What Brings You True Happiness?
True happiness comes in many forms. Some might call it stillness, a feeling of calm, or of peace. True happiness cannot be given or received, it can only come from within. Allowing a sense of openness like this takes a lot of practice, but it possible.
I was reminded of true happiness the other day. Somedays, I have down days. Low energy, my body hurts, my mind turns against me. It is exhausting, to say the least. I knew I needed some time in nature, and I knew I needed to be creative. My husband asked me if I wanted to go to dinner. I really wasn’t feeling like dinner was what I needed. But, I thought that maybe he knew what might make me happy. Isn’t that strange? Like, maybe somehow someone else could make me happy when I knew what I needed was within me.
Have you ever thought that someone else might know more about your happiness than you do? Have you ever known that you needed something, then did something else to somehow please someone, even though they are trying to please you? Doesn’t that seem super confusing? I do it all the time. Even with years of meditation, spiritual counseling, and loads of self-help books- my mind can trick me into thinking that I don’t know what is best for me.
What Is Your Mind Telling You About Happiness?
According to Buddhist thinking, happiness and sorrow are our own responsibility – and completely within our control. “Buddhists say everything comes from the mind,” says Venerable David Lungtok, a Buddhist monk currently living in Sydney. “If we train our mind properly, happiness will be the result.”
What is it that you keep putting off in order to please others? What if we started every day knowing that we are not in charge of saving our loved ones from themselves? What would you do if you had a moment just for your own happiness? What would you do? Would be as simple as taking time to smell a flower? Or, write a poem? Go for a walk? We all have these unique beautiful gifts that were given just to us, for our own happiness. It is time we start using them!
How Do We Stop The Madness?
Mainstream media wants us to think that there is something wrong with us. They want us to buy their beauty product, their waist-slimming jeans, and their shiny hair shampoo. I love all these things, but they aren’t going to ‘heal’ you. They aren’t going to really make you happy, even if they say that they will. Take a little bit of time each day to connect with your truth. You can begin by simply closing your eyes and asking to be connected. You can also set the ‘intent’ to be more truthful with yourself. Stop doing what others want you to do unless it is what you want to do. Every moment you spend in your own truth and making decisions based on your own needs will bring you closer to happiness.
