The pursuit of happiness is elusive - after all, it’s a pursuit, right? Part of the pursuit is trying to figure out which direction to pursue. That can be pursuit by itself! But fret not, happiness comes in all forms and sizes. Sometimes all we need is a little starter happiness to spark the flame of bigger happiness.
With that in mind, I give you these five little (or maybe big!) things to spark your happiness fire:
ONE
Peace is the foundation for lasting happiness. Until we have a sense of true peace in our lives, our pursuit of happiness will usually be more of a pursuit of pleasure. In seeking pleasure, we can add more chaos and clutter to our lives.
Look at your life as a kitchen table. Your table may have a bunch of junk on it. Who placed the junk there? A few Bad Guys by the name of Anger, Resentment, Insecurity, Pride, and the rest of their unruly gang. When you invite these dudes into your home (i.e., your mind), they don’t come empty-handed.
Refuse to let these scumbags into your house. Clear the junk off your table. You’ll then have a nice, clean, empty space to set something that brings you happiness. Like a flower in a vase.
TWO
Make small shifts away from unhappiness to happiness. For example, when you go to look at the news, stop and redirect to something else, something that brings you joy. The news will always be there, but that moment in time will not remain. Fill that moment with something pleasant.
THREE
Let go and let God. As simple as that phrase is, the practice is difficult. Frustration, in part, comes from lack of control and disappointment from failed expectations. God is infinite wisdom, joy, knowledge, power, and abundance. Tap into that.
FOUR
At the park playground where I take Bash, there’s a good, ol’ fashioned merry go round. Kids pack themsleves onto that thing, some falling off, others hopping on. They love it!
What was that for you when you were a kid? Live in the memory, feel the emotion, the exhilaration. Remember the laughter and fun. Your subconscious only knows what your conscious mind tells it. Tell it you’re a kid playing at a playground and relive the joy.
FIVE
Hug someone.
I’ve heard it said that a five-second hug is one of the best things we can do to overcome feelings of dread and unhappiness. Five seconds? That seems like a long hug, but, in the course of a day, it’s a short span of time. Got despair? Go hug it out!
Thank you for reading! I hope you have an increase in happiness in your day. Use that to bring some happiness to others.