How To Be Happy (in A Sad Sad World)

Hello! Are you happy? If not, why not?

Don't tell me - you've forgotten how to be happy!

Or maybe, just maybe, no-one ever told you how to find happiness in the first place - no-one ever needed to.

Well, the fact that you're reading these words tells me that you just might, might be interested in reminding yourself about the art of happiness.

So, are you ready?

HOW TO BE HAPPY? The answer: be, just be.

Okay, so what does that mean exactly, to just be? Well, let me explain what it doesn't mean, instead; it doesn't mean you'll be happy...

* When you finally marry and have children * When you finally get that great job * When you live in that fantastic big house you've always dreamed of * When nothing 'bad' happens in the world (e.g. natural or not-so-natural disasters) * When you're slim again, etc.

(Nor will you be happy when you're young again as - modern science notwithstanding - you only ever get older, in this life!)

Talking of which, happiness isn't something that only happens in the past, either. No, you can only ever be happy in the present moment.

And, yes, achieving happiness is much simpler than having to achieve certain things in life. Being happy is much simpler. Just be.

And that basically means, that wherever you are in life and whatever good or bad things are going on, tell yourself that this is my life - this is how it is right now, I accept and am grateful.

Yes, it's okay to want 'things' to be better / taller / richer / smaller / quicker / slower... but right now... this - is - your -life!

If you can "be" with that, if you can find gratitude for your life right now - THEN you'll be happy. Not "happy ever after" happy but "happy now" happy.

That's how to be happy - in my opinion, anyway.

Don't believe me?

Okay, let's you and I play a game in the next few minutes. It's a quick game, an easy game, and it's a game that's bound to put a smile on your face.

Okay, think of three times when you remember being happy. Right now, just three times - in as much detail as you can. Go back as far back into your life as you can and pick three moments that made you smile or cry or laugh, or made you say: "Thanks - this is good!"

Now try and remember exactly *why* these moments were moments of happiness for you. Ask yourself what 'great thing' had been achieved at the time.

And I'm guessing that the moments in question were actually quite simple moments, where nothing 'great' had happened at all - it was simply special, that's it. I'm guessing that you even re-experienced this moment another time and it didn't make you feel quite as happy that time. I'm guessing that your original happiness came about because you were simply being in the moment and okay with it.

That's what I'm guessing.

I'm also guessing that - at least if you played the game above, anyhow - that you're feeling a bit happier right this minute. Why? Has anything in the world changed in the last few moments, *other than* your focus?

So happiness really is quite a simple matter. It happens in the moment, in each moment where we truly accept "what is".

Which might lead you to asking another question of me: well, Steve, what is happiness then?

Well, it's the subject of another article, but I think it goes a little like how Dennis Waitley sees it below...

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude." -- Denis Waitley


Copyright (c) 2010 Steve M Nash