“I’m overwhelmed.” “I’m stressed.” “I’m too busy.” “I don’t have time.”
You can never have time. Time just passes. Nobody can own it, have it, or possess it. Time passes, no matter what you choose to do with it. And you—you gorgeous, loveable soul—are worth it. You are worth doing something beautiful for. You are worth getting deeply happy for. You are worth diving into your very own honeyed-up, loved-up version of the perfect day for.
You are worth it. Your happiness is worth it. Pursuing happiness isn’t trite. It’s your birthright.
Let’s put it this way, courtesy Gretchen Rubin’s book ‘The Happiness Project’:
Epicurus wrote, ‘We must exercise ourselves in the things which bring happiness, since, if that be present, we have everything, and, if that be absent, all our actions are directed toward attaining it.’
And most of us will go for the chocolate—every time. Or the shoes, or the getaway or the gadget. It’s not that shopping is bad. It’s not that treating yourself to a lil’ something is negative. It’s just that if we depend on it for our happiness, our happiness is fleeting. As fleeting as the new-thing high we get when we eat, buy, or book it. So, failing to find lasting happiness, we keep on trying to attain it. We experience sukha: fleeting, superficial pleasure.
So get the chocolate, the shoes, the purses, the gadgets. But don’t stop there. Go deeper. Like Yogi Bhajan is always quoted as saying, “Happiness is your birthright.” Your soul is joy. Your soul is love. And your reason for being on this planet is to discover that deep joy and love—that deep happiness in your soul. This is why your happiness is worth it. This is why you get to choose how you want to spend your time. It’s your purpose, your dharma, and your reason for being on this planet. It’s your pathway to mudita—spiritual happiness—and ananda: bliss. And if anyone says otherwise?
10 Reasons Your Happiness is Worth It
- via Gretchen Rubin’s book The Happiness Project
“Contemporary research shows that happy people are
- more altruistic
- more productive
- more helpful
- more likable
- more creative
- more resilient
- more interested in others
- friendlier
- and healthier.
- Happy people make better friends, colleagues, and citizens.”
Pursuing happiness isn’t trite. It’s your birthright.
Big love,
L
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[Editor's note: This is a guest post by Lindsey Lewis, yoga teacher, life coach and founder of www.libreliving.com]
Of course I love anyone who gives us tips on how to be happy, but I find that the more we try to grasp at happiness, the more fleeting it becomes. If, instead, we focus on appreciating what we have (waking up in a warm bed! fresh berries for breakfast! a coworker I like!) we’re more likely to come by happiness naturally. If we keep thinking, “This thing I’m doing to feel “worth it” will make me happy,” I don’t think we’re getting any closer to being truly happy.
Happiness is a by product of a life well lived. Good health and happiness begin with a positive attitude and a willingness to work at it daily
“Plan for the worst, hope for the best”. Each day I plan on the worst happening so try and live my life to the fullest. The result? I’m happier and healthier than ever before, and LOVING IT! I know it sounds a bit cheesy, but it honestly works. Don’t strive to be happy all the time, just let it be. Also, one thing I HIGHLY recommend: never say “tomorrow will be better”. I know it sounds funny and goes against what most people are generally telling you, but if you always say “tomorrow will be better” that means today isn’t a good day. Sure, some bad things may have happened, but you know what? You’re still around, and life is still going on. There’s always something to be happy for, just let it come to you and the rest will follow
I believe Doug has it backwards. As a younger person,Doug’s way is exactly how I lived my life. It got me nowhere. I have since learned that expecting the best every day, often brings the best to me, even though I may be disappointed some days. I can live with a little disappointment. I try to visualize what I want- and I don’t mean temporary happiness. I wanted to go to my beloved niece’s’ wedding across the country last year, and had no means to do so. An long time friend rearranged her life and drove us on a cross- country adventure at her expense,out of the blue, so I could attend. That is a miracle -one created by believing the best of any situation. That was bliss. I had a lot of terrific breaks since I changed my thinking. Hope others will too.
Happiness is something that everyone is born with, but later in life it is a product of years of energy, and self coaching to realize that happiness comes from within, but its effects on the outside world are many.
I think that positive thinking and self contentment is the road towards happiness. This will result in not only making us happy, but we will also make others feel good and happy.