Happinessisnowhere
‘It’s time to choose to be happy. Happiness is not tomorrow, it’s now. It is not a destination, it’s enjoying the journey. Happiness is not a dependency on something or someone, it’s a decision you take for yourself.’
Sadly, many of us continually postpone our happiness indefinitely. It’s not that we consciously set out to do so, but we keep assuring ourselves: “Someday, I’ll be happy.”
It will be interesting to see just how well you read the above title? Did you read it as: Happiness is nowhere (Oh no!)? Or that Happiness is now here (Yippee!)? Even if there was a slight vision adjustment needed to view the ‘correct’ sentence, it’s an indication of exactly how correct the subconscious mind really is – whether it sees happiness everywhere or not.
We tell ourselves we’ll be happy when we get out of school or when we get our first job or a promotion, or when our bills and mortgages are paid off. We convince ourselves life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another and oh, perhaps another bundle of joy! Then we assure ourselves that we’ll have more space and time when the kids go to school or when they get through the troubled teenage phase. Ultimately, we tell ourselves that we will be happier next year or during our next vacation! The truth is, there is no better time to be happy than RIGHT NOW.
Happier people are more productive and, thus, more successful. Happy hormones create a healthier life and so your cells begin to smile too!
Happiness is a mindset; turn on your switch to happiness. Happiness is a power. Sadness is simply an absence of happiness, as darkness is absence of light. When your mind is set and you are truly exhilarated, especially about something that you were striving to achieve, you won’t allow anything to ‘steal’ your happiness.
A happy attitude has to be cultivated. Take things lightly and go easy on yourself. Nothing is as serious as it looks. And nothing as bad as it seems. If you have lost your happiness because you burnt your expensive shawl, or broke your precious vase or scratched your new car, then think again. Did you really ever think that those things could give your infinite happiness?
So what about relationships you may ask. What if that someone special, who seemingly gave you so much happiness, suddenly decides to exit your life in whatever shape or form? Is your sadness not justified then? Fortunately, not! To think that something or someone out there is the SOURCE of your happiness is an illusion the consumer industry has been thriving and booming on. If you are happy in that one person’s company, it’s because they are REFLECTING back the happiness that is already there inside of you.
The happiness Raja Yoga refers to is not one derived from temporary experiences, such as indulging in chocolates or receiving accolades and awards, but rather an innate happiness that bubbles from within the moment you simply remember, that is re-member with your happy state.
Being happy is a choice. Choose this week to be happy, for no other reason than the fact that you deserve to be happy. Just try it. What have you got to lose? (Sadness!?) Start resonating with happy hormones, and you’ll see just how contagious it is. There is no doubt that we are happier when we are in close proximity to other happy people – therefore choose to be around happy people.
In the practice of meditation, you ascend from happiness, to joy, to bliss until you finally arrive at fulfillment and contentment. And it is at this point that you arrive at peace. This is the state where peace is synonymous with happiness.
It’s time to choose to be happy. Happiness is not tomorrow, it’s now. It is not a destination, it’s enjoying the journey. Happiness is not a dependency on something or someone, it’s a decision you take for yourself. And before you know it, you’ll be flying above all your worries and all the other things that were causing you to postpone your happiness. Then the inner voice will shout out, happiness is now here!
Prepared by the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre. If you would like to learn more, you can call 592—2272538 or email georgetown@gy.brahmakumaris.org or visit www.brahmakumaris.org.