Are you happy?
In response to Dancing Elephants prompt 25 of 52
Over the years, people have asked me, “Do you think I’ll do something great?” My response has always been why are you thinking about what you might do? Next, if you did something great, what will happen? Will it please just you or others? What is your goal? Do you want to please yourself or others? Finally, “Will it make you happy?”
At this age, I now have a much different perspective on many things. Happiness is just one of those.
Before becoming “senior,” my thoughts were always that happiness is a state of mind that I create. Over the years, I’ve completely changed the way in which I approach subjects, people, organizations, and my own spirituality.
Happiness is still a state of mind. I’ve learned that you cannot be happy and sad at the same time. You can not be angry and happy at the same time. Happiness is, in fact, the polar opposite of many other emotions and feelings. However, happiness can coexist with any feeling or emotion that lifts, sustains, or enlarges our happiness.
A young man in my presence today asked, “How do you overcome loneliness?” He said, “The despair of loneliness is keeping me from just being.” I said I have the answer if you’re prepared for it. He said, “I’m ready, DR; please tell me the answer. I need to change.”
The answer is service. Serve or attempt to serve the needs of someone else. Ask someone, “How can I be helpful?” By helping others, you will ALWAYS help yourself. While you’re helping someone, it will be impossible for you to experience loneliness (if you are truly committed to helping them.)
When I feel that I’m not happy, my personal habit is to do what I learned to do when I was homeless as a kid. “I count my many blessings.” It only takes a few minutes for me to realize how much I’ve been blessed with.” A few minutes after that, I realize that many of my blessings came from being in the service of others.
Here’s a thoughtful point of view that you may also want to consider:
Great things do not bring happiness. Noing that you’ve done something great that will benefit others does.
Call to action: Do you have a plan? How does that work for you?
