The Mindset You Can Adopt to Feel More Joy

Searching for happiness is the one way to ensure you never achieve it.

Have you seen this quote before:

It’s one of my favorites because it’s an excellent reminder. You cannot “arrive” at happiness.

Happiness is a choice.

I’ve observed happiness in what privileged folks would call extreme poverty. I’ve observed pain and suffering among the affluent and supposedly comfortable.

Perspective is everything.

You can’t search for happiness because it’s not a thing to be found. It must be created. Where you are, who you are, what you have, what you’re doing… Bring awareness to the present. What do you like about these areas, and what would you like to change? You can shift your perspective and put forth the effort to make a difference so that you feel more joy more often.

Don’t think happiness lies in a 7-day yoga and tea retreat on the beaches of Bali. Or in a 10-day silent retreat in the mountains. Or a 14-day cruise around the islands of the Caribbean.

Those sound fascinating, though, don’t they?

There’s something each of these examples has in common. I intentionally proposed them this way for a reason. 7 days. 10-days. 14-days. Eventually, the experience must end. The happiness does not exist in the event but within you. That’s why it felt good.

You cannot arrive at happiness because that should not be the goal. The goal is to experience life with as much pleasure and comfort as often as possible. Isn’t that what “happiness” is? Your mission is to find a way to acknowledge joy in your present. That’s the way to attain happiness.

And gratitude will keep you there.

Appreciate what you have.

The best way to lose everything is to not appreciate what you have already. I’ve been around the world and seen poverty in many different versions. Do you know how many people would love to have your problems?

Also, gratitude is the best way to joy and abundance. It’s a cycle of energy you can believe or not, but accepting there’s a force beyond you that reciprocates your energy will equip you with tremendous power. I’m not repeating this from some love-n-light guru (though I love them too. Hey, Mooji!) I’m speaking from experience.

Happiness cannot be achieved. It’s a state of mind.

If you ask if I am happy, I will (honestly) answer yes. Because I choose to be. Is everything going perfectly in my life? No, but life is still pretty great. And I’m enjoying myself — for the most part. There are some parts I’d like to change too, which keep me on my toes. Life is meant to be lived, after all.

May the force be with you. haha

This is part 1 of a happiness message I was inspired to share. I hope you check out the 2nd part too!

Follow me to get notified when I publish something new.

If you’re new to Medium, subscribe for unlimited reads. Thanks, and Cheers!