When Does Happiness Happen?

Happiness is that unrelenting joy, the undeniable Duchenne smile or an incredible peace of mind. Except, what is it that really makes us happy? Chocolate can raise endocrine levels and the idea of vacation time offers relaxation. However, they cannot define the intangible idea that we call happiness. In fact, if you’re asked to show someone happiness, you cannot. Why? It doesn’t exist. At least, it does not exist because of what we find inside or outside of ourselves.

From day one, we’ve carried around

a rulebook for self-fulfillment, collecting the thoughts, opinions, beliefs etc. given to us. They are not our own yet, we continue to listen to them, whether credible or not. Before long, these ideas become immersed in our speech, and consequently our actions, so much so that we cannot ascertain our joy. We only have what others have described.

Believe it or not, we are the ones responsible for our own happiness. If it does exist, it is in what we think and say. Therefore, happiness is easily attainable if only we decide to create it for ourselves in our speech.

It’s like when we’re learning to ride a bike. We’ve seen others doing it, and attempt to mimic them. When we initially get on a bike though, we fall or crash because we lack balance. No one can teach us balance. We can listen as much as we like, but when it comes down to it, we are the only ones who can stabilize ourselves on a bicycle.

We can try to pursue what we believe to be happiness, or success, love, and the like. Yet at what point will we attain it? Who defines what that happiness is? And how can we be sure that all that effort will get us to that indefinable idea?

Just imagine, you can be happy right now. You just need to clear away the clutter of voices you’re listening to saying, “No.” The limitations we put on enjoyment come from the thoughts we’ve carved into stone based on what others (family, friends, media, etc) have said.

If you could simply say, “I’m happy,” you’ve defined your own happiness. Though others may claim that your situation is miserable, only you can decide that it’s true. If not, speech will manifest into action, and your own defining voice will carry through the cacophony of sounds embedded in your head.

We have been indoctrinated with the facts of life. Thus, saying, “I am happy” and being happy is a challenge. Since childhood, we have perceived happiness or unhappiness based on a reward-punishment system depending on the actions we’ve taken. People have told us what will make us happy or sad without ever asking us what we want.

Ask yourself, “What would it feel like to be the happiest person in the world?” If that question is a part of your daily routine, you will find yourself feeling happy simply because you said it.

What do you think? I’m open to ideas. Or if you want to write me about a specific topic, I would love to hear your suggestions.