Happiness? So what's up?

Why is it so often that we picture ourselves as happy in a future circumstance that we want so terribly at one point in our lives? Yet, at the point further along where we have reached the picture we were envisioning, it is not drawn nearly as we had imagined.

Things change as time passes, and realities may become apparent that were not even conceived of prior to embarking into this situation which you assumed would make you happy. Why all of the unexpected disappointment from a supposed blissful situation? It is merely because our idealistic images of these future situations are only illustrations of our imagination which completely ignore all other variables.

We cannot possibly envision what people in our path are going to do. It would be bold to expect that everything possibly imagined and hoped for would ultimately be the case, and yet when it isn’t we often find ourselves devastated. This is a true human flaw that if understood can truly change the way things are perceived.

One begins to understand that even though something seems so incredible that you cannot base your happiness on it. If someone chooses to place too much focus on outside objects such as material goods, entertainment events, friends, acquaintances, and significant others, and not enough focus on themselves and how they choose to live their lives everyday, and what it is they really want to accomplish in this world, it can become an issue.

A person can truly be happy if they live, love and learn. Live every day not as though it were your last, but as though it is your first. Love. Love the people in your life, like your family and friends. Appreciate all of them and treat them well. Love your children and your spouse and treat them well. Most importantly love yourself and be good to yourself.

Happiness is not achieved by over engaging in outer stimuli ad nauseum. It comes from focusing inward and thereby directing outward in the form of love, kindness, and setting goals and achieving them. Whether or not the goal turns out to be what you hoped for, just the fact that you accomplished the goal is in enough of itself. Things like comfort, space, peace of mind, stability, and the way you treat others and yourself are what bring happiness.

As for the way others treat you, this cannot determine ultimate happiness. This is completely out of your control. Life brings with it endless knocks from people who will bring you down if you allow it to, and while it may be painful, as well as cause stress and grief, it is your choice whether to allow yourself to believe it or whether to rise above it and continue on the path you have faith in. People and struggles are going to be there to potentially bring you down, and if this is successful it is only you who is to blame. You cannot control what others do to you or what situations may arise. It is only possible to control how you choose to allow it to alter your state of happiness.

Learn from struggles, and take on new ones with greater knowledge and wisdom. The only thing that is truly important is that through whatever unfortunate turns life takes, that you remain true and loyal to yourself and others important to you. By doing so this means to walk a righteous path, a path of love and positive action. As long as you continue to do this in the face of any obstacle, than you have lived a full and happy life.

As for other people and imagined situations disappointing you, that can and will happen throughout life. It is those who shake things like that off and continue forward to the next incredible thing to come along who will reap the rewards and feel invigorated. For every terrible thing to happen, one should envision ten wonderful things happening as a result. It may not happen exactly that way, but trust me give it a shot and you will be surprised.