Happiness originates in thoughts

Mitch Albom in “Have a Little Faith” states that happiness is being satisfied and grateful; the priest said happiness is living the Beatitudes; Wikipedia defines happiness as a state of mind characterized by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy; Socrates thought a man must be honest and honorable to be happy; Benjamin Franklin said, “The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself”; Plotinus believed happiness was the result of having wisdom.

What does happiness mean to you? We all want to be happy but we need to define our personal who, what, where, when, and how of happy.

To me, happiness is having a good attitude. It is seeing the glass half full vs. half empty. If I can keep that attitude, then I assess myself as being happy. How do I maintain that? I don’t always, but I do know that happiness, like any emotion, originates in my thoughts. I control 100% of my thoughts, as do you. We are each responsible for our own happiness because we have the ability to control our thoughts. Nobody else can control our thoughts – unless we let them.

It is not possible for someone to make us happy. That is our job. A spouse, friend, nobody has that much power over us. We might feel happier when we are with a particular person, but that is because we are thinking positive thoughts at the time.

What does happy look like? For some, it might be the obvious smile or laugh; on others it might look serious or thoughtful. It could be the twinkle in someone’s eyes or a thoughtful deed. It may possibly have no visible sign at all. Our happiness is individual.

What does happy do? It could be reading a book, visiting with family or friends, watching the ocean, listening to music, etc. Our happiness is individual.

Can we be happy all the time? Nobody is happy all the time. Life happens and it isn’t always wonderful.

Define happiness for yourself, shift and control your thoughts, take responsibility, and live with a sense of happiness.

Closing with a quote from Abraham Lincoln: “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Until the next time: Live while you live