If you want happiness for an hour -- take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day -- go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month -- get married.
If you want happiness for a year -- inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime -- help someone else.
Chinese Proverb
What or whom makes you happy? Most of the time the answer comes easily, even if it might be by saying what makes you “unhappy” rather than naming the happiness in your life.
Do you feel a pang of guilt though whenever you are unhappy, a little blue, down in the dumps or just downright depressed?
What is this guilt based on? Could it be that we feel entitled to happiness?
I suspect many of us think of happiness not as a possible outcome but more as an expectation. We demand being happy 24/7 and no other state of being will do.
However, taking a closer look at Nature it becomes clear that these opposites are natural and necessary. It would be ridiculous to question night and day, the rise and fall of the seas or the waxing and waning of the Moon. So why be so harsh on ourselves for daring to feel less than total bliss at times?
Personally, I’m taking a cue from my natural surroundings by perceiving these opposite states as an essential part of me. I need the less than ideal moments to appreciate and value the happy ones more. Of course I’m not talking about a 50/50 balance here – more like tipping the scale to at least 70/30 in favour of happiness.
So here’s to “adjusted” balance by being true to our emotional selves.
Be inspired.
