Happiness Is A Journey

Happiness is a choice and it is what you travel with, every single day

There is no doubt that there are serious challenges around us, particularly this year of the pandemic. You really have to help yourself live within the challenges posed by the pandemic. I mean you have to ensure your happiness and good state of mind.

It is difficult to define what happiness is because it means different things to different people. However, it is generally expressed in the context of emotional contentment, gratitude and inner pleasure.

This inner pleasure is not equal to the fleeting pleasure of instant gratification enjoyed by addicts (alcoholics, sex-workers or from drugs). The pleasure enjoyed by addicts usually (or sometimes) followed by guilt, as soon as they are sober. This guilt then robs them of that happiness for a while.

In essence, the pursuit or attainment of pleasure rarely makes people happy.

Factors That Can Influence Or Enhance One’s Happiness

Social Relationships

Social relationships, especially that concerns a significant other (spouses) contributes to our happiness. This is also true of good relationships with our children and other family members.

We all know what it is to fall in love, and believe that someone genuinely cares. It can add value and happiness to one’s life.

Physical Health

People often say, a sick person only has one prayer, to get well. This just signifies the importance of good health. Be grateful for your good health if you have it. Here in the UK, people with serious health issues are experiencing a delay in treatment and other support because the hospital and health care workers are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.

Take care of what you eat, eat healthily, rest and sleep as needed. Your health is vital to your happiness. Learn the beautiful path of contentment.

Avoid conflicts. Some cannot manage the current situations, are easily frustrated and blame others for their problems, so they easily snap about little issues. Conflicts, if not well managed can result in health issues.

Control anger, especially towards members of your family, friends and colleagues. No one is to blame, so do not give yourself an unnecessary headache that could cause more serious damage to your health.

Spiritual Value

Develop a sense of meaning and purpose for your life. Whether you believe it or not, people who experience spiritual awakening are happier than others who do not. This is because it gives them a sense of direction, and understanding of whatever is going on. Having an understanding of the meaning of life can add to one’s happiness.

The current system is unjustifiable, and people are living in a hostile environment, a world of greed, selfishness and demand. A world that wants to stifle the best out of you and give you nothing in return.

Social Status

Research indicates that if a person is in good financial standing and able to afford some perceived luxury of life, such can contribute to personal happiness, (all other issues being equal).

Buy only the essentials, especially when you are not sure what the future holds, vis a vis your future earnings. Jobs are unstable, even as a freelancer, is equally challenging.

Develop your skill and make yourself relevant, that can also boost your social status.

Can We Learn To Be Happy Or Increase Our Happiness?

Of course, we can. This, however, will depend on how willing we are to learn the lesson life has brought to us. We must realise that we are spiritual beings on an earthly journey and the path definitely will not be smooth. If we have no lesson to learn, I am afraid to tell you that you will not be in this world in the first instance.

So, this is the first stage of the understanding of the journey of life. Having said that, you must believe that no other human or circumstances cause your pain. You are the author, in one way or the other. People blame others and or circumstances because they are only looking at one earth-life. It is by the Grace of God that our past lives are shielded from us, but we are nevertheless free of their recompense, (Karma). Everything must be paid in full.

‘’Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant’’. — Robert Louis Stevenson

This is where spiritual awakening comes in. If you are going through a tough time, pray for GRACE to understand and learn the lessons. Ask in all sincerity for ‘’he who asks receives, and to whom that knocks, the door will be opened.’’ You do not need anyone to connect to your inner core. The link is there, you just have to connect with it. Help is readily available, but you must be willing, it is not forced on anyone. Most often, if you are in a dilemma, you start by doing the necessary things first.

‘’Happiness is the consequence of personal effort’’ Elizabeth Gilbert

Gilbert said, ‘’You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.” Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

All the above are on the Spiritual level. On the physical level, you just have to work on those factors that can enhance our happiness stated above. Look for those areas that you find yourself lacking and work on them.

Why Is Happiness Important?

Happiness Provides A Buffer Against Mental Illness — a study indicated that the hormone cortisol, that is linked to stress is at the lowest in happy people. When this hormone is high, it is linked to high blood pressure, muscle weakness and mood swings.

Happiness can boost the immune system — A study of 350 participants was exposed to the cold virus over two weeks. The result revealed that those with positive emotions developed higher immunity against the cold comparatively.

Happiness Extends Life — A study on catholic nuns revealed that the happiest ones live longer.

Happiness makes you a better person — You find that these are the people that are more creative, more giving, more positive and better to relate with.

So what are you waiting for, pursue your happiness with all that you have? You deserve to be happy, it is your birthright. The Great Book said,

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers 3 John 1:2