Wow… apparently many of us have a problem understanding happiness. Oh, we understand the opposite, just fine! We seem to revel in it, as if “we’re all in this together.” Of course, others might call that co-dependency. How about we unpack “happy.”
Happiness is a state of mind. While it can be fostered, bolstered and prolonged by accomplishments, lucky breaks and material gain, an unhappy person will not achieve happiness through those things. Or ANY thing; it is a state of mind. One must be open to it. And, when possible, one must CHOOSE to be happy. Unless you suffer from actual, clinical depression, then yes, sometimes happiness is a choice.
What is not required for happiness: everything in your life to be perfect. Having everything you want or need. Having every ONE you want or need.
The state of mind that feels envy at the success or gain of friends is not a happy one; a happy mind loves their friends and wants the best for them. They cheer the successes WITH their friends! They connect with them on Facebook and other social media to be WITH them, in a fashion. A happy mind celebrates and nurtures friends and loved ones. That makes us MORE happy! We realize that time, and the moments we love and share ARE fleeting, so we enjoy them all the more! We realize how LUCKY we are to experience them, which makes us happy in retrospect!
Yes, happiness is all about positivity. Yes, I’m a bit of a Polyanna. But a happy one! If you look for the worst and expect the worst, you will GET the worst. In fact, eventually the worst is all you will see. So why not look for the best? We all want other people to see the best in us, so why don’t we look for it and nurture it in THEM? I swear, how anyone could take something as fun, dynamic and wonderful as Facebook and blame it for our own faulty reasoning is beyond me. I’m a room without a roof! If you want love, give love. If you want happiness, then bring happiness. To cop a line, be the change you wish to see.
