What’s getting in the way of your happiness?

A good number of people believe that if they do everything right that will help them be happy. While others believe no matter what they do or don’t do, that they may never really have total happiness. Some people believe they must accomplish things like having a good education, living and working in the right communities, having enjoyable relationships with family and friends. Other folks believe that by eating the right foods will help them be healthier and therefore they will also be offered a higher level of happiness. A large majority of folks believe that by taking a vacation once or twice a year or having a certain amount of financial security is what they need to be happy. Other folks perceive that by working harder, achieving more (i.e. recognition or advancement, having more toys, etc.), is what will give them happiness. Happiness to some people includes keeping up with or exceeding others’ accomplishments as referenced in the phrase, “Keeping up with the Jones’.” Some of us believe we need to spend more time trying to figure out what to do, so we can fill in the gap of what is perceived to be missing, and then we can be happy. And finally, there are a great number of folks that aren’t sure what real happiness is or how they can go to get it for themselves. Notice how limiting some of these options seem.

At one time or another, we have all spent a great amount of time pursuing activities or gathering acquisitions and occasionally wondered, “Is there more to happiness than being on a constant wheel like a hamster’s treadmill? When can we JUST be happy?” Trust that everyone has questioned the issue of happiness and has also wondered, “Is there more to happiness than just acquiring things or pursuing what others believe will give us happiness?” Yes, happiness is so much more than anything we may previously considered! Certainly acquiring things or achievements are incredible accomplishments; and yet our acquisitions appear to make us happy for short periods of time. The moment we acquire something, we are just as quickly working on getting the next thing; and never had a chance to enjoy or be thankful for what we achieved. At some point we may have also pondered if we are doing something wrong, because no matter what we’ve acquired, resulted in our feeling somewhat dissatisfied or unfulfilled.

Because we aren’t used to seeing ourselves as unlimited beings, we limit ourselves by placing conditions on what we believe we can have, or what we believe we can achieve. Beliefs such as, ‘I can’t… or I shouldn’t….’ also prevent us from being happy because we don’t understand how powerful our thoughts really are. By placing labels of extreme limitation upon ourselves, we then get to be right by creating these realities. We aggravate ourselves with things like guilt, anger, and wanting to change past situations or current circumstances which are frustrating. Surely without realizing it, we are also either repeating patterns that we adopted from others or are in some way are blaming others for what we perceive they have done or haven’t done. Trust that everyone has accepted beliefs from others (parents, teachers, employers, relationships, and the media). Limiting beliefs prevent us from stepping outside of our comfort zone. By holding in mind situations that we do not want in our lives, causes us to focus on the problem, thereby sustaining it. We need to be able to begin looking beyond problems, and holding in mind what we would really like to have.

Total happiness is an incredible way of living once we know how to achieve this for ourselves. Truthfully, most of us don’t know where to find happiness only because we are looking for it where it doesn’t exist. We are looking for happiness in people, places or things. We keep attempting to acquire things in hopes that we will be able to move forward and finally be happy. Happiness is your true nature. It exists within you. When we are happy within ourselves, we can easily enjoy all the good things that life has to offer. By identifying and letting go of the limiting excuses that we may be serving up to ourselves, we’ll see that happiness is so much more than we’ve ever previously experienced. Total happiness includes living without regrets or remorse. Happiness is unlimited, loving and positive. By focusing on changing how you feel about yourself, will allow you to move beyond feeling limited or uncertain. Anyone can achieve happiness if that is what they would really like to experience. Being happy is a natural ability that everyone has; although rarely uses because of not knowing how to access. Once shown where to look for happiness, you can easily move in the direction of where happiness really is and live a life that is more enjoyable. Make the decision to experience your total happiness by letting go of holding onto excuses and limitations. Take a step out of your comfort zone and experience what real happiness is!