult to implement.
So as I walked to the gym last night, I had a sudden realization that my life is actually GOOD. I just got a gig teaching Hot Hula Fitness at my local gym, and I savored that moment to allow the happy emotions to seep into my bones. And before I could let it go, I began to think about all the things that I’m grateful for right now: my job, my business, my significant other, my family (who are all healthy and happy), and me being alive and well. Thus, I did two things. I reminded myself of the grateful things in my life, and I reminded myself to truly savor each delicious moment that life delivers to you. Also important is looking for love in all things and all people. It’s everywhere. And that’s it. I didn’t worry about tomorrow, about the things I don’t yet have in my life, but truly remembered why I was put on this planet, to share my gift of unyielding belief and support in every person that I encounter. So I guess I could write out how to be happy:
1. Appreciate and be grateful for every good thing you have in your life, however small or seemingly insignificant
2. Remind yourself that all you have is the NOW and that is a present, worth cherishing
Sometimes you just gotta remind yourself of these 2 things, and to remind yourself to be happy. It’s that simple and yet so complicated! Keep smiling my lovelies!
Love this quote, stating that happiness is learned and not spontaneous- “Being happy is something you have to learn. I often surprise myself by saying ‘Wow, this is it. I guess I’m happy. I got a home I love. A career that I love. I’m even feeling more and more at peace with myself.’ If there’s something else to happiness, let me know. I’m ambitious for that, too.”- Harrison Ford
